Needing a prescription drug should not be a matter of cost, but unfortunately it is. With the cost of prescription drugs at unreachable heights the under and uninsured individuals of the world often do without their medication, both ordinary and life saving. What many people doing without their prescribed medications do not realize is that there are opportunities for prescription discounts in a number of different places.

State Assistance

Many people are eligible for state assistance programs that will help them with their medical costs, including prescription drugs costs. Naturally, there are the obvious programs such as medicare and medicaid. However, other programs may exist through state assistance. Your state government website or county social service office can help direct you to prescription drug programs that you are eligible for.

Patient Assistant Programs

One of the best ways to get discounts on your prescription drugs is through patient assistance programs. These programs are operated by the major pharmaceutical companies like Glaxo, Astra Zeneca, and Pfizer. These programs provide prescription drugs to individuals without insurance for free or low cost. These programs cover some of the most widely prescribed popular prescription drugs on the market and the programs are not government run.

The patient prescription assistance programs work in a fairly easy way. A person in need of a certain drug can go online to the drug manufacturer's website and find out if they offer prescriptions assistance for the drug. They call also call the pharmaceutical company directly. They will either print an application or request that an application be sent to them. They will then take the application for prescription assistance to their prescribing physician. Most of these programs require that your doctor complete and mail in the form on your behalf. Once your application is approved the drugs will either be mailed to you or dispensed to your physician. In addition, most patient assistance programs require that you reapply every few months.

Discount Prescription Cards

There are many groups that offer prescription discount cards. These cards allow the card holder to get a percentage off prescription drugs when they take the script to be filled at the pharmacy. The percentage off varies and is based on the actual drug in question. Some of these prescription discount cards are based on member ship to programs like AARP. However, others are provided to people who have no insurance for free, like the Together Rx Access program.