Cheap generic drugs hit local 'big box' pharmacies
The battle over generic drugs has come to Douglas
County.
Wal-Mart extended its generic prescription drug program
to pharmacies in Wisconsin, Minnesota and nine other
states today.
The plan offers 143 different generic drugs at a
reduced cost -- some as low as $4 for a 30-day supply.
With this rollout, the program is now available at
3,810 pharmacies in 49 states.
Daro Crandall, co-manager of the Superior Wal-Mart,
confirmed the new program began today in Superior.
He said it provides discounts on 331 different generic
prescriptions. While most will cost $4, others could
be more expensive because of Wisconsin's unfair sales
act, which prevents a store from selling an item for
less than cost.
The move comes a week after Target pharmacies launched
a similar plan nationwide that offers approximately
300 different generic prescriptions at the $4 cost.
The Target pharmacy in Superior provides the discount,
which is also subject to the unfair sales act.
In addition, Kmarts nationwide have offered a program
that provides 90-day prescriptions of approximately
128 generic drugs for $15 each since May. It has been
met with positive feedback as well as a growing number
of customers, according to the Superior Kmart pharmacy
staff.
The discounts could have a huge public impact, according
to Lisa Nelson, Wal-Mart senior manager of public
affairs for Wisconsin.
"It's an example of how the private sector can
do good things for customers," she said. "Big
retailers working for the same benefit for all customers;
it has to have an awesome effect on health care costs."
She said the list of discounted drugs account for
one in four of all prescriptions the Bentonville,
Ark.-based Wal-Mart fills. It includes the antibiotic
amoxicillin, the anti-inflammatory Prednisone, the
heart drug Warfarin and the diabetes drug Metformin.
Many of the same drugs are listed on the plan offered
by Target, which is based in Minneapolis.
Brad Beckman, director of the Aging Resource Center
for Douglas County, was pleased to hear the programs
had come to the area.
"Obviously, we're very encouraged by anyone
who can reduce the price of generic drugs," he
said.
Beckman said many seniors enrolled in the Medicare
Prescription Drug Program (Medicare Part D) have reached
the "doughnut hole," where they pay full
price for prescriptions, and are looking for relief
from high drug costs.
But will the big plans squeeze out local businesses?
Charlie Roe, pharmacist at Falk's Lignell Pharmacy
in the Mariner Mall, said he isn't worried about losing
customers to big retailers.
"It's just big hype," he said. "I
don't believe there's too many of the $4 drugs. People
get the wrong impression that all generic drugs are
$4."
The FDA lists 8,730 approved generic drugs. According
to Andrea Hofelich, director of media relations for
the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), generic
drugs already offer cost savings for consumers over
brand-name drugs.
Roe said some generic drugs sell for a mere $5 to
$6 for a 30-day supply. In addition, 90 percent of
his customers have health insurance plans, which typically
provide discounted drugs.
The local pharmacy has been in business since the
turn of the century, moving from its Tower Avenue
location to the mall in 1997. It has always offered
services such as delivery, Roe said, which are important
to customers.
"I don't believe it's that big a deal,"
Roe said of the drug plans.
Jeff Eliason, pharmacist and owner of Peoples Drug
Store, declined to comment until he could look through
a list of the discounted drugs.
To find a list of drugs covered under the Wal-Mart
plan, check with your local pharmacy or look them
up on the Web through the www.walmart.com/pharmacy
site. The Target plan list can be found at the local
pharmacy or online through the Target home page at
www.target.com/gp/homepage.html. A list of the drugs
offered on the Kmart plan is posted at the Superior
Kmart pharmacy.
