Discount Drug Cards

There are many different types of drug discount cards. Some offer significant savings while others are not a good deal. Drug company discount cards offer discounts only for certain medications while others offer a wide range of discounts. You may find it best to use certain cards for some medications and others for other medications.

1. The NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card

   NeedyMeds offers a drug discount card that provides a savings up to 80% on many medicines. The card is free and open to everyone. There is no registration and your entire family can use the same card. To download a card and learn more about its benefits click HERE.

2. Drug Company Discount Card

   Pfizer Pfriends
   This is a discount card for many Pfizer prescription medications for people with no prescription insurance.

   Together Rx Access Card
   This discount card for prescription medicines from many companies is available to people with no insurance coverage for medicine.

3. Drug Company Cards for Medicare Part D Enrollees

   AZ & Me Prescription Savings Program for People with Medicare Part D
   This card for AstraZeneca drugs is for Medicare Part D recipients.

   GSK Access
   This card that provides GlaxoSmithKline medicines for patients on Medicare Part D who have spent $600.

4. State Discount Cards

   Many states sponsor discount drug cards for low-income residents. Click HERE to look for programs in your state.

Common Questions about Discount Drug Cards

Q: What are drug discount cards?
A: Discount drug cards offer discounts on various medical services including medicine. They are not a form of insurance. Some are free while others may involve a hefty fee. They are offered by state governments, drug companies, non-profit and for-profit businesses.

Q: How do I pick a discount drug card?
A: Carefully evaluate any and all costs involved, such as handling or shipping fees The fee may add up to more than the discount. When using a free card, it is still important to consider the cost of your medicine - you should always do comparative shopping. Speak with a representative of the plan about concerns and to check if your medicine is included. If you have several plans or cards, your local pharmacist will usually tell you the least expensive way to get your medicine.

Q. Do some stores have pharmacy discount cards?
A: Yes, many larger chains offer medicine discounts to their customers. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club and others, for example, offer some generic prescriptions for $4. These programs do not usually include all generics. Again, the pharmacist should be able to help you pick the least expensive way to buy your medicine.

Q: How much will a card cost?
A: While some cards are free, others have annual fees that range from $12 to as high as $100. Some companies that advertise free medicine have a "processing fee" for each prescription.

Q: How much will I save if I use one of these cards?
A: The discounts offered vary widely from 0-80% depending on the program, the drugstore and the prescription medicine being purchased.

Q: Will the discount card always give me the lowest price?
A: You may pay more for some brand name medicine, even with a discount, than you would pay for the generic version or you may find the medicine for a lower cost at a different pharmacy.

Q: Will all my medicines be discounted?
A: Not necessarily. This is a consideration if you are paying a fee. Contact the program to see what medicine is available before making a payment.

Q: What precautions should I take when choosing a discount drug card?
Ask the following questions about the discount card:

1. Is there a contact or customer service number that I can call in case of problems?
2. What is the refund policy on fees?
3. If I am being asked to send money, am I certain my medicine is available at a discount?
4. Is the medicine I need available at no or low-cost through a patient assistance program? (Usually, this would be the better option. Click on Patient Assistance Programs in the menu at the left to learn more)
5. Are my drugs provided through a mail-order or a walk-in pharmacy? If it's a walk-in, is there one close to me? If it is a mail-order pharmacy, are there additional handling and shipping costs?