Prescription drugs are often expensive, even with insurance coverage.  For many ailments, though, there are relatively inexpensive treatment options that are effective at meeting patients' medical needs.  Credible information in this area has not always been easy to get.

To address this problem, several Minnesota groups have joined together to promote the Best Buy Drugs program of Consumers Union (CU), the publisher of Consumer Reports.  The program provides impartial information on the effectiveness, safety and cost of prescription medications so that patients and their doctors have information to choose drugs that do the job for the least amount of money.

The premise of the Best Buy Drugs program is that informed consumers will be better shoppers.  Minnesota Senior Federation has partnered with Consumers Union, the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, The Prescription Project of Community Catalyst, MN Medical Association, MN Pharmacists Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN, HealthPartners, Medica, UCare, United Family Practice Health Center, University of Minnesota American Medical Student Association, and Minnesota Senior Federation member consumers to advance use of the most effective, safe, and economical medications.

For more information:

• “Getting Your Money’s Worth”  Janine Stiles, MnSF
• CR Best Buy Drugs 
• The Prescription Project
• Post Script, the Prescription Project blog
• National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices

To view legislative efforts relating to Pharmacy Benefit Managers, click here.

To view legislative efforts on conflict-of-interest and banning gifts to physicians by pharmaceutical manufacturers, click here.

To view legislation against data mining of physician prescribing patterns by pharmaceutical manufacturers, click here.