5 ways to help make more affordable (and sustainable) choices at the pharmacy

(BPT) - Health care essentials like over-the-counter (OTC) products can quickly add up and eat into your budget. Whether you're buying pain medication to manage headaches or antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes, stocking your medicine cabinet can be expensive.Making affordable choices at the pharmacy is especially daunting when trying to manage your environmental impact. Navigating the pharmacy aisle in search of eco-friendly product options during your busy day can feel like an overwhelming task.If you regularly use OTC medications and want to save more and waste less, you can do so with just a few easy tips. Foster & Thrive, a private-label OTC health and wellness brand, offers five simple ways to make more affordable and sustainable choices when purchasing health care essentials.1. Use your health insurance plan resourcesDo you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)? You can use your funds for more than just copays and medical expenses.Many pharmacy products, from OTC medication to health and wellness essentials like bandages, are HSA- or FSA-eligible items. Alternatively, your health plan may cover a yearly OTC credit. Check your health insurance plan to see what resources it offers and discover eligible items.2. Choose private-label itemsOne of the easiest ways to help save on your OTC expenses is to choose private-label brands. Private-label drugs tend to cost less than brand names while still delivering the same effectiveness.Foster & Thrive OTC products, for example, provide consumers with reliable care at an affordable price. With over 500 products for acute care, preventive care, everyday care and diagnostic care, you're likely to find whatever health and wellness OTC products you need.Private-label goods generally always meet or exceed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quality, and are tested and compliant with industry-leading quality standards, so you can rest easy knowing you're using safe and effective products.3. Chat with your pharmacistPharmacists can provide personalized advice to guide your healthcare purchases. Before you select an antacid for a stomachache or acid reflux, check with a pharmacist to ensure you're choosing the best OTC product for your needs.A pharmacist can spot potential interactions between an OTC drug and any prescription medications you're taking. They can also help you pick the right medication and dosage that can help alleviate multiple symptoms so you can avoid buying unnecessary products, saving you money and helping reduce drug waste.4. Look for sustainable packagingYou can do your part to help the environment by choosing OTC products that come in eco-friendly packaging. Consider buying medications like those from Foster & Thrive's eco-friendly aluminum product line, which is made with 70% less plastic than traditional bottles. The bottles are designed for recyclability,* and are made primarily of aluminum — one of the most commonly recycled materials in the U.S.15. Check out your local, small business pharmacyThere are plenty of chain pharmacies, but if there is a locally owned pharmacy in your area, consider shopping for your OTC products there. Mom-and-pop shops often carry the same private-label and prescription products you can find at larger pharmacies, but with a more personalized focus. Community pharmacists often get to know their patients personally and can deliver more individualized care. They may even offer deals or reward programs that can help defray your health care costs.OTC expenses don't have to be expensive. Using these five tips, you can help save on your essential health care expenses so you can focus on investing in your health and wellness. To find a Foster and Thrive retailer near you, visit FosterAndThrive.com/Where-To-Buy.*Availability of recycling programs and facilities may vary by location.1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes and Recycling.