How Clinicians Can Assist Patients with Unaffordable Prescription Drug Costs

With prescription drug costs continuing to climb in the U.S., physicians are often on the front lines of helping patients afford essential medications. In a recent article, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) offers a useful compilation of strategies – geared mainly toward clinicians – on how to best support patients when they find their prescription comes with a surprising price tag. Here, we summarize JAMA’s recommendations: from working with patients to prescribe a lower-cost therapeutic alternative to utilizing tools like NeedyMeds.org and PharmacyChecker.com, there are paths to savings on both brand and generic prescriptions. 

JAMA Patient Resource: Strategies to Help Patients Afford Their Medicines in the US

For expensive brand drugs yet to face generic competition, JAMA highlights PharmacyChecker.com as a trusted resource to find vetted international online pharmacies. PharmacyChecker’s International Pharmacy Verification Program (IPVP) has made our price comparisons a valuable tool for patients and clinicians looking to compare drug costs across licensed and verified pharmacies located abroad. Using PharmacyChecker.com helps patients avoid risky or fake online options. Each PharmacyChecker-accredited online pharmacy is licensed, requires prescriptions, checks for drug interactions, discloses dispensing partnerships, and maintains a secure website, among other requirements of the IPVP. PharmacyChecker.com also includes price comparisons aggregated from several discount coupon providers across the United States, which JAMA recommends as a means to save on generic drugs. 

Related: PharmacyChecker Recognized by JAMA as Key Resource for Finding Reputable Online Pharmacies 

General Drug Savings Strategies

The following suggestions are based on the algorithm published by JAMA. 

1. Real-time prescription benefit tools 

If available, please consult a real-time prescription benefit tool to review your patient’s drug coverage and to estimate patient out-of-pocket costs at the time of prescribing. JAMA recommends prescribing the preferred drug on the patient’s insurance formulary if it is therapeutically equivalent and less costly to the patient. If affordability is still out of reach, consult the following resources.

2. Public Assistance Programs (for low-income patients)

Medicare Extra Help, Medicaid, and state-sponsored programs.

Generic drug savings strategies

3. Direct-to-consumer pharmacies 

Amazon Pharmacy, Costco, Health Warehouse, Mark Cuban Cost Plus, and Walmart are examples of direct-to-consumer pharmacies.

4. Pharmacy Discount Coupons

PharmacyChecker can be used to compare pharmacy discount coupons offered by several discount providers in your patient’s area.

Other organizations that offer discount coupons: GoodRx, RxSaver, and SingleCare

Brand drug savings strategies

5. Manufacturer Copayment Cards 

NeedyMeds is a nonprofit organization that aggregates copay cards from drug manufacturer websites.

6. Patient Assistance Programs 

NeedyMeds and RxAssist aggregate manufacturer patient assistance program information.

HealthWell Foundation and Patient Access Network Foundation are among the foundations that provide patient assistance.

7. International Online Pharmacies

PharmacyChecker can be used to find a reputable online pharmacy that can supply high-quality prescription drugs.

Key Takeaway 

Helping patients afford their medications can be challenging, but tools like PharmacyChecker and JAMA’s strategies provide impactful solutions. By exploring options such as real-time prescription tools, copay cards, and reputable international online pharmacies, clinicians can empower patients to access their medications at a manageable cost.