How to save money on prescriptions: 7 ways to pay less

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 9 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Step pictures

5 of 9 steps, our drawings

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2, linked below

This page follows MedlinePlus, the health site of the US National Library of Medicine, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The programmes named are those of the United States.

This is general information for readers in the United States, not medical or financial advice. Never stop, skip or change a medicine to save money without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist first.

Step by step

1. Ask for the generic

   Generic medicines are copies of brand-name medicines and contain the same medicine. The FDA says approved generics work in the same way and provide the same clinical benefit and risks.

   Done

2. See why generics are cheaper

   The FDA links a single generic competitor to prices 30 percent lower, and five competing generics to prices nearly 85 percent lower.

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3. Ask about a cheaper equivalent

   If there is no generic, ask about a therapeutic equivalent: a different drug formula that treats the same condition and may work just as well.

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4. Ask before you split pills

   You may be able to order a double strength and split the pills in half. Do not split pills without talking with your provider first: some medicines may be harmful if split.

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5. Order a 90-day supply by mail

   With a mail-order pharmacy you can order a 90-day supply and may have a lower copay. Not everything on the internet is safe, so check with your health plan or provider before you buy.

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6. Look for a patient assistance programme

   Some pharmaceutical companies offer these programmes; you may get a discount card and free or low-cost medicines. The websites NeedyMeds and RxAssist help you find one for the medicines you take.

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7. Aged 65 or older: Medicare Part D

   If you are 65 or older, look into supplemental medicine coverage, Medicare Part D.

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8. Do not buy from foreign countries

   Do not buy medicines from foreign countries to save money. Their quality and safety are not known.

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9. Talk to your pharmacist

   Your pharmacist can look out for you, recommend ways to save money and help keep your medicines safe.

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Good to know

Related: how to make a budget.

The pictures on this page are our own drawings, not photos. Every rule comes from the sources below.

In short: Generic first, then a cheaper equivalent, a 90-day mail-order supply, an assistance programme or Medicare Part D. Ask before splitting pills, and do not buy from abroad.