There's help to rein in drug costs Generics and mail order among the best ways to save

These days the price of prescription drugs can seem harder to swallow than the pills themselves. Operators of health-related hot lines say they've been swamped with calls from consumers looking for cheaper alternatives. For young families and seniors - two groups that tend to use more medications - the costs can be eye-popping. While there may not be a ready cure for the nation's soaring healthcare costs, there are a number of cost-cutting tips to ease the pain. Here are some favorites from pharmacists who help callers at MassMedLine, 866-633-1617 or www.massmedline.com, a free information service run by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

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