$4 prescription drugs
Save big on prescription drugs
In 2006, Wal-Mart introduced the $4 prescriptions at a few stores, starting in Tampa Bay, FL. Sam’s Club, owned by Wal-Mart, also offered them. Walgreens and Target quickly followed suit. Wal-Mart has expanded the program to more than 3000 of its stores.
At Wal-Mart, there are 331 generic products made up of 143 drugs, some counted more than once because of different dosages sold or both liquid and solid forms. A 30-day supply is $4 when you purchase a drug off this list.
Critics have said there are more than 8700 generic drugs so this is more of a publicity stunt. Wal-Mart said the list covers generic forms of 14 of the 20 most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, based on a list of the top drugs compiled by the Web site rxlist.com. Wal-Mart said it launched the program in an effort to save working Americans money on health care. The company has been under mounting political pressure led by union groups over its labor practices, including health insurance. In any case, there are now some generics that cost less than the normal co-pay for many health insurance plans.
Kmart has a 90-Day Generics Program, which began nationwide that same year. Customers average $5 a month on refills and save on time and gas by having to refill only once every three months, according to the statement.
Costco tried the $4 prescription plan but dropped it in a few months, saying they were losing money. Instead of the $4 deal, Costco offers its customers 100 pills for $10 which amounts to a couple cents more in expense per pill as opposed to the $4 prescription plan.
My experience
A couple of months ago (2008) I was given a prescription for Cephalexin 500 mg just in case a tooth flared up while I was traveling. When I picked it up at Wal-Mart, I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was only $4. Last week, after dental surgery, I had to take another antibiotic that was not on the list. $80! Ouch.
You can find the list of generics that are included on the Web or by asking the pharmacist at a chain that offers the program. Take the list with you on doctor visits to see if your physician will prescribe something from the list - if appropriate and you need that type of drug. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
See also Health Insurance Options Part 3 for more ways to save on prescription drugs as well as read the review of Drugs for Less by Michael P. Cecil, M.D.