Prescription drug prices in the United States are among the highest in the world. According to the RAND Corporation, Americans pay roughly 2.78 times what people in other developed countries pay for the same medications. But there are concrete steps you can take to lower your costs, sometimes dramatically.
1. Ask for the Generic
This is the simplest and most effective step. Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications and are held to the same FDA standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.
The savings are significant: according to the FDA, generics cost 80-85% less than their brand-name equivalents on average. Yet many people take brand-name drugs when a generic is available, either because they were not offered the option or because the prescription was written for the brand name.
What to do: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic version of your medication is available. If your prescription says "Dispense as Written" (DAW), ask your doctor if the brand-name requirement is medically necessary. In most cases, it is not.
2. Compare Prices Across Pharmacies
Drug prices can vary enormously between pharmacies — even those in the same neighborhood. A 2023 study from the University of Southern California found that cash prices for common generics varied by as much as 1,000% between pharmacies in the same city.
What to do: Before filling a prescription, check prices at multiple pharmacies. Do not assume your usual pharmacy has the best price. Independent pharmacies, warehouse clubs (like Costco, where you do not need a membership to use the pharmacy), and mail-order pharmacies often have lower prices than large chain drugstores.
3. Use Prescription Discount Programs
Several programs offer free discount cards or coupons that can lower your out-of-pocket cost, sometimes below your insurance copay. These include GoodRx, RxSaver, and similar services.
Important note: When you use a discount card instead of your insurance, the payment does not count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. This matters if you are close to meeting either threshold. Compare both prices before deciding.
What to do: Check discount program prices for your medication and dosage. If the discount price is lower than your insurance copay, use the discount. If you are close to meeting your deductible, it may be better to use your insurance even if the immediate cost is higher.
4. Look Into Patient Assistance Programs
Most major pharmaceutical manufacturers offer Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that provide medications for free or at reduced cost to people who qualify. Eligibility is typically based on income, insurance status, and the specific medication.
What to do: Visit the manufacturer's website for your medication and look for their patient assistance program. You can also search the database at NeedyMeds.org or the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Your doctor's office may need to help with the application.
5. Ask About Therapeutic Alternatives
If your specific medication is expensive, there may be a different drug in the same therapeutic class that works just as well but costs significantly less. For example, there are multiple statin medications for cholesterol, and they vary widely in price.
What to do: Ask your doctor: "Is there a less expensive medication that would work the same way for my condition?" Doctors are often willing to switch to a therapeutic alternative when the clinical evidence supports it.
6. Consider Mail-Order and 90-Day Supplies
Many insurance plans offer lower per-pill prices for 90-day supplies compared to 30-day supplies, especially through mail-order pharmacies. The convenience is an added benefit — you get your medication delivered and only need to reorder four times a year.
What to do: Check whether your insurance plan offers a mail-order pharmacy option with reduced copays for 90-day supplies. Even without insurance, buying a 90-day supply is often cheaper per pill than a 30-day supply.
7. Check for Medicare Part D Extra Help
If you are on Medicare and have limited income and resources, the Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) program can significantly reduce your prescription costs. Qualifying individuals pay no more than $4.50 for generics and $11.20 for brand-name drugs (2026 figures).
What to do: Apply through the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. Even if you think your income is too high, the eligibility thresholds are more generous than many people expect.
How Lysco Can Help
Lysco's prescription savings finder searches for lower-cost alternatives, generic options, and discount program pricing for your specific medications. Upload your prescription or enter the drug name at lysco.com to see your options.
Sources: RAND Corporation (International Prescription Drug Price Comparisons, 2024), FDA Office of Generic Drugs, University of Southern California Schaeffer Center, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Extra Help program).