3. Discount drug programs

Is there a pharmaceutical company discount program for  prescription drugs?

Some pharmaceutical companies have programs to help low-income seniors by providing certain medications at reduced costs. The programs usually have strict income guidelines and offer only small discounts on certain medicines. Still, even small savings on an expensive medicine can add up if someone takes the drug regularly.

To get the reduced price, a patient must register directly with the pharmaceutical company's program. His doctor might also have to fill out papers required for enrollment in the program. And some programs provide the drug to the doctor, who then distributes it to the patient.

Are there any nonprofit or retail prescription drug discount programs a patient could join?

Some nonprofit organizations that cater to seniors or have large numbers of seniors in their membership have programs to help members get discounted prescription drugs. These include both national and state organizations, some connected to a particular professional, union, or fraternal group. There may be a membership fee, plus a co-payment for each prescription, and the total savings for any prescription is probably no more than 10 percent. But a 10 percent discount on an expensive medicine can be significant.

Many large pharmacy chains also set up programs to provide discounted prescription drugs for people with Medicare. These programs usually issue a membership card, which a person must present each time he buys a drug at one of the chain's stores.