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Prescription Drugs Rated by Safety, Cost and Effectiveness to Save Money

savingadvice

From:	savingadvice
Subject:	Prescription Drugs Rated by Safety, Cost and Effectiveness to Save Money
Date:	Mon, 13 Dec 2004 09:54:20 -0600

Consumer Union, the company that publishes Consumer Reports, the well
known comparison site that rates safety, effectiveness and cost for
cars, appliances and other gadgets, is taking on a whole new industry.
In what is believed to be a first of its kind, they have set up a
seperate website to do thorough comparisons for prescription drugs.
The new website provides information free of charge at
www.crbestbuydrugs.org

While the website currently only compares drugs for high cholesterol,
pain relief and heartburn, it plans on expanding the types of drugs
compared to some 24 categories over the next couple of years. The site
rates the different drugs and gives a "best buy" rank in each
category.

If the site performs in similar fashion as it has with other product
groups they have compared and evaluated, it's likely the information
provided will add pressure to drug makers to show the effectiveness of
their products compared to competitors. The website is a valuable tool
for the growing number patients who want prescription drugs that have
a proven track record as well as being cost-effective.

Choosing the "best buy" drug to treat your ailments can save you
hundreds of dollars a year on prescription drug costs. In order for a
drug to be labeled the "best buy" in a category, the drug must have a
safety record equal or better than others in the same category, as
well as be priced significantly lower than the most expensive drug.

For example, a patient needing to lower cholesterol a moderate amount
can save as much as $1,300 a year by switching from brand-name
cholesterol-lowering drugs to lovastatin - a generic brand which is
the site's "best buy."

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