Prescription drug costs in the US are already among the highest in the world — and the 2026 pharmaceutical tariff adds a new layer of potential increases for brand name drugs. Here is a complete playbook for reducing your prescription costs, whether or not your drug is affected by the tariff.
Step 1: Switch to Generics (Most Powerful Move)
The single most effective way to reduce prescription drug costs is switching from a brand name drug to its FDA-approved generic equivalent. Generics contain the same active ingredient, have the same therapeutic effect, and cost 80–85% less.
In 2026, generics have an extra advantage: they are completely exempt from the Section 232 pharmaceutical tariff. 0% tariff regardless of where they are manufactured. Brand name drugs face up to 100%.
How to find your generic:
- Search your drug at the RxTariff drug search tool
- Check the FDA Orange Book at fda.gov
- Ask your pharmacist — they can tell you in 30 seconds
Step 2: Use Prescription Discount Cards
Even with insurance, discount cards often beat your copay — especially for generics.
GoodRx — The largest discount card network. Free to use. Shows prices at every pharmacy near you for both brand and generic drugs. Often reduces generic costs to $4–$15. goodrx.com
RxSaver — Similar to GoodRx with sometimes different (lower) prices on certain drugs. Worth comparing.
NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card — Free discount card, also provides access to PAP database. needymeds.org
Note: You cannot combine a discount card with insurance for the same prescription. Use whichever is cheaper.
Step 3: Cost Plus Drugs (Mark Cuban's Pharmacy)
Cost Plus Drugs (costplusdrugs.com) sells over 1,000 generic drugs at cost + 15% markup + dispensing fee. No insurance required. Prices for many common generics:
- Metformin 1000mg (90-day): ~$6
- Atorvastatin 40mg (90-day): ~$15
- Sertraline 100mg (90-day): ~$8
- Lisinopril 20mg (90-day): ~$7
- Tamoxifen 20mg (90-day): ~$18
If your drug is available on Cost Plus Drugs, this is often the cheapest option for uninsured patients — and is completely unaffected by the 2026 tariff since it focuses on generics.
Step 4: Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Most major pharmaceutical manufacturers offer Patient Assistance Programs — free or deeply discounted brand name drugs for patients who meet income eligibility criteria. These programs operate independently of tariff status.
How to find PAPs:
- NeedyMeds.org — database of PAPs by drug and manufacturer
- RxAssist.org — similar database
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)
- Direct manufacturer websites (e.g., AbbVie myAbbVie Assist, Lilly Cares Foundation)
Income thresholds vary, but many programs cover patients at up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Some programs are available to insured patients who have high out-of-pocket costs.
Step 5: Request a 90-Day Supply
90-day supplies almost always cost less per day than 30-day fills. Most insurance plans discount the per-day cost for 90-day prescriptions, and mail-order pharmacies often charge two months' copay for a 90-day supply.
Especially relevant in 2026: Getting a 90-day fill before the tariff effective dates (July 31 and September 29) locks in current pricing for 90 days. This gives you time to evaluate alternatives without paying post-tariff prices.
Step 6: Check the Formulary Before Switching Pharmacies
Not all pharmacies charge the same even for the same drug. Chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) often charge more than warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's), which are typically cheaper. Many warehouse club pharmacies do not require a membership to use the pharmacy.
Step 7: Check Your Drug's Tariff Status
Before assuming your prescription will cost more, check. The RxTariff drug search tool tells you instantly whether your drug is:
- Fully exempt (0% — generic, biosimilar, or specialty category)
- 0% MFN deal (your manufacturer is one of 13 Annex III companies)
- At risk (potential 100% tariff from a non-deal company)
Drugs from Novo Nordisk (Ozempic, Wegovy), Merck (Keytruda), Eli Lilly (Mounjaro), Sanofi (Dupixent), and others are already protected. The tariff is not a universal risk — it is specific to certain drugs from certain manufacturers.