when my boyfriend was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. She received another surprise when she phoned her local pharmacy and found the drug he needed, the antiviral Valtrex, would cost nearly $600.

That was the price for the brand-name version but even the generic was more than $200. Bercilla continued to make calls until Costco, the warehouse chain, quoted her a price of less than $39 for the generic.

A new Consumer Reports survey of 1,200 adults on prescription medication found 22 percent — which would translate into about 27 million Americans — saw a price hike for at least one drug. For one in three of those consumers, the hike cost them at least $50 extra per month.

That’s why shopping around can really pay for consumers, many of whom don’t even realize how much they can save.

“My initial reaction was shock,” Bercilla said. “Because I can’t believe that in order for me to get the best price from the pharmacy, I have to shop around.”