Discussion in 'Main Forum' started by Andrew, Monday, July 25, 2011.
Avoiding big names means the cost is slashed. The key is the active' ingredient the stuff that actually does the business. And there are many generic products, ie, unbranded or ownbrand, which have the same stuff, but cost much less. Protections and quality control apply equally to all branded and generic products. Of course, my expertise is money, so why take my word for it? Paracetamol, for example, can be found in lots of different named products at different prices. Drugs companies spend millions promoting an only use the name you know' message. This seems eminently sensible after all, health isn't something we take short cuts with. Yet, quite simply, it's a load of marketing baloney. When a company develops a drug, it's given unique rights to sell it for a number of years. Once that ends, any company can make the drug, providing they meet regulations. Most overthecounter drugs have identical medical properties regardless of brand. Alternatively, call 0845 850 0030. Do note if you become eligible for free prescriptions after buying a certificate, you can reclaim the proportional cost for that time. However, you can request it's backdated up to one month earlier, a decent saving if you've just shelled out for a bulk of prescriptions. If you have to pay for a prescription while waiting for your certificate, you can reclaim the cost up to three months after paying. Often it's much cheaper just to buy them this way, rather than paying the 7. The prescription is sometimes cheaper, especially if the doctor provides a bulk prescription, eg, a one or threemonth prescription for specific nondrowsy allergy tablets. But all contain paracetamol. To save money, look at the ingredients on the pack then check the dose and the price. If in doubt, ask the pharmacist. While there isn't a medical difference, the packaging and the design usually differ substantially. Branded drugs are often better packaged, with nicer coloured tablets and better tasting coating. However, swallow a pill with orange juice and you shouldnt notice the difference (although doctors warn against taking pills with grapefruit juice as that can counteract some medications). Everything is done as a private prescription. Never pop into the chemist thinking the price is the same everywhere. Always check one or two other places, as the savings can be enormous. In our research, we found for the mainstays of private prescriptions, online pharmacies and supermarkets tend to be cheapest. Yet it's mainly a question of leg work. Call up or ask in a few places. Save or clear debt, inc. Martin oversees the process with this guide. New to the site? Don't miss out join the 6m who get it emailed! Yet for those on regular prescriptions, it can quickly add up. What you pay depends on where you live. This is an ongoing deal. One of the reasons medicine is often cheap is its near the end of its shelf life. So if you're planning to use over a long time span, do check that first. How legit are they? Avoid websites that provide prescriptiononly medication without asking for a prescription a sure sign they're dodgy. Also see if you're asked questions about the medication; reputable pharmacies will do this. The only other thing to note is, if you have any allergies, always check the other nonactive ingredients too. Don't automatically assume they're the same in a generic product as a branded one. Where should you buy them? The biggest saving is in switching to generic from branded products, regardless of where you shop. However, to finesse even bigger price cuts, try your supermarket. Do remember though, if the price difference isn't too great, buying generic at your local independent pharmacy may help it remain open in the face of stiff competition. Longestever 0% balance transfer deal with 2. This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service. We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content. A false declaration can lead to a fine and prosecution. The short threemonth version costs 29. The 12month version is 104, which works out cheaper if you use 15 or more prescriptions. As a rule of thumb, pay for more than one prescription a month and you'll save. If your condition is consistent, the longer certificate is the better value of the two. Someone getting two prescriptions a month over a year would save 70.
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