Comments from Molly re: lower Rx costs at Wal-Mart

From Molly Janczyk, October 8, 2006

Dispatch: Sun: 10/8:

.........'the retailer is being accused of using already cheap drugs to lure customers. Industry experts say little more than a marketing move. Wal-Mart's list of $4 generics includes drugs listed over and over again. For ex. amoxicillin is listed 12 times at different dosages.

Of 3000 generic drugs, Wal-Mart chose mostly older ones already inexpensive and sometimes costing pharmacies less than $4, says Med Mutual's Ben Zelman of Ohio. He quoted hydrochlorothiazide to treat high blood pressure costs pennies a pill and sometimes you can find it for less.

People without insurance could save money on select drugs but most have co pays ((and with STRS/Caremark, if the drug costs less than the copay, you pay the lesser cost)).

Critics say some of the more expensive and most prescribed drugs did not make the list. Aetna spokesperson , Wendy Morphew, states these include Zocor, Zoloft,Paxil, Zithromax. She said the drugs on the list don't correlate with the high volume, high cost generics members are using.

If other drug store chains follow this lead, however, it could impact HC costs. Target has started a similar program. The campaigning has been a good public relations move for Wal-Mart which has taken hits for not offering health insurance for its employees says Alwyn Cassil, spokeswoman for Center of Studying Health Systems Changes. She says 'This is a little bright spot in what has been a pretty long string of medical black eyes for Wal-Mart' ((which I am sure most know regarding how they treat employees and many won't shop there as a result)).

((As previously stated, I pay $3.11 for a drug for 90 days; another $11.93 for 90 days, etc. If the drug is less than the copay, you pay the lessor cost already with CareMark. Check carefully! If it seems to good to be true, it usually is but there may be a few instances where you come out better if worth the trip and time)).