Prescription Savings Guide
Whether or not your drug is affected by the Section 232 tariff, these strategies can help you pay less for your prescriptions.
Find a Generic Alternative
Generics are completely exempt from the Section 232 pharmaceutical tariff. If your brand-name drug has an FDA-approved generic equivalent, switching is the single most effective way to avoid tariff-related price increases. Generic drugs are required by law to be therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name version.
Use Patient Assistance Programs
Most major pharmaceutical manufacturers offer patient assistance programs (PAPs) that provide free or reduced-cost medications to qualifying patients. These programs are separate from tariff pricing and can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Compare Cash Prices with Discount Cards
Prescription discount cards can dramatically reduce cash prices at the pharmacy — sometimes to less than your insurance copay. Note: these programs show current prices and do not yet reflect 2026 tariff impacts.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before July 2026
- →Is there a generic or biosimilar equivalent for my current brand-name medication?
- →If so, is the generic therapeutically equivalent for my condition?
- →Can we switch me to a generic now to avoid any tariff-related price increases in July?
- →Does my manufacturer have an MFN deal that would keep my drug at 0% tariff?
- →Are there alternative drugs in the same class that might be better positioned?
- →Does my insurance plan offer any protection against drug price increases?
Stock Up Before July 31, 2026
If your brand-name drug is subject to the 100% tariff and you cannot switch to a generic, consider asking your doctor for a 90-day supply before the tariff effective date. Most insurance plans and Medicare Part D allow 90-day fills for maintenance medications, often at a lower per-dose cost than monthly fills. Prices at the time of dispensing apply — not at the time of prescription.
Why Acting Before July 2026 Matters
The Section 232 pharmaceutical tariffs create an unusual window where informed patients can take proactive steps to protect themselves. Unlike most drug price changes that happen gradually, the tariff represents a sudden, policy-driven cost increase that takes effect on a specific date. Switching to a generic before that date, using a patient assistance program, or locking in prices through a 90-day supply are all concrete steps that can be planned now.
Remember that generics are not inferior to brand-name drugs — the FDA requires them to meet the same standards for safety, efficacy, strength, dosage form, and route of administration. For the vast majority of patients, switching to a generic is medically equivalent and significantly cheaper.