Smartphone app Reduces High Cost of Prescription Drugs
By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Mar 2016
A free smartphone app provides users the lowest prices on generic prescription drugs, regardless of their insurance status.Posted on 01 Mar 2016
Blink Health is a free mobile app and website that groups patients together to leverage their purchasing power, resulting in significantly lower prices for users of generic drugs. Users search on the app for a prescribed medication, and if the Blink Health price is cheaper than what they would pay normally, they can purchase it via Blink Health and pick it up at over 60,000 pharmacies across the United States at no extra charge, as the Blink Health price is the same no matter which pharmacy the customer uses.
Blink Health has no membership fees or monthly premiums, and is also able to aggregate funds from employers, not-for-profits, and others to further lower patients' out-of-pocket expenses. For example, generic Lipitor, which retails at USD 163.24 and costs about USD 26.50 under prescription discount programs, costs just USD 9.94 with Blink Health. Prilosec, which typically commands USD 19.61 under other plans, costs USD 6.94 with Blink Health.
About 50% of the medications on Blink Health cost USD 10 or less, creating savings of up to 99% on prescriptions at all major pharmacies, including Walgreens (Chicago, IL, USA), CVS, Rite Aid, Wal-Mart, Duane Reade, and most independent pharmacies. The app can be downloaded on the iTunes store and Google Play store (for Android). All functions are also available at the Blink Health website.
“Nobody should ever be forced to skip a dose of medicine or leave a prescription behind at the pharmacy counter because they can't afford it," said Geoffrey Chaiken, CEO and co-founder of Blink Health. “The fast adoption of the app just further shows us that so many people are in need of a solution to the rising costs of prescription drugs. As more people join, our prices will continue to fall, ensuring everyone gets the medications they need.”
“Until Blink Health, the Internet has made it cheaper for Americans to buy practically anything they need, except for prescription medication,” added Matthew Chaiken, who co-founded Blink with his brother Geoffrey. “Now, any patient can go online and get the lowest prices for their medications. Our customers are already saving tens of thousands of dollars on their generic drug costs.”
Related Links:
Blink Health
Walgreens