1. What are the most frequently prescribed drugs?
The New York State Board of Pharmacy annually publishes a list of the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs, in the most common quantities.
List of 150 most frequently prescribed drugs
2. I take a different strength of medication than the one listed on the website. Are the prescription drug prices for different strengths and quantities the same?
No. Drugs can be prescribed in different strengths and quantities and prices will vary depending on the strength and quantity. This website only lists the prices for the strength and quantity of the drugs published by the New York State Board of Pharmacy. If the strength or quantity of your medication is not listed, please contact your pharmacy for the price.
3. When I went to one of the pharmacies that is listed on the website, the price that they charged for my drug was not the same as the price listed on the website. Why?
Drug prices can change frequently. Always call or visit your pharmacy to find out the price. The prices on this website reflect weekly price updates and may not be the price that you find when you go to your pharmacy. The prices on this website should provide you with a good start to compare prices for certain drugs at pharmacies in your area.
4. I am unable to afford my drugs because the prices are too high. Is there anything I can do about that?
Yes, you may explore public and private prescription drug assistance programs. The website provides several helpful links on the consumer information page.
5. My search for the price of my drug by city or county or ZIP code shows a message "No Information Found Matching Your Search Criteria..." Does that mean that my pharmacy doesn't sell my drug?
No. This website lists the retail prices of the 150 most commonly prescribed drugs for pharmacies participating in the Medicaid program. Should you encounter the message cited above, it simply means that the website currently does not have the drug prices for your search area. You can attempt to search again using a wider coverage area or you can contact your local pharmacies directly to obtain price information.
6. Why do I keep seeing N/A in the search results with a short explanation of N/A - Price information not available to the Dept. of Health?
The Department of Health obtains the usual and customary price information from claims submitted by pharmacies to the Medicaid program for reimbursement. All the pharmacies in New York State do not participate in this program. Also, the claims may not include all the drugs in the 150 frequently prescribed list. When the Department does not have data, N/A is displayed for the price.
7. Why do I see gray shaded areas in the search results?
The shaded areas on the search results page indicate that there is no generic equivalent at this time.
8. Why am I unable to find any prices for some of the drugs listed?
Of the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs, there are 3 that are not covered under the Medicaid program. They include PROMETH/CODEINE SYRUP, TUSSIONEX, and VIAGRA. Therefore, prices are not available for them at this time.
9. How can I avoid potentially harmful drug interactions?
It is good practice to obtain all of your prescription medications from the same pharmacy so the pharmacist can help you avoid potentially harmful interactions. Keep careful records of the medications you are
taking including the non-prescription medications. Bring these records to the attention of your health care practitioner and pharmacist who may not be familiar with your complete medical history. Always let your health care practitioner or
pharmacist know if you have an unexpected reaction to a medication.