Those reaching retirement age may not have to save up for a car anymore, but they are digging deep to pay the increasing costs of prescription drugs. More than half of all insured Americans are now taking at least one so-called maintenance drug for a chronic condition, according to a recent report.

The increased demand has lifted the price of such brand-name medications some 2.5x faster than the rate of inflation last year. Luckily, there are many ways to lessen the pain without resorting to shady practices like traveling to Canada or Mexico and smuggling drugs (prescription that is) back into the U.S.A.

Many discount chains have begun selling their own prescription drug programs to provide an alternative. Wal-Mart began selling 30-day supplies of generic drugs for just $4 each and recently unveiled another plan providing a 90-day supply of generics for just $10 (or your co-pay if it's less).

Another growing trend is mail order pharmaceuticals. Some employers are now requiring their workers who fill the same prescription for three months in a row or more to order 90-day supplies from an approved mail-order company. It is wise, however, to check out these companies before using them as many are sketchy.

These two alternatives are becoming increasingly popular as insurers are raising co-pays on brand-name drugs. Generics have always been cheaper than brand-name drugs, but it has been increasingly costly to insit on a brand-name. The average co-pay for a brand-name drug is now $43 compared to just $28 in 2001.

So, the next time you hit the store to fill your prescription, ask yourself if there is some way you could do it cheaper!