Strategies for acquiring affordable medications for seniors.

While Congress continues to debate issues related to Medicaredrug benefits, senior citizens grow increasingly frustrated withtheir monthly medication bills. Many seniors are unable to affordall of their medications, and therefore find that they must choosebetween those that are the most helpful and those that have thegreatest potential for severe medical consequences if missed. Op-tions are available for helping senior citizens with this financialburden, but many seniors are either unaware or unable to availthemselves of the existing programs. Several pharmaceutical com-panies have developed programs for the medically needy based onincome levels. Generic medications as opposed to trade names re-present substantial cost savings. Many pills can be split, thus pro-viding twice the dose for half the cost. Some community healthcenters offer access to prescriptions at decreased costs through fed-eral programs. This article explores the various options availableto senior citizens so that nurses may act as advocates for thesepatients.