PRESS RELEASE Of interest to editors and journalists covering: Books, Publishing, Libraries, Health, Drugs, Elderly, General Interest New Book by a Pharmacist Explains 12 Steps to Lowering Prescription Drug Costs TYLER, TX - September 8, 2004 /Send2Press Newswire/ -- Apothecary Publishing (www.apothecarypublishing.com) today announced the publication of "The Frugal Patient: A Consumer's Guide to Saving Money on Prescription Medications and Getting the Maximum Value for Your Healthcare Dollar" by Doug Benedetti, R.Ph (ISBN 0-9725856-0-5). The book spells out 12 steps that Americans can take to lower their prescription drug costs by substituting common high-priced medications with low-cost alternatives that have the same therapeutic benefits as well as similar safety profiles. *(Photo: http://www.Send2Press.com/photoSP/apothecary.jpg ) "The Frugal Patient teaches consumers how to find and take advantage of money saving opportunities," said Doug Benedetti, the book's author. "Americans have a personal financial interest as well as a shared responsibility to reduce our prescription drug prices. If enough of us accept that responsibility, the cumulative effect will be lower prices for everyone." The Kaiser Family Foundation's publication "Trends and Indicators in the Changing Health Care Marketplace, 2004 Update" reports that recent increases in average retail prescription prices are related more to changes in the type of drugs dispensed (to newer, higher-cost drugs) rather than to year-to-year manufacturer price increases for existing drugs. "The Frugal Patient" suggests that Americans can influence what drugs their doctors prescribe and ultimately decide which prescription drugs they are willing to purchase and consume. As an example, Mr. Benedetti cites a review of 68 clinical trials of proton pump inhibitors used for the short-term treatment of uncomplicated gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The results, published in "Rx Intelligence," showed no significant difference in efficacy or safety between the two popular acid reducers, Prevacid(R) and Prilosec OTC(R). Prevacid(R) still requires a prescription, and costs over $120.00 for a 30-day supply. Prilosec OTC(R) does not require a prescription, and costs only about $20.00 for a 28-day supply. "Anyone using Prilosec OTC(R) instead of Prevacid(R) would save over $100.00 a month, every month, with no loss of therapeutic benefit or compromise of safety," said Benedetti. "This is an example of a switch that doesn't even require a new prescription. If you currently take Prevacid(R), you simply stop taking it and buy Prilosec OTC(R) instead. If enough people taking Prevacid(R) switched to Prilosec OTC(R), the reduced demand would force the price of Prevacid(R) down to a more competitive level. It's simply the law of supply and demand." Doug Benedetti, R.Ph. is a registered pharmacist who has practiced in various settings for over twenty years. He served as Director of Pharmacy and was expert in cost control at Chicot Memorial Hospital in Lake Village, Arkansas as well as at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, Missouri. Mr. Benedetti grew up in Sebring, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio Northern University. He currently resides in Tyler, Texas with his wife Susan, where he is the pharmacist-in-charge at Southland Pharmacy. Apothecary Publishing's offices are located in Tyler, Texas. They specialize in publishing books for and about the pharmaceutical industry. "The Frugal Patient: A Consumer's Guide to Saving Money on Prescription Medications and Getting the Maximum Value for Your Healthcare Dollar" by Doug Benedetti, R.Ph. (ISBN 0-9725856-0-5. $14.95) is being distributed by Biblio Distribution and is now available in bookstores or can be ordered by mail from: Apothecary Publishing, Dept. 003, P.O. Box 6716, Tyler, Texas 75711-6716 for 14.95 plus $3.00 shipping. It is also available online at http://www.Apothecarypublishing.com Media Contact: Duane Allen of Apothecary Publishing +1-903-521-6292 pr@apothecarypublishing.com All trademarks acknowledged. (ISBN 0-9725856-0-5) # # # [ source of news = Apothecary Publishing ] ref: http://www.send2press.com/2archive/2004/pr04-090802-apothecary.txt http://www.send2press.com/2archivePDF/pr04-090802-apothecary.pdf ----------------------------------------------------------------- *IMPORTANT NOTE TO MEDIA: to reach the organization releasing this news, please contact: pr@apothecarypublishing.com (media only) If used for publication, please send specimen copy. ----------------------------------------------------------------- S2P-NP / 0C / TX / TYLER, Texas / USA / English Copr. (c) 2004 Send2Press Newswire. This release was issued on behalf of the above organization, who is solely responsible for accuracy of content, by Send2Press(TM), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com [www.PublishersNewswire.com] references ---------- drugs, pharmacists, rx, prilosec, books, Benedetti, publishing, health care, insurance, medicare, Biblio, Apothecary Publishing