The Associated Press has this report in the Detroit News today: Lower bills for your pills.

A snippet:

One recent survey found 1 in 5 Americans have gone without their medications, split pills or skipped doses — even though it mean risking their health or even their lives.

That doesn’t have to be. Hundreds of programs, some little known, offer medicines free or at a discount.

Virtually all assistance programs have income limitations and other rules, and require jumping through quite a few hoops, but several have eased eligibility requirements because of the recession.

Go click over to the article, because there are several national links and resources listed.

Yes, local readers, there are $4 and $10 co-pay pharmacies all over Monroe County, Mich. The drugstores were changing their policies and list of eligible medications so fast it was difficult for me to maintain a list of who is doing what programs, but all you have to do is ask your pharmacy or go to your favorite stores’ web sites to get that information. You will also find that information listed from time to time in the store sales fliers. I actually have picked up antibiotics for free twice.

And as far as the over-the-counter medication expenses go, that’s one of the reasons you need to clip coupons and participate in the drugstore rebate programs. There may not be a rebate on a particular allergy medicine the week you need it, but you can use a rebate you earned from another drugstore purchase to help pay for that medicine.

Southeast Michigan residents also should check out Julie’s List because Julie has researched and posted an extensive list of non-profit and low-cost medical, transportation and financial resources aimed at helping Detroit, Downriver, Ann Arbor and Monroe County residents.

I have additional tips and links at my medical expenses sidebar.