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Perscription Drug Info
The publisher of Consumer Reports has launched a free Web site, which gives information as to their rated "best buys" for prescription drugs and in some cases over-the-counter alternatives. Go to http://www.consumerreports.org/ and click on Best Buy Drugs.

Tips for savings on prescription drugs:
  1. Always ask your physician if there is a generic equivalent. T he savings over brand-name drubs are often as much a 70%.
  2. Check the costs of your prescriptions at several pharmacies as well as stores like Costco, Wal-Mart and Target. Even different stores in the same chain hav e varying prices. After collecting this information go to your local or most convenient pharmacy and ask to speak to the owner
     
    or head pharmacist. Show the lower costs and ask if they can be met.
  3. Ask your physician to prescribe a larger dosage of prescriptions that can be split.(some can and some can't). Buy a pill splitter and cut the pill in half. Often the cost of a higher dosage is only slightly more than a dosage of half the milligrams. . Some typical savings 33% on Lipitor, 46% on Paxial, 41% on Klonopin according U.S. News & World report research.
  4. Purchase mail order prescriptions from reputable mail order pharmacies. You will often have to order 3 month supplies, but the savings are usually worth it.
  5. Purchase prescriptions from reliable licensed Canadian pharmacies. There have not been any cases of bogus or unsafe drugs being shipped from licensed pharmacies in Canada.
On line pharmacies
According to the National Consumers League, four on line pharmacies have received NABP certification.
http://www.cvs.com/
http://www.drugstore.com/
http://www.medco.com/
http://www.planetrx.com/

Comparison shopping for prescription drugs:
http://www.pillbot.com/
http://www.pharmacychecker.com/
http://corp.destinationrx.com/
http://www.safemedicines.org/issue.html

Drug interaction checker
Drug interaction checker, search function on 24,000 drugs, drug news, FDA actions http://www.cornellcares.com/.
 
This site also allows you to download information on psychosocial as well as financial issues related to the elderly. http://www.drugs.com/
Information on health: http://www.health.nih.gov/
Senior health issues: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
Drug alerts: http://www.emedicine.com/
Symptoms: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/
A to Z index of health topics: http://www.cdc.gov/
List of resources on new Medicare drug benefit http://kff.org/medicare/rxdrugdebate.cfm
Lists patient assistance programs: http://www.needymeds.com/  
  
Warning Vitamin E
Recent research has shown that taking large amounts of vitamin E supplement can cause internal bleeding if you are also taking popular blood-thinning drugs.
 
Warning Cholesterol Lowering Medications
Research has shown that some cholesterol lowering medications in combination with certain heart medications or antidepressants--or even grapefruit juice-can cause muscle breakdown.
 
Warning Diabetes and Antipsychotic Drugs
Older people with diabetes who start taking antipsychotic medications could be at a greater risk of hospitalization for elevated blood sugar levels.
 
Prescription drug coverage                                                                                                            
To get more information on the 4 Parts of Medicare, Part A (Hospitalization), Part B (Medical Insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans), Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your health care. Click on the following links.
http://freeseniorcitizenssolutions.com/medicare.html
http://freeseniorcitizenssolutions.com/medicare-prescription-drug-coverage.html
 
Canadian Pharmacies
There are a number of Canadian pharmacies where you can order prescription drugs generally at a substantial discount to the costs of these drugs in the United States; however careful evaluation of these pharmacies should be made prior to ordering.

Reputable Canadian pharmacies use the following safety and service standards:
  1. They display the pharmacy's license number and name of the authority that granted it. Canadian pharmacies are licensed and regulated by the College of Pharmacy in each province. Consumers can call them to verify pharmacies' status.
  2. They require patients to provide a doctor's prescription, which will be reviewed by a Canadian doctor as required by Canadian law. (Sites that say prescriptions are not needed are risky.)
  3. They require patients to submit details of their medical history. 
  4. They provide the pharmacy's mailing address and a telephone number that patients can call to speak with a pharmacist or ask questions about the service. (Sites that allow only e-mail contact are suspect.) 
Free Prescription Drug Brochure
To get a copy of a free brochure "Prescription Drug Options" Managing Your Medicines call The Elder Care Locator at 1-800-677-1176.

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