9 ways to save on brand-name drugs

Creator: SingleCare
Published: 2023-02-01T09:30:25-05:00

Even if you need an expensive prescription that’s not available as a generic, there are ways to reduce your costs

By Heidi Borst | Feb. 1, 2023 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.

From food and housing to energy and healthcare, the rising cost of living is straining the wallets of Americans nationwide. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices in 2022 increased 9.1% from the prior year, the largest increase in 40 years. What’s more, prescription prices in the United States are significantly higher than in other countries (and even more so with brand-name drugs).

If you take medications regularly to manage a chronic condition like Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, you may be able to take a generic medication to cut costs. But what if only a brand-name medication is available? Read on for 9 ways to save.

How to pay less for brand-name drugs

Just because you need a brand-name drug, doesn’t mean you can’t save. Here are a few strategies that could help you pay less for brand-name medication.

Compare prices
Use a prescription savings card
Split pills
Buy in bulk
Purchase your prescriptions online
Look for manufacturer discounts
Look into drug assistance programs
Enroll in supplemental coverage
Ask your provider to reevaluate your need for the prescription

1. Compare prices

Chances are you have a regular pharmacy that you’re loyal to. But did you know that different pharmacies charge different prices for medications? That’s why it’s always a good idea to check prices at several locations before deciding where to fill your script. You can search for your medication at singlecare.com, then compare prices at pharmacies near you. If you find a lower price than what your pharmacy offers, it never hurts to ask if they’ll match a competitor’s price. Just be sure that your pharmacist knows if you decide to fill a medication at a different pharmacy to get a lower price. It’s important that pharmacy staff know all of the prescriptions you’re taking, so they can screen for drug interactions or other problems.

2. Use a prescription savings card

Using a prescription discount card, like SingleCare, can help you save up to 80% on brand-name drugs—and you can use it even if you have insurance (including government insurance like Medicare or Medicaid). What’s more, you can use the card on refills, too. It’s important to note: When you use your SingleCare card, the pharmacy processes it instead of your insurance, not in conjunction with your plan. Meaning, it won’t help you get out of the Medicare donut hole, or count toward your deductible.

It’s easy to use SingleCare, just search for your medication on our site or use the iOS or Android app—be sure to adjust for your dosage, quantity, and participating pharmacy location!

Print, text, or save the coupon for the pharmacy with the best price.
Bring it to the pharmacy counter when you pick up your prescription.

3. Split pills

Pill splitting is a good strategy to save money on brand-name meds—when approved by your provider. That’s because higher doses of many medications cost around the same amount as lower doses, and many medications can easily be split in half.

For example, if you take a 5 mg dose of a drug, your provider may prescribe you a 10 mg tablet to split in half for two 5 mg doses. However, not all drugs are safe to split, so you should not attempt this savings tactic unless your pharmacist or provider has signed off. If a drug is time-released, sustained, or controlled, it’s not suitable for splitting. Ask your pharmacist to be sure your medication is okay to split. Your pharmacist can also offer guidance on how to split pills correctly using a pill splitter that you can purchase at most pharmacies and online.

If you get the okay to split your pills, don’t split them all at once. The FDA recommends splitting one pill at a time so the medication halves (or quarters) are not affected by environmental factors such as heat, humidity, or moisture.

4. Buy in bulk

If you take the same brand-name medication every day—like contraceptives, SSRIs, or statins—getting a 90-day supply is a good way to decrease your out-of-pocket expense. One study found that switching from a 30- to 90-day supply decreased overall medication costs by 29%. Stella Bard, MD, board-certified rheumatologist in Brooklyn, NY, says that going this route will always be cheaper, but it must be a drug you’ll be taking long-term that does not require dose escalation. So if you’re taking any standard dosage maintenance meds, just ask your provider to write you a 90-day prescription.

5. Buy your scripts online

You may have sworn off online shopping to cut costs, but you might want to make an exception for your medication. Dr. Bard says online and mail-order pharmacies are a good way to pay less for your brand-name scripts. Just be sure that you purchase your meds from a licensed pharmacy in the United States, advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To find a safe and legal pharmacy in your state, visit BeSafeRx by clicking here. You can get home delivery using SingleCare from Capsule—and save even more with our coupons during checkout.

6. Look for manufacturer copay cards

Manufacturer coupons, or copay cards, are often available for expensive brand-name medications directly from the company that makes the drug to help reduce the cost. But to use a copay card, you must have a commercial insurance plan; individuals with Medicare or Medicaid or those who are uninsured cannot use the discounts. To find a manufacturer copay card, visit the drug’s website to see if one is available, paying attention to eligibility requirements.

7. Look into prescription assistance programs

When it comes to lowering brand-name prescription costs, prescription assistance programs (PAPs) can make a big difference, says Dr. Bard. These programs are run by pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, and state programs to help those who are uninsured or underinsured obtain free or low-cost medications that they otherwise couldn’t afford. The eligibility requirements vary by program.

Drug company assistance programs:

Non-profit assistance programs:

Government assistance programs:

Extra Help (Social Security Administration)
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)
Medicare Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
National Council on Aging

8. Enroll in supplemental coverage

Supplemental health insurance is an insurance plan that helps pay for the cost of copays, deductibles, and coinsurance that are not covered by your main health insurance plan. Types of supplemental coverage include dental, vision, hospital, accident, long-term care, disability, and Medicare supplemental plans. If you have employer-provided health insurance, check with your insurance provider to find out more about supplemental insurance options. While often supplemental coverage doesn’t cover prescriptions directly, it may be used to pay for medications if you’re diagnosed with a covered illness or accident. If you have Medicare, enrolling in the optional Medicare Part D can help cover the cost of brand-name drugs.

9. Ask your provider to reevaluate your need for the medication

There’s no reason to take a medication that’s no longer needed, says Dr. Bard, so be sure to regularly check in with your doctor about all of your prescriptions. Having a regularly scheduled medication review with your primary care physician (at least once a year) can help to ensure that you’re only taking medications that are necessary; for example, a brand-name drug you’re taking might now have a generic, or if you’ve lowered your cholesterol through diet and exercise, you may no longer need to take cholesterol-reducing medication.

No matter the savings option you choose, just be sure that high prices aren’t stopping you from taking a medication that you need. Speak with your provider about options rather than forgoing treatment.