Big differences in medications’ prices found at pharmacies.

ABC News (3/28, Moisse) reports in its “Medical Unit” blog that a study by Consumer Reports found that “a little research can save you a lot of cash on prescription drugs.” After checking over 200 pharmacies, the magazine found that the cost of a month’s supply of Actos (Pioglitazone), Lexapro (Escitalopram), Lipitor (Atorvastatin), Plavix (Clopidogrel), and Singulair (Montelukast) “varied by as much as $749.” Lisa Gill, prescription drugs editor for Consumer Reports, said, “One of the big takeaways is that you have to ask for the best price and see if your pharmacist will work with you.” Tips for getting the best value include getting generics, asking for a better deal, going to rural pharmacies, seeking discounts for multi-month supplies, and checking for discount generic-drug programs.

CBS News (3/29, Jaslow) reports the magazine found “Costco had the lowest prescription prices”; for instance Lipitor cost $17 for a month’s supply there, compared to $126 at CVS. Similarly, “a month supply of generic Lexapro cost $7 a month at Costco and $126 at CVS, with the shoppers also reporting high prices on average at grocery stores, Rite Aid and Walgreens.”

Also covering this story are Reuters (3/29, Sherman), HealthDay (3/29), the Cleveland Plain Dealer (3/29, Suchetka, 315K), and the Puget Sound Business Journal (3/29, Subscription Publication).

Related Links:

— “Cheap Prescription Drug Secrets Revealed By Consumer Group, ” Katie Moisse, ABC News, March 28, 2013.

Posted in In The News.