Save on Prescriptions!

Hi All,

Folks who have drug prescriptions might want to visit Familywize.org.  You might be able to save money on your prescription drugs - up to 75% in some cases.

Some specifics of this program:

* this is not insurance - it is a discount only on your drug prescriptions
* the program is co-sponsored by the United Way
* no registration or activation is required
* accepted nationwide at over 60,000 pharmacies
* discounts are applied automatically
* average savings per prescription is $23
* some restrictions apply
* there is a FamilyWize app at the Apple App store, at Google Play and the Windows Phone store



The site has a drug price lookup link, a pharmacy lookup link, a resources link, health tips, state resources and much more (blog).

Contact a Familywize representative at this number:  800-222-2818. Or you can contact them by clicking on this link: Familywize Contact Us link.


Hope this helps with your prescription drugs!

Regards,
Stu

Prescription Drug Resource

Hi All,

RxList is a website that I've seen before but I only just now realized that it would be an excellent site to evaluate on the Farmingdale Public Library's Reference and You blog!

So...what is RxList?  Indeed, the site bills itself as the Internet Drug Index.  And what an index it is!

Users can click on a variety of tabs to find out about various drugs.  There is an A-Z Drug List, a Pill Identifier, links to information about Supplements, Slideshows, Images, a link to a Symptom Checker, links to various Diseases, a Dictionary and a list of Quizzes.

On the homepage, there is a list of Features Topics on the left side of the screen - as of 2/25/15 the Featured Topics included: Childhood ADHD Facts, A-Fib: What Is It?, Gotta Go Foods, Breast Cancer Slideshow, Understanding MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

One of the most unique features of the site is the Pill Identifier section! It is a very handy and useful tool for those folks who take drugs or pills.

Users can enter any imprint on a the pill or medication, select the color and then select the shape.  Users then click on the search button and a set of results appears with the criteria set forth in his/her choices.  For example, I entered 'Pfizer' for the imprint, 'tan' for the color and 'oblong' for the shape.

Once I hit enter the result came up - which identified the pill as being 'Sutent Oreal'.  On this page, readers have even more options with regard to the pill in question.  Users can learn about the various uses, side effects, precautions, interactions and overdose information about this pill!  Awesome information - and it is written in easily digestible English!

And, as if this isn't enough - there is a link on the page for User Reviews of the medication!  Amazing.  With the User Reviews, the date and time of the post is easily seen.  User comments in the form of a narrative are available to read as well.  Also, a five star system is used based on the various criteria like 'effectiveness' of the medication, ease of use, and satisfaction with the medication.

The other major section of RxList that makes the information unique is the Symptom Checker.  Click here for the link. 

Users enter information like gender, age, zip code  and then are brought to another page to learn more about the symptoms that are affecting the person.  On this second page, users can click on a diagram of the human body to find and choose symptoms.  Alternatively you can select from any categories listed on the page - which are divided up into 'Common Symptoms' or 'Popular Symptoms by Condition'.  There is also an A-Z List of Symptoms at the bottom of the page.

Eventually users come to a page where a particular symptom is explained.   Related Symptoms are listed on the right side of the page and a list of causes of the condition are listed at the bottom of the page.   Quite honestly, there is a huge, huge, huge amount of information on this part of the RxList website - almost, dare I say it, too much information.

In any event...this is a great place to start a search if you feel that you are getting sick or coming down with an illness!

Finally, as with all medical information, the consumer should be aware.  With that in mind, click on this link from RxList which tells a little about the site (it is owned and operated by WebMD and part of the WebMD network.) 

Enjoy the site and the bountiful information it contains.  And good health to all who have read this blog entry this far! 

Regards,
Stu

Consumer Action Handbook

Hi All,

The new, 2014 Consumer Action Handbook (CAH hereafter in this blog entry) is now available for download now.  Readers can download the CAH by clicking on this link.

A good summary of the CAH is that, 'Users can use the Consumer Action Handbook (CAH) to get help with consumer purchases, problems and complaints. Find consumer contacts at hundreds of companies and trade associations, local, state, and federal government agencies, national consumer organizations, and more'

The 2014 CAH is 148 pages long and is divided into 4 parts:
Part I - Be a Savvy Consumer
Part II - Filing a Complaint
Part III - Key Information Sources
Part IV - Consumer Assistance Directory

In the 'Be a Savvy Consumer' section alone the reader will learn about 'Service Contracts and Extended Warranties', 'Identifying and Stopping Fraud', 'Shopping From Home', using 'ATM/Debit Cards', using 'Prepaid Cards', 'Buying a New Car', 'Buying a Used Car', 'Financing', 'Leasing', 'Lemon Laws', 'Car Repairs' and much, much more. 

this part on 'Being a Savvy Consumer' has further sections on 'Credit Reports and Credit Scores', 'Dealing with Debt', 'Paying For College 101' and more. 

The book is 148 pages for a reason! It is extensive, comprehensive and chock full of useful information for consumers of all needs and interests. And it is free!  What a helpful resource!!!!

Other sections that are notable in the 'Be a Savvy Consumer' section include: 'Insurance' - which covers Auto Insurance, Health Insurance, Homeowners/Renters Insurance, Life Insurance and more, 'Privacy and Identity Theft', 'Telemarketing and Unwanted Mail' (National Do Not Call Registry', 'Travel' (Resolving Air Travel Problems, Cruises, Travel Safety) and 'Utilities' (Billing questions and starting Utility Service).

There is one section in particular that users should be aware of: Part III - Key Information Resources contains a list of  various federal agencies that deal with various products.

For example,
 - Animal Products safety hazards are dealt with the Food and Drug Administration
 - Automobile safety hazards are dealt with the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration
 - Consumer Household Product hazards are dealt with by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Finally, 'Key Information Resources' has information regarding Drugs, Cosmetics, Medical Devices, Toys, Baby Products and Play Equipment in this section. 

So there you have it.  A blog entry that might be short on additional links, is very, very long on useful, helpful, time-saving and money-saving information!

Enjoy the free download - and remember that you can access the CAH by clicking on this link!

Regards,
Stu

Pay Less For Your Prescriptions

Hi All,

Who wouldn't want to pay less for their prescriptions?  Indeed, readers who want to save up to 75% and, on average, save $20 per drug prescription should visit Familywize.org. 

Click on the prior link or this link to visit the site.

Things to note about Familywize.org:

1. The service is available at over 60,000 pharmacies - nationwide.
2. No activation is required.
3. Can be used for all your prescription needs.
4. Call 866-810-3784 for more information.
5. If you have any questions, ask your pharmacist at your local drugstore.
6. The Familywize.org prescription plan can be used at Kmart, Walgreens, RiteAid, CVS and Walmart 

Enjoy the link - and I hope you save on your prescriptions!

Regards,
Stu