COUNTY RESIDENTS SAVE $15,000 ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASES

(07/31/2006)
The Calhoun County Commission launched a discount prescription card program last November.

The program was to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs, obtaining up to 20% discount .

Commission president Larry McCallister says county residents have now saved $15,197 on their medications, using the card.

The free prescription drug discount cards are available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo), and can still be obtained in the County Clerk's office.

The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, or existing health coverage, and are accepted at all county pharmacies.

A national network of more than 57,000 participating retail pharmacies will also honor the NACo prescription discount cards.

The NACo prescription discount card offers significant savings for the uninsured and under-insured, and even those fortunate to have prescription coverage can use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan.

Residents do not have to be Medicare beneficiaries to be eligible for this program.

"Using the NACo prescription discount card is easy," said McCallister. "Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance."

The program is administered by Caremark.