Prescription Programs at Local Pharmacies

By Heather Canter

This is the second installment of a two-part series featuring prescription programs that offer low cost or free prescription medications to those in need.

Most of the time, money is a key issue for families with the cost of groceries, heat, electricity and medications constantly on the rise. Discounts and programs which can help residents acquire needed medications are offered by area pharmacies.

Most people are aware of the popular $4 prescription program available at pharmacies such as Walmart. Many prescription medications can be purchased for only $4 for a 30 day supply and $10 for a 90 day supply. Walmart said that by offering the 90 day supply, it gives more choices to customers and physicians who may have been limited to mail order prescriptions in the past. They have also expanded the program to include more than 1,000 over the counter (OTC) items priced at $4 or less without a prescription. They lowered prices on many frequently purchased OTC items to ensure that almost one-third of its OTC medicines are now $4 or lower. Many commonly used medications such as the Equate-brand versions of popular drugs like Zantac, Pepcid and Claritin are also priced at $4.

"Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as their 'brand name' counterparts, but cost significantly less. Consumers interested in saving money through the program should ask their doctors if a generic is available for their prescription and is right for them," according to a press release from Walmart.

For more information on Walmart's program, call 1-800-925-6278 or (336) 246-3119, click to www.walmart.com/pharmacy or visit the local store at 1489 Mt. Jefferson Road in West Jefferson.

Rite Aid Pharmacies offer customers an Rx Savings Card which benefits consumers with savings on more than 500 generic medications. Through the savings card, customers can pay just $8.99 for 30 days of select generics and $15.99 for 90 days. Twenty percent can also be saved on other name brand and generic prescription medications. There is no enrollment fee with this program; however, a nominal processing fee may apply. The card also features a 10 percent savings on Rite Aid Brand products every day. Click to the company's website, www.riteaid.com, visit them locally at 749 East Main Street in Jefferson or call (336) 246-9111 for more information.

For CVS Pharmacy, they offer a Health Savings Pass. The cost is $10 annually, per person, and offers a 90 day supply of over 400 different generic prescriptions for $9.99 each and 10 percent off at CVS's MinuteClinic on any regular priced health service or screening. More information about the program can be found at your local CVS Pharmacy at 2 Crescent Drive in West Jefferson, by calling them at (336) 246-2790 or on-line at www.cvs.com.

People's Drug Store Owner Michael Badger said they would beat competitor's prices and have many generics available to customers at $4. He also said that regular customers can call him at home when they have an emergency and need a medication. This service offers convenience and a personal touch for customers. People's Drug is located at 423 East Second Street in West Jefferson and can be reached at (336) 246-9990.
Jefferson Drug said they offer discounts better than discount cards through other local pharmacy programs. They also honor the $4 prescription plans like Wal-Mart has, according to Jennifer Greer, cashier at the pharmacy. Jefferson Drug is located at 418 East Main Street in Jefferson and can be contacted at (336) 246-9492.

At Warrensville Drug, located in Warrensville next to Mountain Grocery, they try to give customers the best price they can overall, keeping prices as low as possible all across the board. Owner Mack Powers said the pharmacist always talks to the patients with each new prescription to help them understand the medication and the best way to take the medication as well as the best way to make the medication as cost effective as possible.

Powers said it is better for patients to have all their medications at one pharmacy so the pharmacist is aware of what you're taking and can watch for medicines that might interact badly with one another.

"We enjoy the customers who come in and have supported us for the 20 years that we've been open. They're not just customers. They're friends," said Powers.

Powers said they especially enjoy working with diabetes patients to assist them in getting the medicines and equipment they need. Also, as a service to customers, Warrensville Drug will bill Medicare and Medicaid for diabetes testing supplies. Warrensville Drug is located at 5121 NC 88 West in Warrensville and can be reached at (336) 384-3900.