"I Want That Miracle Drug I Saw On TV!"

Are those "as seen on TV" prescriptions really the best medication for your situation? Only your physician can truly answer that question, but keep in mind that those drug makers are not only trying to get the word out about their company, but they are cashing in on the opportunity to sell to those that are not as informed as they could be and passing the cost on to you, and your insurance company.

Here's one example: If you are a football fan, you've probably seen commercials for Flomax and the "Go With the Flow" theme. What they don't mention is that Flomax, which is one of several types of drugs known as alpha-blockers, can cost you as much as 20 times as much as other alpha-blockers that are just as effective and safe (according to a Consumer Reports study*).

So, why pay up to $246/month for a drug like Flomax - "as seen on TV", when you could be getting the same relief from an equally effective drug for $12.50/month? It doesn't come with the same notoriety as Flomax, but most people don't go around advertising that they have a prostate problem unless they're being "seen on TV".

Remember, only your physician can help you decide which prescriptions are best for you.

(*For more information on this post, please refer to: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2010/02/treating-enlarged-prostate-know-the-score-behind-the-flomax-ads-best-buy-drugs.html )

Health Care Fact of the Day

According to a recent survey of consumers who purchased individual medical insurance, 64% of those who bought through agents used the word "helpful" to describe their experiences while only 36% of online purchasers used this term.