I was standing in line for the chemist this past weekend. It was so busy. But I caught an exchange between a young mother and the chemist. The only infant paracetamol liquid that was left in stock was the most expensive large bottle of Calpol; the smaller bottles and generic brands (which are just as good!) were all sold out. She was commenting how it was quite expensive. And she’s right.
It’s the perfect storm: winter viral season, drug shortages, and inflation. It’s creating extra cost that hits many harder than others.**
Let’s talk again about reducing child medication cost. We’ve already talked about how cough bottles are usually not worth the money. You can also read here about probiotics.
Below is from the Archives and was originally posted in 2019:
So, what can you do about cost of medications for your child (or yourself, for that matter)?
Firstly, who are your best resources here? Your GP and pharmacist. If you start with your pharmacist, remember you can ask to speak in private in consultation area.
- Sometimes they can suggest an alternative drug that is equally effective but cheaper. Your GP or pharmacist may also be able to help you figure out if you are eligible for certain schemes that cover drugs like contraception, nicotine replacement, and Saxenda for certain groups.
- Shop around: in-person, by phone, or online. Ask the cost of your drug in different pharmacies, including newer chemist on the market, Chemist Warehouse that has delightfully transparent pricing in a catalogue online!
- Consider generic/own-brand options, if available. Calpol and Panadol are just paracetamol. Nurofen is just ibuprofen. Brand name medications do not work better, and generic can save you money. Ask your pharmacist for help – do you really need to pay more to have your paracetamol combined with caffeine (what is the “extra” you’re paying for?).
- Is your family eligible for a medical card? If your child is on your family medical card, you can ask your GP to add certain relevant over-the-counter medications to prescription so that they are covered: Examples of eligible medications include pain killers, lice treatment, laxatives, antacids, worm dose, anti-histamines, eye drops, silcock’s base.
- If you are not eligible for medical card, is your family eligible for Drug Payment Scheme (DPS)? This will limit your total monthly expenditure.
- There is also a Local Hardship program if you have a medical card and are still having trouble with some uncovered medication costs. It’s usually not needed, and it is only through your pharmacist.
- Get unbiased advice that it’s actually medication and that you actually need it. Prescriptions from your doctors or vitamins recommended by your Registered Dietitan are not what I am talking about here. You actually need those. We are talking about over-the-counter treatments such as homeopathy, the many unregulated health supplements, ineffective all-natural lice treatments, unnecessary vitamins, and traditional herbal remedies that are often just not worth it.
- Safety First so here’s what NOT to do: It seems obvious but … Do not share prescription mediction with anyone other than whom it is prescribed for, and do not buy drugs from anyone who is not a registered chemist. Do not give adult over-the-counter medication to a child. Do not stop taking your prescribed medication because of cost without talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Take your medication exactly as is prescribed (don’t take it every other day if it has been prescribed every day or take half-doses to stretch it further.)
These are a few tips that I give my patients. It’s not enough but it can help in some cases.
**What do doctors know about the economy? Not enough, to be sure. But most of us are very aware of the socio-economic determinants of health. That means, that health is directly affected by things like where you live or what shops you can access for food or medicine. We also regularly take calls from patients who have to cancel follow-up appointments, can’t afford medications, or can’t afford what they need for their health.
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