Choose the generic, not the long-acting
Pharmaceutical manufacturers will often market a long-acting form of a medication at just about the time their product is about to become generic. The new long-acting form is viewed by the FDA as a new product. Therefore marketing of the generic is not permitted for many years, and the manufacturer can continue to charge higher prices for the new long acting form long after the generic is available. Recent examples include the products Xanax XR, Glucophage XR and Cipro XR. One advantage of long-acting products is the convenience of less frequent dosing. A major disadvantage is higher medication costs.  The products listed below are examples where you can save significantly if you have your doctor prescribe the generic instead of long-acting product.

Long Acting Form	Glucophage XR® 1 gm	Cipro XR® 1 gm*	Glucotrol XL® 10 mg	Xanax XR® 1 mg	Ditropan XL
Medication cost for 30 day supply	$44	$149	$24	$69	$83
Associate co-pay	$25	$37	$25	$69	$25
Non-Long Acting Generic	Metformin 500 mg	Cipro-floxacin 500 mg*	Glipizide 5 mg	Alpra-zolam 0.5 mg	Oxybutynin 5 mg
Medication cost for 30 day supply	$13	$100	$12	$39	$29
Associate cost	$10	$25	$10	$10	$10
Associate savings	$10	$12	$10	$10	$11

* 10-day supply
Cost may be different per pharmacy.