Wal-Mart bringing drug program

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BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Wal-Mart announced Thursday it is expanding its $4 generic prescription program to Nebraska and 10 other states.

All 28 Wal-Mart pharmacies in the state — including those at the two Supercenters and one Sam’s Club in Lincoln — started offering the $4 prescriptions Thursday.

The company also said Thursday it is adding 17 more prescriptions to the program, bringing the number available to 331 generic prescriptions available for up to a 30-day supply at commonly prescribed dosages.

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Pharmacist Steve Greenfield and technician JoAnne Ash work in the Sam's Club Pharmacy on Thursday morning in Lincoln after company officials announced that all the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in Nebraska would begin participating in the company's $4 generic prescription program. (Eric Gregory)

Pharmacist Steve Greenfield and technician JoAnne Ash work in the Sam's Club Pharmacy on Thursday morning in Lincoln after company officials announced that all the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in Nebraska would begin participating in the company's $4 generic prescription program. (Eric Gregory)

At a Thursday morning news conference at the Sam’s Club near 27th and Superior, company officials touted the plan as a way for the state’s uninsured, especially seniors, to afford needed medicines.

‘This will have a tremendous impact on not only our customers’ pocketbooks, but also their health,” said Dan Fogelman, senior manager for public relations.

Phyllis Allen, who attended the news conference with her husband, Gary, said they were glad to see the program come to Nebraska.

The retired Lincoln couple already fill several generic prescriptions at Sam’s Club, and Allen said she knows of at least four that will qualify for the $4 rate.

Though she said she’s not sure how much the couple would save, “it all adds up.”

The program might also help the couple save money if they at some point become subject to the so-called “doughnut hole” in their Medicare Part D drug coverage, where a temporary break in their coverage would require them to pay full cost for prescriptions.

“It will be very beneficial to us,” Allen said.

Wal-Mart began the program in September, offering the low-cost drugs in Florida, and had plans to expand the offering in January. But the company said it moved up its timetable and now plans to have the program in all 50 states by the end of January.

“We’ve received an amazing amount of positive feedback from the millions of seniors, working families and uninsured who are already taking advantage of this program,” Wal-Mart President and CEO Lee Scott said in a statement. 

Critics have called Wal-Mart’s plan a stunt to draw business and a grab for a bigger share of the drug business. Some have also said the prescriptions Wal-Mart offers discounts on are mostly older drugs.

According to www.rxlist.com, the Wal-Mart list of $4 generics includes 14 of the top 20 prescribed medications in the United States.

Target has previously said it would match Wal-Mart’s prices, but company officials could not be reached for comment Thursday on whether that will happen in Nebraska.

CVS and Walgreens  have noted they already sell several generic drugs for about $5 for a one-month supply.

The other states added Thursday were Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Washington and West Virginia.

In all, Wal-Mart now offers the program in 3,009 stores in 38 states.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.

Price comparison

A couple of examples of the lowest prices found at pharmacychecker.com for drugs being offered for $4 for a 30-day supply at Wal-Mart:

Lovastatin 10 MG tablets, (cholesterol medication) $37.31 for 2 months supply, not including shipping

Amoxicillin 125/5ML 100 suspension, (antibiotic) $11.25, not including shipping.