Drug inflation has far outpaced the national inflation rate for several years with some drug prices increasing over 15% in a given year. Combined with increased utilization of newer and more expensive brand name drugs most seniors spend between $2000 and $3000 yearly on average. If you have insurance this may not be problematic. However, there are a large number of seniors that do not have prescription drug insurance or the insurance has large deductibles or coverage gaps like Medicare Part D. This can make paying for prescription medications a hardship. At ElderDrugs we are dedicated to providing accurate guidance on medication use to assist you with the safe, effective and affordable use of your medications. Here are some principles that should guide medication use in older adults and can help reduce your costs while still maintaining your health.

1) Always learn more about the condition in which the drug is being prescribed BEFORE you start taking it. In many cases there are non-drug methods to manage the condition.

2) Always ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible drug interactions as they are frequently the cause of hospital admissions due to adverse effects.

3) Ask if there is a generic drug in the class of medications the doctor is prescribing. For example, Lipitor can sometimes be changed to simvastatin to successfully lower cholesterol at a much lower cost.

4) Consider having the doctor write a prescription for twice the dose and cut the tablets in half. For example, 80mg of simvastatin can be cut in half to get a 40mg dose, at almost half the cost! Note: Some medications can NOT be cut in half because they may be sustained release and cutting them could affect absorption. Always consult your pharmacist first.

5) Always have your physician and pharmacist review your medications on an annual basis in order to determine if all of them are still needed. Circumstances may have changed that could suggest discontinuing a drug or two.

In summary, medications are the most affordable and efficient form of healthcare at only 10% of all health care costs. However, when mismanaged they can cause harm and increase your costs. Consult with an expert today if you take more than four medications as this is a risk factor for falls, memory impairment or other serious adverse drug events.