Walmart’s $4 Generic Drugs Helpful to Seniors

Just two weeks after Walmart introduced the $4 generic brand drugs program in Florida, they have expanded the program to 14 other states. That was one week ago today. Originally, Florida was to be the only state with the program, in test mode, until January of 2007. Apparently, the program has been so successful in Florida and the outcry of other states wanting to be included the program so loud, that those top executives at Walmart with the power to make things happen have done just that yet again.

According to a PRNewswire story, 12 additional states have now been included in that program. As of today, October 26th, 2006, the states now included in the program are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.

For those seniors on a limited income and with chronic illnesses requiring daily medication, this program is a welcome budget relief. Apprarently, the customer responses to this new program are extremely positive. More than 152,000 new prescriptions were filled by Walmart pharmacies in all of the 14 newly-added states within just four days of the October 19th program roll-out announcement. It will be interesting to follow these numbers as new states are added.

In a USAToday article, other pharmacies in competition with Walmart for market share are also jumping on the bandwagon of generic discounts. Target announced that it has agreed to match the $4 price in all states except Alaska and Vermont, where it doesn’t have stores. Kmart, too, had already begun a program in May of ‘06 in all of its 1100 pharmacies where it offers a 90-day supply, from a selection of 184 generic drugs, for $15. Kmart currently intends to continue with this program in its present form.

While there are many drugs not yet with a generic alternative, there are quite a few common drugs that do have one. With this potential substantial savings, it would definately be something worth asking your doctor about. Keep in mind that most generic drug names are chemical names and not ones that consumers are familiar with, so it is best to ask your pharmacist or physician if you are unsure if a drug you are taking is offered in generic form. It should also be noted that not all generic drugs are currently included in this program. Right now, there are around 314 generic prescriptions available. The generic drugs (pdf) currently available with the $4 Walmart plan is said to comprise about 25% of generic prescriptions currently dispensed in its pharmacy nationwide. Hopefully, in time we will see more drugs added to this list.

In addition to the $4 generic drug program, Walmart states that it will designate one pharmacy associate to be the “Medicare Part-D expert,” with the intention of helping the customer understand both the enrollment process as well as the benefits to which they are entitled. Considering the complexity of the Medicare Part-D program, this along with in-store informational kiosks, may prove to be a very helpful resource for seniors. If this proves to be as successful a service as I think it will be, I wouldn’t be surprised to see other pharmacies soon offer similar services to their pharmacy customers.

As the magic of capitalism is currently working toward the best interest of the pharmacutical consumer, remember to speak up and advise your pharmacist if you are currently taking a generic drug that is not available under the plan. Walmart and other stores offering this program are still in the business of making a profit (don’t forget that), and it is their hope that by customers coming into their store to buy prescription medicines that sales in other more profitable areas of the store will increase. That is why these prices are not currently offered via mail order. But in order to get customers in to buy these medications and hence shop throughout their store, they must offer medicines that customers will deem worth their effort to make the trip. Right now this program is new, and something tells me that those in high places within the corporation are listening intently to the customer. I can’t say for sure, but I think right now might be a great time to speak up with a moderate chance of being heard.