Generic Drug Subsidy: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to reduce your out-of-pocket pharmacy costs by choosing generic versions of prescribed medicines.
This scheme helps you pay less for your medication by making the non-branded versions of medicines more affordable.
Who it's for
Anyone who has a valid prescription from a healthcare professional qualifies for this scheme. It is designed to make essential medicine more accessible to everyone through the use of equivalent medications.
What you get
You get a lower cost for generic versions of branded medicine. These medicines contain the same active ingredients as the more expensive branded versions but are offered at a reduced price to help lower your personal healthcare expenses.
What it costs you
There is no administrative fee to access this benefit. To receive the lower price, it requires a small amount of time to communicate with your healthcare provider and your pharmacist. When you go to pick up your medication, you must specifically ask your pharmacist for the generic version of the prescribed medicine to ensure the subsidy is applied.
The catch to know
The most common issue is that some doctors do not explicitly specify "generic" on the prescription. If the prescription only lists the branded name without indicating that a generic version is acceptable, you may be charged the full price. To avoid this, you should ask your doctor to specify that you are willing to use the generic version on your prescription.
How to apply
- Consult with your doctor to receive a medical prescription.
- Request that your doctor specifies the generic version on the document to ensure you receive the subsidy.
- Present your prescription at a pharmacy.
- Explicitly ask the pharmacist for the generic version of your medicine to receive the lower cost.