Monday, February 23, 2009
Economic survival guide: Drug discounts common now
Even before the economy began to sour, drugstores, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations were offering programs for saving on prescription medications. The result is a multitude of options from drug discount cards to $4 generics at major chains.
Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times
Amy Thompson, a pharmacist at Kroger in Bonsack, checks out a prescription for a customer. The store offers a $4 generic drug program that covers more than 300 medications.
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Economic Survival Guide
These days, the economy is on the minds of many. Weekly through mid-March, we'll give you practical advice on ways to keep yourself in the best financial shape possible.
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- Is this the right time to refinance your home?
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- How to file for unemployment
- Preparing for a layoff
- 10 tips for cutting costs and saving money
- How to make a budget
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$4 generic drugs
National chains including Wal-Mart, Target and Kroger all offer $4 prescription drug programs that are available to anyone. There are no income requirements.
Wal-Mart launched in September 2006 and expanded the program in May to include a 90-day prescription for $10. The program also includes reduced prices for some medications for conditions specific to women such as osteoporosis, breast cancer and menopause. In Virginia, the program has helped 960,000 uninsured residents, according to its Web site. Wal-Mart's program includes more than 350 drugs.
Kroger launched its $4 program in fall 2007 and its expanded $10, 90-day supply program and discounted women's health medications in May. The program includes more than 300 generic drugs.
Target also launched its $4 program in 2006 and added a $10, 90-day supply program in May. The program includes more than 300 generic drugs. Target also has a pharmacy rewards program, where for every 10 prescriptions filled using the store's credit card, REDcard customers earn a 10 percent-off shopping day.
Discounts for a fee
CVS and Walgreens offer discount cards that can be purchased for a small annual fee.
CVS' Health Savings Pass is $10. The pass fills a 90-day prescription for one of more than 400 generic drugs for $9.99.
Walgreens Prescription Savings Club offers discounts on more than 5,000 brand name and generic medications. The program includes a 90-day supply of one of more than 400 generic drugs for $12. The card also gives customers discounts on non-health-related items. It costs $20 for an individual and $35 for a family. A company spokeswoman said about a third of the 1.5 million people enrolled have insurance but use the program to supplement their benefits to access greater discounts.
Pharmaceutical companies
Although typically a more complex approach, some people can qualify for deep discounts and free medications by going straight to pharmaceutical companies. The result is millions of dollars of medications given away by a variety of companies including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Meyers Squibb and others. For example, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals provided almost $23 million in savings to 22,570 Virginia patients in 2008 through its AZ&Me Prescription Savings Program, helping patients fill 140,580 prescriptions.
There are also some clearinghouses that help people sort through the application process. These programs are typically geared toward low-income individuals.
RxAssist is a pharmaceutical access information center that helps qualified patients obtain free medications through the pharmaceutical companies. Visit RxAssist.org.
A similar program is available through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Call 1-888-477-2669.
Free clinics
One of the easiest ways for low-income individuals to receive free prescription medications is to visit a free clinic. Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke not only provides patients access to doctors, nurses and dentists for free medical care, but also provides free medications for low-income individuals including the working poor, college students, those recently laid off and caregivers. Call 344-5156.
Free discount card
United Way of Roanoke Valley began promoting the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card program in 2008. The cards are available free at 57 participating pharmacies throughout the area. Just ask.
The average savings for card users has been 39 percent, or $19.98, per prescription. Locally, about 36,500 prescriptions were filled using the card in 2008, providing about $1.2 million in savings. The program is expected to grow in 2009, said Abby Verdillo, director of community development at United Way.
The cost for medication is the discount price offered through the program, or the pharmacy's usual and customary retail price, whichever is lowest.
