| In these times it is important to have sufficient prescription
drug coverage. If your employer doesn't cover your
medication needs you may have to sign up for your own coverage.
Sometimes even a small package can be a worthwhile investment.
You'll need to weigh these important factors: age, gender,
family size, coverage amount, pharmcies and other important
factors. A prescription drug is a licensed medicine that is
regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can
be obtained. The term is used to distinguish it from over the
counter drugs which can be obtained without a prescription.
Different jurisdictions have different definitions of what
constitutes a prescription drug.
In the United States, the Controlled Substances Act defines what
requires a prescription.
In England a patient visits a doctor (usually a general
practitioner in the first instance) who is able to prescribe
medicines. Each item on the prescription is liable to a
prescription charge of £6.40 (as of April 2004). Those requiring
regular prescriptions may make a saving by purchasing a
pre-payment certificate which covers the cost of all
prescriptions required for four months (at a cost of £33.40) or
the year (at a cost of £91.80). The money is used to help fund
the National Health Service. The devolved legislatures of
Scotland and Wales were examining, in 2004, proposals to scrap
the charge and provide free prescriptions for all. |
