The struggle to afford Heart Disease Medication
Heart Disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S for both men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is responsible for approximately one million deaths each year. There have been many new advances in preventing heart disease. Diet, exercise, reduction in stress, and medications that can manage many of the various heart disease conditions. These medications can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Unfortunately, the rising cost prescription medication has left many struggling to afford heart disease medication they need to survive.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease can take many different forms. Coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorder and congenital heart defects are a few. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coronary artery disease kills 370,000 people annually in the US.
What is the cause of Heart Disease?
There is no one cause of heart disease. Poor diet, lack of exercise, high levels of stress, or a genetic defect form birth can all cause heart disease.
In the case of coronary artery disease, a build-up of plague in the coronary artery and impedes the flow of blood through the artery. The plague that forms is made up of fat cholesterol, calcium and other things in the blood. A they build-up in the coronary artery becomes more constricted and reduces the flow of blood. Eventually the plague can become so built-up that no blood can flow through and will being to form a clot. This will result in a heart attack.
If plague build-up in either of the carotid arteries it will cause a stroke. If the build-up occurs in any peripheral arteries the blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis are affected. This results in numbness, pain and in some cases an infection that can cause gangrene.
Medications are available to reduce plague build-up and help blood flow, but they are costly. Many ate left struggling to afford heart disease medication they need to live.
What are the symptoms of Heart Disease?
The symptoms of a heart attack can vary depending on the person. In most cases chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue are experienced a few days, or possibly weeks before the attack. It is important to know the signs of a heart attack in order to prevent it.
A stroke has less warning time and in most cases the symptoms occur after the stoke has happened. Someone who has experienced a stoke typically will show dropping or numbness on one side of the face, weakness or numbness in one arm, and difficulty speaking.
What is the treatment for Heart Disease?
If medication is taken at the start of any symptoms there is a chance to prevent, or minimize, an attack. In many cases coronary artery disease is treated with a combination of things. Medication, diet changes exercise programs, and stress reduction techniques are all a factor.
For many the build-up of plague is controllable by reducing cholesterol and calcium, and thinning the blood to prevent clots. This means regular, daily medication to ensure that the arteries stay clear enough for the blood to flow though without clotting.
The rising cost of prescription medication has left many struggling to afford heart disease medication.
The Problem: Struggling to afford Heart Disease Medication
With rising healthcare costs many people trying to manage their condition are left struggling to afford heart disease medication that they need to survive. Most insurance plans will cover a portion of the medication once the patient has met their deductible. For many this means paying a lot out of pocket before their insurance will cover a portion. Even after the deductible has been met, the patient will still be responsible for the co-pay. Newer treatments may not yet be covered at all by most insurance plans. This leaves many struggling to afford heart disease medication.
There are a variety of heart disease medications prescribed to manage symptoms and prevent a heart attack or stroke. Many of the most commonly prescribed are available in generic form. Although the cost is more affordable, in many cases it is still over $100 per month for those that have not met their deductible, are uninsured or underinsured. Amlodipine is a generic calcium channel blocker that helps to reduce plague build-up. The average cost for Amlodipine is over $50.00 for a 30-day supply. Clopidogrel is another generic medication prescribed to treat heart disease. It thins the blood to reduce the risk of clots and allow for the blood to flow freely through the coronary artery. The average cost for Clopidogrel is over $150.00 for a 30-day supply. Simvastatin is a generic cholesterol reducing medication that also reduces plague build-up. Simvastatin costs an average of $23.00 for a one-month supply. That is over $200.00 for the medications that people with heart disease have to rely on each month to survive. These 3 medications can leave many struggling to afford heart disease medication that they need to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
The Solution: Discount Drug Network
Discount Drug Network leverages the power of group purchasing to provide a free discount card that offers up to 85% savings on prescription medication. An analysis of five commonly prescribed heart disease medications used to manage symptoms showed that Discount Drug Network can save over 75%, and in some cases the savings was over 85%. In the examples of Amlodipine, Clopidogrel, and Simvastatin the cost went from over $200.00 per month to less than $50.00. That is a significant savings for someone struggling to afford heart disease medication each month.
How It Works: How can anything that is FREE really save me money
The Discount Drug Network card is easy to use. Visit the Discount Drug Network website and use the pricing tool to find the lowest price in your area. Then, simply present the Discount Drug Network card at your pharmacy when of drop off your prescription. It is that easy!
Discount Drug Network covers millions of people and leverages the power of group purchasing to negotiate these discounts on behalf of our card holders. The pharmacies agree to let our members get discount pricing (just like they do already for insurance customers) because they want our business! They not only give our members fantastic discounts, but they also pay us a small transaction fee each time we process a prescription through our network. This allows us to continue to operate, grow, and save our members money! For the first time, the individual consumer gets access to pricing typically reserved for the largest insurance companies.
What Do Card Holders have to Say: Real People who have saved money with the Discount Drug Network card
Here is what some people have to say about saving money with the Discount Drug Network card.
Discount Drug Network saved me! I needed meds and couldn’t afford any. I have no insurance and found this program through a friend. I am so glad this worked!! Thank you!”
Gracie – New Jersey
One of my patients used the Discount Drug Network card for an antibiotic prescription that they looked up the price for online. It was going to cost over $100 but with your card she paid $10 instead. The patient was thrilled! You have a great product.”
Dr. Perez – Texas
It was easy to use and the pharmacy honored the price with no catch. Our son got his prescription, but we wouldn’t have been able to afford it without Discount Drug Network. Thank You!”
Bianca – Washington
Discount Drug Network is not offering advice, recommending or endorsing any specific prescription drug, pharmacy or other information. Please seek medical advice before starting, changing or terminating any medication or prescription. All prices listed are national averages and may vary depending on medication, dosage and geographical location
