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About 8.2 percent American adults don’t take their medications as prescribed so they can save money, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But not following your prescriptions or skipping your medications altogether could be dangerous, leading to health issues that cost much more than these drugs. Fortunately, there are ways to make your medications more affordable. Start with these money-saving strategies.
Sources: Mykyta L, Cohen RA. Characteristics of a... + 7
- Mykyta L, Cohen RA. Characteristics of adults aged 18–64 who did not take medication as prescribed to reduce costs: United States, 2021. NCHS Data Brief, no 470. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2023.
- American Cancer Society. Help Paying for Prescription Drugs. Last revised May 13, 2019.
- Pan Foundation. Tips for saving money on prescription medications. Accessed March 31, 2025.
- New York State Attorney General. Discount health & prescription cards. Accessed March 31, 2025.
- Medicare.gov. Help with drug costs. Accessed March 31, 2025.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. Getting Help Paying for Medications. Accessed March 31, 2025.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Quick Tips for Buying Medicines Over the Internet. Current as of February 25, 2020.
- The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies. Counterfeit Medication. Accessed October 20, 2022.
