Do you ever have to pay out of pocket for your prescription drugs that aren't covered by insurance? Or perhaps your copay has gotten out of control? Are you a coupon clipper? Then there is good news for you. Some pharmaceutical companies are now offering coupons or free trial periods on their most popular patented drugs as part of their direct-to-consumer marketing strategies.
Direct-to-consumer marketing. Marketing directly to consumers through television, print and radio advertising is a controversial topic among healthcare professionals. Some physicians think that direct marketing helps patients take a more active role in their own health care. Other physicians feel that they are under pressure when patients come into their office and ask for a drug that they have seen in an advertisement.
For years, patients, doctors, and legislators have railed against the high cost of prescription medications. Drugs that are not covered under many insurance plans include contraceptives and weight loss and erectile dysfunction medications. Because patients often take these so-called "lifestyle" drugs for extended periods of time, pharmaceutical companies are interested in enticing patients into becoming loyal customers.
Patients save money with generics. Some pharmaceutical companies are under pressure as generic forms of their drug become available to consumers. Generics prompt pharmaceutical companies to offer savings on some of their best selling drugs. Generic drugs often cost less than their name-brand counterparts, making them attractive alternatives. If patients, physicians, and insurance companies find they can save money with a generic equivalent, they will often choose that instead of the name brand.
"The first one is free." The topic of free trials or coupons for drugs is a controversial one for patient advocates. Some argue that a patient may want to continue taking a patented drug after the free trial period, but not be able to pay for it. Patented drugs can carry a high price tag and insurance companies may not be willing to pay if there is a cheaper alternative. This is especially true for newer medications.
The other side of the debate is that the discounted price on medications will be a boon to patients who might not be able to get the drug any other way. Physicians often rely on drug samples or assistance programs for patients who are uninsured and can't afford the out of pocket cost, or whose insurance won't cover the cost of the medication they need. For these patients, a coupon or free sample is a short-term solution. But the larger problem of insurance coverage will remain after the trial period is over.
Caveats on coupons. In order to use the coupons or free trial periods, many pharmaceutical companies ask for some personal information such as name, address, age, and email address. Some coupons are available directly after providing the information, and others are sent in the mail or by email. Of course, a prescription from a physician will still be necessary to obtain the drug from a pharmacy. Some pharmaceutical companies also offer free information kits or newsletters about their drugs which may contain an unadvertised coupon or free trial certificate.
