BidRx: A Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) Way to Save Money

BidRx.com is attempting to redefine the way prescription drugs are sold by helping consumers find lower prices and make more informed decisions.  As we all know, Americans are paying more and more for their medications these days. The changing landscape of brand names, generics and over-the-counter choices can be confusing and prescription decisions by doctors are often made without thinking about the cost to the consumer.

BidRx.com has created a new marketplace for consumers to find the best medications for their health needs at the best prices, with savings up to 85 percent or more on prescriptions.  Visitors to the site can learn about similar medications they could be taking, receive discounts directly from pharmaceutical companies, and then put their prescriptions out for bid (similar to purchasing airline or travel packages on other sites), so that they can compare prices and services from various pharmacies. In addition, to the cost savings on prescriptions, consumers are finding BidRx.com to be an excellent tool for comparison shopping between pharmacies as well.

For example, John LaPrest, of Pickett, Wisconsin, was using an acid reflux medication at a cost of more than $100 a month, "just too much. I went to BidRx.com to research my options, and discovered there were several similar drugs, including an over-the-counter drug for only about $14 a month. I asked my physician, and he told me, sure, it's the same basic formula; it would work. Why didn't he tell me about it before? He said, frankly, doctors don't have the time; there's no way they can keep up with new drugs, new generic choices or those that move to over-the-counter. If they know that a particular brand works, that's what they prescribe. But they're not taking cost into account. Before I fill any prescription now, I'm going to check BidRx.com."

Several thousand pharmacies nationwide, including neighborhood, mail-order and specialty pharmacies, have signed contracts to bid for business on BidRx.com.  It's easy for consumers to participate. Visit BidRx.com and register on the confidential and secure site. Enter a drug name, quantity and directions, and obtain information on medications, including prices, electronic coupons for discounts from pharmaceutical companies, and competitive bids on prescriptions and services from everywhere, including local neighborhood pharmacies and mail-order pharmacies around the United States.
 
"Consumers are demanding more information and better prices for their prescriptions. And with the trend toward consumer-driven health plans, including Medicare Part D, BidRx.com can help control out-of-pocket costs and increase consumers' knowledge about prescription drugs," says Tom Kellenberger, Pharm.D., vice president, BidRx, LLC.

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