More than one million pharmacy patients are now enrolled in Walgreens (NYSE:WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG) Prescription Savings Club, the retail pharmacy industry’s most comprehensive prescription discount plan. Each day, thousands of new members opt to take advantage of savings on more than 5,000 brand name and generic medications, including a 90-day supply of more than 400 generic medications for less than $1 per week.
The Prescription Savings Club spans every drug category with significant savings on some of the most commonly prescribed medications, including treatments for pain, asthma, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and women’s health. The club also covers preventive and lifestyle drugs not covered under most insurance plans, such as weight management, smoking cessation, family planning and sexual health. Savings will vary depending on the current cash price in a given area on a given day.
The club, launched last fall, has seen steady growth, driven primarily by one-on-one pharmacist recommendations. In recent weeks, advertising and marketing support has bolstered stronger awareness of the plan, propelling enrollment well beyond the one-million-member marker.
“This plan continues to attract so many people because it truly hits the mark with its breadth of coverage addressing a wide array of prescription needs,” said Walgreens senior vice president of pharmacy services Kermit Crawford. “Add the convenience of 6,400 locations and the security of being able to use one pharmacy for every prescription and the decision to join the club is easy.”
One of the most important benefits of Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is that it allows patients to save on most, if not all, their medications at one pharmacy. Many patients are unaware of the safety risk involved with filling a generic at one pharmacy, an antibiotic at another and a brand name at a third. Using one pharmacy retailer allows pharmacists to screen more completely for dangerous drug interactions. Walgreens pharmacists can access a patient’s Walgreens prescription records no matter which location the patient uses.
Enrollment in the Prescription Savings Club is only $20 a year for an individual or $35 a year for families(1) – a cost many patients recoup with just one prescription filled under the plan. Anyone not enrolled in a publicly-funded health care program such as Medicare or Medicaid is eligible and no prior authorization is required.
Walgreens Prescription Savings Club also covers hundreds of pet medications for substantial savings compared to prices found at many veterinarian offices. In addition, club members receive a 10 percent reward on a wide assortment of Walgreens brand products from OTC medications, baby care and household items to consumables.
“We know a million members is just the beginning for this plan,” said Crawford. “In this economy, people aren’t just looking for low-cost alternatives – they’re searching for the best overall value. We’re offering patients a way to stretch their dollars without sacrificing safety, service or convenience.”
For a complete list of medications covered under the Prescription Savings Club, go to Walgreens.com/rxsavingsclub or visit your local Walgreens pharmacy.
Walgreens is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2007 sales of $53.8 billion. The company operates 6,443 drugstores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and cost-effective health care services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, which is comprised of: Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of 220 convenient care clinics at Walgreens drugstores, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services at 355 employer campuses.
(1) This card does not constitute insurance. Membership fee of $20 per individual or $35 per family per year required. Persons enrolled in a publicly funded health care program are ineligible. Membership may be cancelled within 30 days of issue date. For complete terms and conditions, call 1-866-WCARD-12 (1-866-922-7312) or visit www.walgreens.com/wcard.
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