How Patients Can Save on Prescription Drug Costs in 2026
High prescription drug prices remain one of the most persistent barriers to healthcare access in the United States – and the world at large. A January 2025 Lancet paper concludes that “although there have been some advancements, the overall accessibility of essential medicines remains a substantial global concern.” Similarly, an analysis published in JAMA Health Forum the same year examined list prices and volumes of 549 essential medicines across 72 high-, middle-, and low-income markets and found that “strategies to promote equitable drug prices and improve drug affordability are urgently needed.”
Despite years of public debate and incremental policy reforms, patients in 2026 continue to navigate prescription drug “coverage” options shaped by opaque pricing, limited competition, patent extension gaming, and powerful intermediaries. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and predatory middlemen (including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurers) continue to exert outsized influence over pricing, shamefully prioritizing revenue over patient outcomes.
While systemic reform is of course essential, patients cannot afford to wait.
When medications are unaffordable, patients and their care teams must invest significant time comparing treatment options and appealing coverage decisions. If they succeed, they may find a viable path to adherence; if they fail, the consequences can be dire. A BMJ Open study based on a telephone survey of older adults in 11 high-income countries found significant variation in cost-related medication nonadherence, with prevalence highest in the United States (16.8%), followed by Canada (8.3%) and Australia (6.8%). More recently, a 2025 tracking poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that one in three U.S. adults reported cutting pills, skipping doses, using over-the-counter substitutes, or not filling prescriptions at all due to cost. Cost-related nonadherence leads to worse health outcomes, avoidable hospitalizations, and preventable deaths.
PharmacyChecker is committed to sharing strategies that help patients and families worldwide identify legitimate, lower-cost medication options while minimizing risk. The strategies below reflect decades of experience in prescription drug affordability in regions where prices remain high or access is constrained.
1. Work Closely With Your Prescribing Clinician
If you have insurance, review your health plan’s formulary before filling a prescription to understand coverage tiers and expected out-of-pocket costs. If a prescribed medication is expensive, your clinician may be able to recommend a lower-tier alternative or a therapeutically equivalent option at a lower price. When brand-name drugs are prescribed, ask whether generic or alternative therapies are clinically appropriate.
Most importantly, be transparent about cost concerns. Patients who cannot afford their prescriptions are more likely to ration or abandon treatment altogether. The American Medical Association Journal of Ethics emphasizes the importance of patient-physician communication regarding medication costs to ensure adherence and effective treatment plans.
A word of caution: Your physician may determine that the brand or another, more expensive therapeutic alternative works better for your condition. That should be a great thing! They’ve demonstrated proactive care and found a medication that works better for you. Although switching to the brand should be a no-brainer, it can result in a messier path to affordability. The point is: talk cost! And monitor your side effects carefully! Your health depends on it.
Related: How Clinicians Can Assist Patients with Unaffordable Prescription Drug Costs
2. Compare Cash Prices vs. Insurance Copays
Insurance does not always deliver the lowest price at the pharmacy counter. In the United States, patients are often surprised to learn that paying cash for their medication can cost less than using insurance, especially in conjunction with a drug discount coupon.
A study by the USC Schaeffer Center found that nearly a quarter of U.S. prescription purchases were cheaper when patients paid cash rather than using insurance. Before paying, always ask your pharmacist for the cash price—you might save more than using your copay. Price comparison tools like PharmacyChecker.com can also help identify these opportunities.
For chronic condition prescriptions, filling a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply often reduces the total cost. Many pharmacies, insurers, and discount programs offer lower per-unit pricing for extended fills compared with monthly refills.
3. Compare Prescription Drug Prices on PharmacyChecker.com
Out-of-pocket prices for the same medication can vary greatly even between pharmacies located in the same neighborhood. PharmacyChecker compares coupon pricing from multiple discount card providers and helps patients identify the best available local deals. If you’re in the U.S., simply enter your zip code on a drug price comparison page to see prices near you. U.S. residents may also wish to cross-check prices on platforms such as GoodRx, SingleCare, or RxSaver.
