Saving Money on Prescriptions
Drug therapy, or treating diseases with pharmaceuticals rather than more invasive techniques, is a popular and cost-effective way of managing both temporary and chronic conditions. The cost and convenience of treating hypertension with generic drugs, for example, is far superior to treating a stroke later on. Americans in particular have been receptive, very willing to treat their conditions with pharmaceuticals.
Your doctor can help you determine if drug therapy is the most appropriate way for you to treat a disease or condition. Often, they will recommend preventative measures as a first step. For example, you may try to lower cholesterol through diet and lifestyle changes prior to using a drug. If lifestyle changes don't work, drug therapy is often the next best option.
From a cost perspective, not all drugs are created equal. The cost of some high-end drugs can be hundreds of dollars per injection. For more common illnesses, however, a savvy patient/doctor team can often find the right drug therapy for just pennies a day.
As a good healthcare consumer, educate yourself on the differences between brand name and generic drugs. Also, take advantage of a growing trend of low-cost retail suppliers of common drugs, something which is increasingly allowing cost to not be a factor in determining if drugs are right for a particular situation.