Letter: Always shop for best pill prices

Monday, May 1, 2000 | 9:51 a.m.

1. The demand for prescription drugs by the many existing and incoming retired seniors. 2. The population increase due to construction and job growth. 3. Big bucks.

My wife and I are both retired, low-income seniors. Due to the many prescription drugs that we require it has always been a necessity to check prices with several pharmacies before making the purchase, as Medicare pays nothing and our secondary medical plan pays only a small yearly percentage.

Continued rising drug prices were depleting our small income to the panic stage.

Fortunately we, both being World War II veterans, were eligible to receive most of our prescriptions through the Veterans Administration, at 1700 Vegas Drive, with a small affordable co-payment. We were amazed and elated to find such cooperation, courtesy and concern for us, especially by Dr. K. Crooks, nurse practitioner Denise Bartlett, their staffs and all in the pharmacy department who care for us.

Most pharmacies have price inconsistencies for the same prescription. Some of those differences can be drastic. Calling three or four pharmacies and comparing prices is the best way to ensure fair and equal prices. Though you may only make a small co-payment now, you can never tell when future prescription costs may come directly out of your pocket.

Checking prices would certainly be one way to help curtail future costs to you and save some money for your insurer.

LAVERN G. MEYER