Prescription Drug Costs & Savings

The drugs you see advertised on TV are usually brand-name medications with high list prices — but almost nobody has to pay the list price. Here's how prescription pricing works, the proven ways to pay less, and cost guides for every drug we track.

6 ways to pay less for a prescription

Check your insurance formulary

Your plan's formulary lists which drugs are covered and at what tier. A covered alternative in the same class can cost a fraction of a non-covered brand. If a drug you need isn't covered, your doctor can often request a formulary exception.

Ask about a generic

Once a drug's patent expires, generics with the same active ingredient typically cost far less. Your pharmacist can tell you whether one exists and your doctor can approve the switch.

Use a free pharmacy discount card

Discount cards like GoodRx and SingleCare negotiate cash prices that are often below the insurance copay, especially for generics. They're free, and the price can differ a lot between pharmacies in the same town.

Look for a manufacturer copay card

Drug makers offer copay cards for many advertised brands that can cut commercially-insured patients' out-of-pocket cost sharply. Check the manufacturer's official website for the drug's savings program.

Ask about patient-assistance programs

If you're uninsured or on a low income, most large manufacturers run patient-assistance programs that provide medications at reduced or no cost to those who qualify.

Talk to your doctor about alternatives

Often several drugs treat the same condition at very different prices. If cost is a burden, say so — doctors can frequently prescribe an equally appropriate, less expensive option.

Compare pharmacy prices for free

The same prescription can have very different cash prices at pharmacies in the same area. Free discount cards let you compare before you fill:

Compare prices on GoodRx Compare prices on SingleCare

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Cost guides by drug

Every drug in our catalog has a dedicated cost & savings guide: why its price varies, whether a generic exists, and the best ways to save on it.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are TV-advertised drugs so expensive?

Most drugs advertised on TV are newer, brand-name medications that are still under patent, so there is no generic competition yet. Manufacturers spend heavily on advertising precisely because these drugs carry high prices — but insurance, copay cards and discount cards mean most people pay far less than the list price.

What is the difference between a copay card and a discount card?

A manufacturer copay card comes from the drug's maker and lowers your out-of-pocket cost when you have commercial insurance. A pharmacy discount card (like GoodRx or SingleCare) is free for anyone and lowers the cash price at the pharmacy — useful if you're uninsured or your plan doesn't cover the drug. You can't usually combine either with government insurance like Medicare.

Is the generic version really the same drug?

Generic medications must contain the same active ingredient, strength and dosage form as the brand and meet the same regulatory standards. They usually cost dramatically less. Ask your pharmacist or doctor whether a generic is available and appropriate for your prescription.

How do I find out what a specific drug costs?

Pick the drug from the list on this page — each cost page explains why prices vary for that medication, whether a generic exists, and the common ways to save, with links to compare discount-card prices at pharmacies near you.