Price Match Your Meds: Tip-of-the-Day #157

DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR PHARMACY TO PRICE MATCH!

Now that there are generic programs offering far better pricing on otherwise expensive prescriptions, your pharmacist may be willing to negotiate. No joke. If you're thinking about switching to a generic prescription program, don't do so without asking your current pharmacy to match the price first.

Wal-Mart introduced the $4-a-month generic prescription program back in 2006 (as mentioned in one of my earlier posts) and then other chains quickly began to offer the same kind of plan.

Start by asking your physician whether any of the meds you take have generic equivalents. Check to see if they're part of the reduced-price generic programs at Wal-Mart, Target and other stores. The drug lists vary; some stores may have one of your drugs but not all of them, even if they're very common medications.

If you find any of the drugs you take on these lists, then ask (politely) for a price match from your current pharmacy. The worst that can happen is that they'll say "no." If they do, then feel free to transfer. And if they say "yes," then you can keep all your meds in one place and not have to use extra gas, or extra time, driving from store to store.

You should however keep your eyes peeled for new/transfer prescription offers, good for non-generics and also for short-term medications. Pharmacies really do want your business, and they frequently offer gift cards to get people to switch. If the price of medication at the new drugstore is comparable to what you're paying, then the gift card can be considered profit!