Compare drug costs on this YSU student's site

MINERAL RIDGE — A freshman computer science student at Youngstown State University has developed an easy-to-use, one-stop Web site that helps people compare prices on discount drug prescriptions that companies are offering for $4 each or less.

Some of the prescription drugs are free, and so is the Web site — www.comparemymeds.com — that Michael J. Meszaros developed to help his father find the least-expensive prescription drugs after surgery last year.

Meszaros said he has searched for, but not found, a site like his, leading him to believe it is the first of its kind.

Before Meszaros’ site came online last week, people had to print out the price lists from Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Giant Eagle and Target, companies that offer many prescription drugs for $4 each or less, and then compare the lists.

Meszaros’ Web site provides all in one place in a side-by-side, easy-to-compare format.

Further, the information is up to date. Meszaros said he is automatically signaled by a computer program when any prices change or a drug is added to or removed from the list, so he can quickly make changes to his information.

The Web site is easy to use with straightforward instructions.

For instance, users can just type in the name of the drug they need, and the price, dosage information and availability of hundreds of prescription drugs will appear.

Users also can use the “advanced search” to look for prescriptions by name or category, such as allergy, antidepressant, diabetes or antibiotics.

Meszaros, 18, a son of Mark and Patricia Meszaros, has been making Web sites for friends for several years. He also did Web sites for his high school and his church, the Mineral Ridge Church of Christ.

He said he has been interested in computers for as long as he can remember, and he comes by his interest and skills understandably. His father once had a computer business, and his older brother, Tony, has a degree in computer science from YSU and works for International Data Management in Akron.

Meszaros, who is a Star Wars fan, said he developed the program because he enjoys creating Web pages and at the same time helping people.

He has plans to expand the site to include the generic form of prescription drugs as another way to potentially save money. Also, people who check out the site are welcome to offer suggestions, he added.

Meszaros sees himself as doing computer programming and developing Web sites for a living.

“It’s fun. It’s a passion of mine. I like to think of new ideas,” he said.