Senior News December, 2003 Vol. 24. No. 12

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

New donations will feed frail seniors seven meals a week

Task force looks at ways to protect seniors from multiple Rx interactions

Twenty issues rise to level of priority for seniors

Many qualify for food stamps

First anniversary of veggie meals

HSU Over-60 Program still the best deal for seniors

Saving money by using over-the-counter medications

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Ask HICAP
Saving money by using over-the-counter medications
by Anne Antoville

In June 2003 the FDA approved the sale of Prilosec as a non-prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drug. The OTC approval of Prilosec follows the OTC approval of Claritin last fall. Proctor & Gamble, the company that manufactures Prilosec, plans to spend $100 million to market OTC Prilosec.

Will buying OTC medications save you money? 

If your doctor prescribes 20mg Prilosec it will cost about $4 a pill, while generic Omeprazole costs about $3 a pill. The OTC 20mg Prilosec costs about 70¢ a pill. 

If you have a Medigap plan H, I or J and you have already met your yearly deductible, the prescription Prilosec or prescription Omeprazole would be at no cost although the cost of the drug would use your prescription benefits. 

If you have an employer or retiree supplement insurance that pays co-pays for prescription drugs, your co-payments for the prescribed medication, especially for the prescribed generic brand, may be less than the out- of-pocket cost for the OTC drug.

OTC Medications and Safety
The American Pharmaceutical Association has the following recommendations for all OTC drugs:

• If you are already taking other medication, always check with your doctor and pharmacist before taking any OTC drugs.

• Always let your doctor know all prescriptions, OTC drugs and herbal supplements you are taking. Report any side effects or problems.

• Consider using one pharmacy for all your prescriptions and OTC drugs.

• Read the labels on OTC drugs for interaction information and proper dose information. 

For more information on OTC safety you can use the following web sites: www.pharmacyandyou.org, www.americangeriatrics.org, www.fda.gov.

Medication Assistance Programs may save money
You may qualify for free or low cost medications through pharmaceutical company programs if you are single and your income is $1,000 to $1,800 a month, or if you are married and your income is $1,340 to $2,500 a month. Call HICAP for assistance with eligibility and applications at 707-443-9747 in Humboldt County or 707-464-5500 in Del Norte County. 

Anne Antoville is program manager for HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program of the Area Agency on Aging.