Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com

Many Americans who worry about paying for drugs cut corners dangerously instead of speaking with their doctors about lower-cost options, a study found. 

A physician can help compare different options for treating a medical condition. That information could prevent some dangerous actions people are taking to save money as the recession continues.

Some adults let prescriptions go unfilled, skip dosages, and even cut pills in half without a doctor's approval, according to Consumer Reports. Currently, only 4 percent of Americans bend their doctor's ear about cost-effective medical treatments.

"We were surprised by the extent to which consumers are cutting corners and the risks they're taking as a result of belt-tightening," said Dr. John Santa, director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. "Most importantly, patients need to talk to their doctors about the cost of drugs and let them know when they have difficulty paying for prescriptions."

A separate study found recently that one in five boomers worry about health costs. Yet, about 66 percent of adults don't know the cost of a drug until they pick it up at the pharmacy counter.

'Best Buy' Drugs
The magazine has gathered new information that could help avoid sticker shock - and break the ice between patients and their doctors. It has new ratings on more than 200 prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines for about two dozen conditions including heart disease, asthma, diabetes and depression.

Comparing different options "helps patients and doctors make better choices, and will help improve our broken healthcare system," said Jim Guest, president of Consumers Union, the magazine's parent organization. 

The study compared the cost of taking "best buy" drugs with that of higher-priced branded medicines. In the case of treating osteoarthritis, making a switch could save up to $275 a month, or over $3,000 a year, for a 30-day pill supply. That estimate is based on a $296 Celebrex price tag, versus $21 for ibuprofen.

Battling high cholesterol? Taking $18 Lovastatin instead of $101 Lipitor will put $83 back into your pocket each month.

Misgivings About Generics
Generic versions of a brand-name drugs can help save money. Many doctors will recommend generics since they are just as safe and effective as the original. Yet nearly half of adults had reservations or misconceptions about taking generics.

Misgivings about generics could be related to heightened awareness about brand name prescriptions. One fifth of adults who regularly take a prescription medication have asked their doctor about a drug they had seen in an ad. And the majority said their doctor wrote the prescription.

"The pharmaceutical industry undermines generic drugs very effectively through advertising and free samples of brand-name drugs..." Dr. Santa said.

Instead of relying on an ad, the best thing patients can do is be more aware about their treatment options.