None of lower cost options are considered dangerous. The optional medications may have advantages and disadvantages, which are thoroughly explained and all options need to be reviewed by a physician before a new prescription can be written.

The generic drugs we include in options are similar to the brand name version. In many cases they are even produced in the same factory and on the same assembly line as the brand name drug. However, generic drugs are not acceptable in all cases. We utilize a national generic drug rating system to ensure that we identify generics only where appropriate.

We recommend using one of two methods for gaining approval from your physician:

If you have decided on an option and you feel comfortable trying the new medications, send your physician a fax requesting a prescription change (Include the printed version of the "Summary Report" and note which option you prefer). In the fax tell him/her why you are interested in changing medications, how you can be reached if he/she has any questions, and most importantly how you want to receive your new prescription (For example will you be picking it up, do you want it called into your pharmacist, faxed back to you, etc.). Your physician receives lots of these requests so make it as clear and easy to process as possible. If you are unsure about switching medications, set up an appointment with your physician to discuss the optional medications. Take both your printed reports with you and review them with your physician.

Many believe "You get what you pay for." Generic drugs do not reflect that illusion. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) only approves a generic drug for manufacture if it meets the same criteria as the brand name. The criteria includes: having identical active ingredients, dosage, administration (i.e. tablets or injection), cautions, warnings, product labeling, similar absorption rates, and consistency in manufacturing. There is a national generic drug rating system to ensure that we recommend generics only where appropriate

Not all pills can be safely taken when split, but it is safe to split pills in many cases. We include pill splitting as an option when the pill is made of a compound that can be safely split. It is important when splitting pills to cut the pill into even halves.

The best way to split pills is to use a “Pill Splitter/Cutter”. These specially designed little tools are available at most drugstores for less than $5.00.

Brand name drugs are more expensive than generics for two primary reasons. First and foremost, the manufacturers are trying to recover the research and development costs of the drug while they still own the patent. The second reason is that there are no drug price controls, meaning manufacturers can set their own prices.

The list of drugs and doses used for price comparison are only intended to be generalizations. These drugs and dosages are not direct equivalents. The list is determined based on the best sources available at the time, and involves some physician judgment. As a result, there may be differences in opinion about the drugs listed. It is still the sole responsibility of a patient's physician to determine the appropriate drug and dose for the patient.

The prices used for the tool represent an average price for all drug stores. The actual price you pay may be slightly different based on where you live and/or which drug store where you purchase your medication.

Brand name drugs are more expensive. In many cases, generic drugs save you money without a sacrifice in quality.

Most doctors understand that patients need to save money and are not offended by you asking to change medications. Doctors receive several of these requests each day from major insurance companies trying to contain costs. You are doing the same thing for yourself. Because your physician receives lots of these requests, try to make your request as clear and easy to process as possible.

Rxaminer provides its cost comparison tools to health insurance companies. These companies offer their members the opportunity to compare the cost and efficacy of their prescription drugs. Rxaminer does not have an exclusive relationship with any individual health insurance companies.

Rxaminer is an independent source of information and is not affiliated in any way with any pharmaceutical company, formulary, or preferred drug list of any kind.

The goal of the service is to provide consumers with a list of similar medications for cost comparison. For the consumer the typical process is:

• The consumer accesses the web site and enters the medications they have been prescribed or are currently taking.
• A custom report is generated for each of their prescribed medications which display all lower cost prescription drug options.
• The consumer reviews the prices and decides which, if any, optional drugs they want to discuss with their physician.
• The lower cost options are discussed with their physician and a new prescription is written if appropriate for the consumer.

For the consumer, Rxaminer is the only service that provides the unbiased, comprehensive cost and efficacy information consumers need to comparison-shop for prescription medications. For the professional, Rxaminer is the only service that provides complete drug comparisons at the dosage and frequency level.

This system just provides another tool to increase price transparency in healthcare. Physicians are extremely busy and often do not have easy access to the actual cost of the drugs they prescribe. Our experience has been that they welcome the opportunity to have this information available.