Honestmed
Monday, January 29, 2007
Pennsyvania Prescriptions
Prescription for competition
By Rick StoufferTRIBUNE-REVIEW (PITTSBURGH)
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Pharmaceutical shoppers hoping to save money now can find $4 generic prescriptions at three major chain stores, but consumers should compare costs if they have health insurance and should not expect other pharmacies to follow suit. Giant Eagle Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. have brought to Pennsylvania programs offering some of the most popular pharmaceuticals at $4. Some hail the programs as good deals for consumers, but a trade group representing independent pharmacies warned that the plans might not offer real savings.
The programs at Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart and Target offer similar drugs and dosages, making available more than 310 total prescriptions. All offer up to 30-day supplies.
When looking for the best price, shoppers with health insurance plans that include drug coverage should compare what it costs to get medicine by simply paying a co-pay, which varies depending on the price worked out between the insurer and pharmacy.
But in general, consumers without insurance now can get many drugs at low cost, said Monica Skomo, assistant professor at Duquesne University's Mylan School of Pharmacy.
"These programs are going to have a major impact," she said. "There are several of the most widely prescribed medications on the lists and that will benefit a number of people, particularly those with lower incomes."
The cost to fill a generic prescription is more than $4, Skomo said. That means Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart and Target might be looking at the inexpensive prescriptions as loss leaders to bring in non-$4 prescriptions.
Giant Eagle has 93 in-store pharmacies statewide, and Wal-Mart has 131. The number of Target pharmacies in Pennsylvania wasn't immediately known.
Patricia A. Epple, executive director of the 2,000-member Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, a trade group of independent pharmacies, said the programs might not have much impact.
"It's more like a bait-and-switch deal," she said. "The program sounds really good, but when you get to the counter with your prescriptions, you find it applies to a lot of older medications and the offerings are multiple dosages for the same medication."
Epple said between 58 percent and 68 percent of all prescriptions filled at independent pharmacies are generic.
Some competitors said they won't offer a $4 generic plan.
"We have no plans to offer such a program. We feel our close proximity to customers with our many locations outweighs saving a few pennies on prescriptions," said Rite Aid spokesman Jody Cook. Rite Aid has 92 pharmacies in the Pittsburgh area.
Wal-Mart initiated the $4 generic price in late September, starting in Florida. Beginning today, all 3,810 pharmacies in the 49 states where the Bentonville, Ark.-based giant operates its own pharmacies will offer the $4 plan.
The programs vary. Giant Eagle, for example, offers more anti-anxiety, anti-fungal and arthritis-related generics than Wal-Mart, while Wal-Mart makes available cholesterol, gingivitis, incontinence and oncology/cancer generics not offered by Giant Eagle.
"We see these $4 generic prescriptions as very helpful," said Barney Oursler, director of the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee. "A lot of people assume they can't afford drug prices. Now they have the assurance going in that they will pay $4." ¶ 1:41 PM 0 comments
By Rick StoufferTRIBUNE-REVIEW (PITTSBURGH)
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Pharmaceutical shoppers hoping to save money now can find $4 generic prescriptions at three major chain stores, but consumers should compare costs if they have health insurance and should not expect other pharmacies to follow suit. Giant Eagle Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. have brought to Pennsylvania programs offering some of the most popular pharmaceuticals at $4. Some hail the programs as good deals for consumers, but a trade group representing independent pharmacies warned that the plans might not offer real savings.
The programs at Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart and Target offer similar drugs and dosages, making available more than 310 total prescriptions. All offer up to 30-day supplies.
When looking for the best price, shoppers with health insurance plans that include drug coverage should compare what it costs to get medicine by simply paying a co-pay, which varies depending on the price worked out between the insurer and pharmacy.
But in general, consumers without insurance now can get many drugs at low cost, said Monica Skomo, assistant professor at Duquesne University's Mylan School of Pharmacy.
"These programs are going to have a major impact," she said. "There are several of the most widely prescribed medications on the lists and that will benefit a number of people, particularly those with lower incomes."
The cost to fill a generic prescription is more than $4, Skomo said. That means Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart and Target might be looking at the inexpensive prescriptions as loss leaders to bring in non-$4 prescriptions.
Giant Eagle has 93 in-store pharmacies statewide, and Wal-Mart has 131. The number of Target pharmacies in Pennsylvania wasn't immediately known.
Patricia A. Epple, executive director of the 2,000-member Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, a trade group of independent pharmacies, said the programs might not have much impact.
"It's more like a bait-and-switch deal," she said. "The program sounds really good, but when you get to the counter with your prescriptions, you find it applies to a lot of older medications and the offerings are multiple dosages for the same medication."
Epple said between 58 percent and 68 percent of all prescriptions filled at independent pharmacies are generic.
Some competitors said they won't offer a $4 generic plan.
"We have no plans to offer such a program. We feel our close proximity to customers with our many locations outweighs saving a few pennies on prescriptions," said Rite Aid spokesman Jody Cook. Rite Aid has 92 pharmacies in the Pittsburgh area.
Wal-Mart initiated the $4 generic price in late September, starting in Florida. Beginning today, all 3,810 pharmacies in the 49 states where the Bentonville, Ark.-based giant operates its own pharmacies will offer the $4 plan.
The programs vary. Giant Eagle, for example, offers more anti-anxiety, anti-fungal and arthritis-related generics than Wal-Mart, while Wal-Mart makes available cholesterol, gingivitis, incontinence and oncology/cancer generics not offered by Giant Eagle.
"We see these $4 generic prescriptions as very helpful," said Barney Oursler, director of the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee. "A lot of people assume they can't afford drug prices. Now they have the assurance going in that they will pay $4." ¶ 1:41 PM 0 comments
