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If you purchase prescription medicines in any great quantity - be it for chronic conditions or a large family - it's definitely worth your while to investigate options beyond simply throwing down the prescription, and the cash, at the local pharmacy every time.
If the prescription is only going to be filled once but is expensive, it's worth asking for "physician's samples," especially if it's a relatively new drug. Manufacturers give lots of "freebies" to doctors, and the odds are good that he or she might have the entire quantity of your prescription in the office in the form of free samples. It's also definitely worth asking for samples if you're not sure if the drug will work: if there are a lot of options in the particular category of medication, as is the case with birth control pills and anti-depressants, for example, you should be able to test the waters, so to speak, and at least find out if the side effects are ones you'll be able to tolerate before paying for an entire prescription.
For long-term, repeated prescriptions that you know you're going to need refills of, it's worth checking with your insurer to see if there are any quantity discounts. Some HMOs have in-house mail-order pharmacies that will fill a two-month supply of a drug (usually generic) for the price of one; these are frequently not well advertised but still available - call your insurer and ask what options are available for reducing prescription costs.
Regarding "generic" drugs: these are almost always the cheaper option. The only difference between a brand-name drug and its generic equivalent is the "filler" - the non-drug components that make up the pill. There are rare cases in which persons may find themselves sensitive to the fillers in a generic but not the brand name (or vice versa). If this is the case, discuss it with your doctor - it may be possible for him to explain to your insurer that you need the brand name drug, and have your insurer reimburse you at the same rate used for the generic.
Don't hesitate to tell your doctor when the cost of medication becomes a problem; it is a common one, and your doctor's office should be an invaluable source of advice when it comes to tracking down prescription drug discounts. If you don't have insurance, it is often possible to opt into buying plans that offer substantial discounts - there are many national ones that offer a variety of birth control pills for a very small fee with membership.
There are some manufacturers who will donate needed prescription drugs for free to low-income patients with a demonstrated need. Yours might fall into this category, and it's worth investigating. Usually, your doctor will contact the drug company on your behalf. This is admittedly not common, but there are several surprisingly generous exceptions: the company that markets the strongest anti-acne medication (which normally costs upwards of $100 per month) has a program in place to distribute the drug (through doctors) for free to patients who wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise.
Finally, the growth of on-line pharmacies is a boon for the consumer, as competition and easy price comparisons are forcing lower drug prices. While the ideal is to have all your prescriptions come from the same pharmacy for the sake of checks and balances with regards to drug interactions, this may not always be ideal financially. If a drug is substantially cheaper elsewhere, buy it there - telling the new pharmacist what medications you're already on - and don't hesitate to tell the original pharmacy why you were forced to take your business elsewhere. The same applies if you are switching insurers due to poor prescription coverage: medicine is part of medical care, and you have a right to be properly taken care of. Don't be afraid to speak up!
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