On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that he’d impose a 25% tariff on almost all goods imported from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on those brought in from China. Since the US relies on other countries for pharmaceutical products and ingredients (especially generic drugs), this could increase medication costs. This is all happening on top of drug shortages in the US, which could be made worse by these tariffs, according to the Association for Accessible Medicines.
This comes almost a year after GoodRx announced it would start offering savings on 30 common heart medications for under $30, including medications for coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and more conditions associated with heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the US.
Which medications are included on GoodRx?
You can find discounts on a variety of prescription drugs by searching GoodRx, but the ones compiled on the 30 under $30 heart health section include generic versions of different statins (common for high cholesterol), medications for hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain) and more.
You can also use GoodRx’s general search to see if there are discounts for any medication you are prescribed.
Once you find your medication and preferred coupon, you’ll need to email, text or print a copy of the GoodRx coupon to present at the pharmacy for your discount.
“I use prescription savings cards on a daily basis for my patients,” says Rebecca Katayeva, a pharmacist at Apothecary Group in New York. “We can apply it to prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance or if the patient doesn’t have insurance at all.”
Where else can I find prescription discounts?
Cost Plus Drugs, an online drug company from tech mogul Mark Cuban, is a relatively new way to find the best deals on many popular medications. To use it, search to see whether your medication is available, then follow the prescription and information requirements.
Amazon, the online retail giant, also has a pharmacy and you can find discounts on medication, including insulin, through Amazon Pharmacy. In 2023, the company said it’ll be automatically applying coupons for medications when applicable, which means you won’t have to run down a discount.
If you’re a Prime member, Amazon also has RxPass, which is an additional $5/month subscription for unlimited access to certain medications with no added costs for the medications themselves.
Walmart, another big retailer, also has a widely available $4 generic drug program at its pharmacy, which includes some heart, blood pressure and cholesterol medications for as low as $4 for a month’s supply.
What’s the best deal?
The best deal for you will depend on your medication, what quantity you want, your pharmacy preferences and your insurance. But with discounts available to bring down the price of vital medications, it’s worth comparing a few before your prescription runs out so you can make sure you’re saving the most money.
