Managing Your Health

Research & Reports

Presentations & Speeches

Experience From Other Cities

Health Quality Organizations

Upcoming Events

Tools for Health Care Providers: Prescription Drugs

Research shows that cost is among the obstacles that keep patients from

adhering to recommended drug regimens. While generics are often a good option to lower the cost of prescription drugs, misperceptions and concerns about generics persist among patients.

Here are some of the best information sources and tools available to help you keep informed about when generic drugs become available, and to use when talking to patients about generics.

Generic Drug Approvals

Drugs@FDA

This U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) database, updated daily, enables you to search by drug name, active ingredient or application number to find out if a generic equivalent is available. (Source: FDA)

Monthly Drug Approval Reports

Monthly list of new drug approvals. (Source: FDA)

back to top

Materials for Patients

Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers

Print out or refer patients to this FDA webpage with answers to common questions about generics, including how the FDA helps ensure that generic drugs are safe and work well. (Source: FDA)

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (PDF)

Use this checklist with patients to encourage them to talk to you about prescription medications. (Source: Puget Sound Health Alliance)

Medication Records

My Medication List (PDF)

This card allows patients to record all of their medicines, allergies, emergency contacts, etc. to help them provide accurate information to their health care providers.

(Source: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)

Medication Wallet Card  (PDF)

Patients can track their own and family members' medicines on these wallet sized cards so they have them handy for medical appointments and other consultations with health care providers. (Source: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)

Helping Patients Access Prescription Drugs

Rx Help for WA

This is a list of programs to help patients get free or low-cost prescription drugs in Washington state. (Source: Rx Help for WA)

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

This site links to programs nationwide that help patients, caregivers and prescribers access free or low-cost prescription drugs. (Source: Partnership for Prescription Assistance)

Rx Assist

This resource center helps providers assist low-income and uninsured patients apply for prescription drug assistance programs. (Source: Volunteers in Health Care)

Benefits Check Up RX

This service helps patients 55 and over connect to private or government programs that help them pay for prescription drugs. (Source: National Council on Aging)

Prescription Drug Discount Card Programs

A number of prescription drug discount card programs are also available to help patients pay for prescription drugs:

RX Washington Card—A discount program open to Washington State residents who do not have insurance coverage for prescriptions. (Source: Washington Health Care Authority)

Express Scripts Through RX Outreach—A prescription assistance program for people with lower incomes. Tip: click on RX Outreach in the lower right corner. (Source: Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc.)

Together RX Access Card —A prescription assistance program for people with lower incomes who do not have insurance coverage for prescriptions and are not eligible for Medicare. (Source: Together RX Access Card)

back to top

Getting Out the Generics Message

Download and print this flyer or card to display in your clinic or pharmacy to help raise awareness about generics.  (Source: Puget Sound Health Alliance)

The FDA provides a range of downloadable consumer information materials for public use, many of them in several languages. Materials include:

° Brochures

° PowerPoint Presentation

° Print Public Service Announcements

° Posters

° Pharmacy Counter Mat

° Internet Public Service Announcement Banners

° Radio Public Service Announcements

° Audio Presentations and One Page Handouts

° Multimedia Presentations

° Articles

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association offers the following downloadable educational and promotional materials for general use:

 ° Flyer

 ° Brochure

 ° Frequently Asked Questions

back to top

Antibiotics Education

The Washington Department of Health has developed posters and fact sheets to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. Posters are available in English and Spanish. Fact sheets come in English, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

° Posters

° Fact sheets

back to top