The cost of diabetes medications can vary—a lot. Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine looked at prices of the 10 most-prescribed medications for people with diabetes, who take an average of 8.9 meds per day. Shopping at chain discount stores or Internet-based companies offers savings over the local drug store, they concluded, but the same order of prescription drugs cost almost 50 percent more at the highest-priced chain compared with the least expensive source. (Keep in mind that using a single pharmacy may make it easier for you and your doctor to keep track of your medications.) The study didn’t include shipping costs, which can range from only a few dollars to $20 for meds that need refrigeration.

Total cost of a 30-day supply of the 10 most-prescribed medications for people with diabetes

Source: Mount Sinai School of Medicine; presented at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions in June