Song in my head: It's beginning to look a lot like latkes..............................PenElayne


For my readers that are concerned about the high cost of prescription drugs there is a new website available that compares drug effectiveness with retail price. The site is at www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org. Often times our doctors prescribe newer, more expensive pharmaceuticals. This Consumer Report based web site will help consumers make cost effective drug choices called "Best Buy Drug". Only three types of drugs are covered. From the Oregonian ......

The Web site's first three reports compare three widely used types of medication: cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins; heartburn and acid-reflux treatments; and anti-inflammatory painkillers for arthritis.

The comparisons of drug effectiveness use research and analysis by OHSU's Evidence-based Practice Center. That information already guides prescription drug coverage under the Oregon Health Plan, the state's version of Medicaid for low-income residents.

Consumers Union also uses retail price data from pharmacies around the nation to help determine which drugs are the best buys in each category. When the evidence shows a drug is a better buy than its competitors in the same class, Consumers Union will choose a "Best Buy Drug."