Pill Splitting Can Save Money On Prescription Drugs

This 2001 article points out that many doctors and patients are unaware of the potential costs savings of splitting pills.

Merck's cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor costs about $3.94 a pill whether the dose is for 20 or 40 milligrams. A patient who needs a 20-milligram daily dose can cut a 40-milligram pill in half, dropping the cost to $1.97, saving more than $700 annually.

One of their unique suggestions is that a patient who needs a 74 milligram dose of Zocor can save $1,500 annually by splitting a combination of 100- and 50-milligram pills to achieve a 75-milligram dose.

The article also warns against splitting extended-release tablets.

"Pill Splitting Can Save Money On Prescription Drugs" - National Center for Policy Analysis