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Benefits of Shopping for Prescription Medication

September 13, 2017

Drug Costs

In The News

GREENVILLE N.C. (WNCT) – Pharmacy prices can differ from store to store and should be treated like buying a car.

Most people think of just going to the pharmacy closest to them instead of looking around for their medication.

When in reality, it can differ by sometimes a significant amount.

There are different ways that you can go about finding these prices.

Certain apps will bring up every pharmacy within a number of miles of your current location.

From there, you type in the medication that you’re looking for and all of the prices will come up right in front of you.

A creator of one of those apps says he looks for the cheapest prices for everything else – so why not do it for our medication.

“Any pharmacies have an in store savings program for low cost drugs,” said Shawn Ohri, creator of ScriptSave WellRx. “But it doesn’t mean all drugs are low cost at that pharmacy, they’re bringing in a good number of prescriptions at a low cost but there may be others that don’t have a low cost.”

You can find apps like this in the Apple Store or the Google Play Store.

Some are free and others require a subscription.

9 On Your Side looked up some of the top medications used in Greenville and found a difference of almost $30 in some of the different locations, showing it really does work to look before you shop.

Top 10 Drugs (non-controls)		Greenville, NC
Reporting Period: Jan 2017 – June 2017
Date Prepared: 07/27/2017

Rank	Drug	Lowest Pharmacy
1	AMLODIPINE BESYLATE	Harris Teeter Pharmacy
2	Generic form of Norvasc (High blood pressure, chest pain) ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM	Hometown Discount Pharmacy of Greenville
3	Generic form of Lipitor (High Cholesterol) HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE	Harris Teeter Pharmacy
4	Waterpill/Diuretic (High blood pressure and fluid retention) METOPROLOL SUCCINATE	Rite Aid Pharmacy
5	Generic form of Toprol (High blood pressure, chest pain, and heart failure) GABAPENTIN	Rite Aid Pharmacy
6	Generic form of Neurontin (Nerve pain medication – very common) METOPROLOL TARTRATE	Walmart Pharmacy
7	Generic form of Lopressor (High blood pressure, chest pain, and heart failure) LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM	Walmart Pharmacy
8	Generic form of Synthroid (Thyroid hormone) SERTRALINE HCL	Harris Teeter Pharmacy
9	Generic form of Zoloft (Anxiety/Deperession) LISINOPRIL	Harris Teeter Pharmacy
10	Very common heart failure / high blood pressure medication. PREDNISONE Steroid used for inflammation.	Walmart Pharmacy

Save on the Go

For your convenience, use the ScriptSave^® WellRx mobile app. Now savings are well in hand, right at the pharmacy counter. Save on your family's prescription medicines.

Learn More

Get a Prescription Discount Card

Your choice. Get a ScriptSave WellRx Savings Card. Or Download the free mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store

Get A Card

Grocery Guidance

ScriptSave WellRx Grocery Guidance leverages leading-edge nutritional data science to help you know which food products on your grocery store shelf are truly good for YOU.

Healthy Foods For You

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Struggling to afford your medications? Search to compare the cash price at pharmacies near you. You may find prices lower than your insurance co-pay!

Prescription prices may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy and are subject to change. The pricing estimates given are based on the most recent information available and may change based on when you actually fill your prescription at the pharmacy.

DISCOUNT ONLY - NOT INSURANCE. Discounts are available exclusively through participating pharmacies. The range of the discounts will vary depending on the type of prescription and the pharmacy chosen. This program does not make payments directly to pharmacies. Members are required to pay for all prescription purchases. Cannot be used in conjunction with insurance. You may contact customer care anytime with questions or concerns, to cancel your registration, or to obtain further information. This program is administered by Medical Security Card Company, LLC, Tucson, AZ.

*Average and up to savings percentages are based on all discounted prescriptions that were run through the WellRx program in 2022. Discount percentages represent savings provided off of pharmacies’ retail prices for consumers who do not have a discount program and pay cash.

The day supply is based upon the average dispensing patterns for the specific drug and strength. The Program, as well as the prices and the list of covered drugs, can be modified at any time without notice.