As winter nears, so does the sickliest time of year for Americans. The colder weather and increased time spent indoors cause a dramatic surge in the number of infectious diseases spreading through our communities. To help treat these illnesses, many folks will be taking a trip to their local pharmacy for prescription medications to provide some much-needed relief.

Being sick is certainly no fun for anyone, but in case you do get hit with a case of the flu or another bug this season, Paramount Rx has put together five considerations to keep in mind before filling your prescription to ensure maximum cost savings.

1. Check for generic alternatives— Before filling your prescription, speak with your physician to see if a generic version of your medication is available. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generic medications cost a whopping 80 to 85 percent less on average than their brand name counterparts and provide the same benefits.
2. Comparison shop—Check with several local pharmacies to find out which has the best price on your medication before having a prescription filled. Base prescription prices can vary substantially from pharmacy to pharmacy.
3. Use online tools—There are a number of online resources you can utilize to get information and compare drug costs. Paramount Rx hosts web tools that can help you locate nearby pharmacies, research drug information and compare prices from the convenience of your home.
4. Opt for 90-day supply —Ask your doctor to write a 90-day supply prescription with refills for “maintenance” prescriptions that you take routinely instead of the standard 30-day supply. These plans typically come with a number of benefits when applicable, including potential costs savings related to drug prices and co-pays.
5. Utilize prescription discount cards— Prescription discount cards can provide significant savings for customers looking to achieve the lowest price on their medications. These programs are often offered at no cost for the consumer.

A prescription discount card can be used much like a loyalty card program to achieve added costs savings on prescription medications. Consumers can ensure they are receiving the lowest price by consulting with the pharmacy and asking to compare costs through the discount card program and its negotiated rate, their insurance plan co-pays, and standard pharmacy prices.

The Paramount Rx discount card program is free and open for consumers with no deductibles, maximum benefit levels or drug exclusions. The program helps individuals and their families save an average of 36 percent off the cost of prescription drugs.

For more details on the Paramount Rx prescription discount program, along with details on how consumers can achieve unparalleled cost savings, please visit www.paramountrx.com.