What makes PharmacyChecker unique is its international price comparison, paired with rigorous verification. PharmacyChecker operates an independent International Pharmacy Verification Program (IPVP) and only permits pricing from online pharmacies that meet strict standards for licensing, prescription requirements, transparency, and patient safety. This verification process is designed to help patients avoid rogue or counterfeit drug-selling websites.
Top Searched Medications on PharmacyChecker (2026)
| Medication | Lowest U.S. Pharmacy Coupon Price | Lowest Accredited International Online Pharmacy Price | Estimated Savings |
| Eliquis (apixaban) | $5.45 | $0.70 | 87.2% |
| Jardiance (empagliflozin) | $10.32 | $1.09 | 89.4% |
| Cialis (tadalafil) | $54.00 | $9.50 | 82.4% |
| Xarelto (rivaroxaban) | $17.73 | $0.95 | 94.6% |
| Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol) | $8.78 | $1.48 | 83.2% |
| Viagra (sildenafil) | $83.67 | $5.61 | 93.3% |
| Rybelsus (semaglutide) | $24.91 | $5.00 | 79.9% |
| Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) | $10.77 | $1.04 | 90.3% |
| Farxiga (dapagliflozin) | $10.60 | $0.96 | 90.9% |
| Apoquel (oclacitinib) | $2.99 | $2.82 | 5.7% |
Per-unit prices are illustrative based on PharmacyChecker.com comparisons and may vary by dosage, quantity, and pharmacy.
Across top-searched drug price comparisons on PharmacyChecker.com, the median per-unit savings is approximately 88%, underscoring that extreme price differentials are not isolated anomalies but a recurring pattern. Xarelto and Viagra show exceptionally large percentage savings due to very high U.S. per-unit prices combined with substantially lower international prices. However, not every drug benefits equally from international comparison. Others, especially generics or veterinary medicines like Apoquel, may be competitively priced domestically. The takeaway: comparison matters.
Related: ‘I Would Probably Be Dead’: How Online Pharmacies Offer Hope and Savings
Rigorous testing and analysis from independent studies have repeatedly confirmed that patients receive lawfully manufactured, high-quality medicine when orders are placed with online pharmacies accredited through the PharmacyChecker IPVP. A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that credentialed online pharmacies, including those verified by PharmacyChecker, dispensed authentic, lawfully manufactured medications and required valid prescriptions. In contrast, unverified drug-selling websites present real risks to consumers. Websites that are not accredited or credentialed by reputable organizations are more likely to sell counterfeit or otherwise substandard drugs.
Related: International Online Pharmacies Offer Relief as Medicare Prices Remain Sky-High
4. Explore Patient Assistance Programs, Government Assistance, & Manufacturer Savings Programs
Many pharmaceutical manufacturers offer patient assistance programs (PAPs) that provide free or low-cost medications to qualifying individuals. If you’re struggling to afford your medication, check with the drug manufacturer or use online tools to see if you qualify. Nonprofit resources such as NeedyMeds help patients identify and apply for these programs.
For brand-name medications, check whether the manufacturer offers a copay savings card or rebate. These programs can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs for insured patients, though they are generally unavailable to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Federal and state programs may also help. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides information on programs like Medicare Extra Help and state pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) that offer financial aid for prescription medications.
Final Thoughts
The cost of prescription drugs remains a serious burden in 2026, but patients are not powerless. Using reputable comparison tools like PharmacyChecker.com, exploring assistance programs, and discussing costs with your doctor can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
At the same time, advocating for systemic reform is also crucial to making medications more affordable for all.
See: PharmacyChecker Advocacy on Drug Prices
We sincerely hope you find a viable solution that works well for your family’s health and finances. Should you encounter frustration in your prescribed therapy’s access and/or affordability, please email info@pharmacychecker.com. We will do our best to provide information based on your specific situation.
