Choose a prescription drug that has a generic available. Choose three different types of pharmacies. Examples:
Large chain pharmacy such as Walgreens, CVS, Eckards, etc.
Grocery store associate pharmacy such as Publix, Krogers, etc.
Privately owned local pharmacy
Pharmacy associated with a "big box" store such as Target, Walmart, etc.
Online pharmacy (must be in the United States)
Do not use any drugs on the pharmacy's four dollar or other special price list. If the pharmacy has a "club card" or other special way of getting lower cost, do not use this cost.
Compare the cash cost of the brand and the generic making sure that the dose (milligrams, micrograms, etc.) and number of pills are the same.
Example: Synthroid .05 milligrams and levothyroxine .05 milligrams, prescription for 30 pills.
For over-the-counter products, use identical products including formulation (liquid, capsules, etc.), dose (mgs per tablet, mgs per cc, etc.) and size of packaging (20 tablets in the box, 90cc fluid in the bottle, etc.). Try to avoid products that contain multiple ingredients like cold preparations as these are hard to compare due to differing quantities of ingredients within each product.