Discount prescription card making impact

By Eloria Newell James, community@laurelleadercall.com

June 29, 2009 09:59 am

— After its first month of offering citizens the opportunity to get a discount on prescription drugs, the City of Laurel reports that its drug card program is working well.
The City of Laurel in May began sponsoring a drug card program that offers citizens the opportunity to get a discount on prescription drugs.
Wanda Benson with the city’s public relations office said the program provides its residents with a new tool that can give some relief from the high cost of prescription drugs.
“The City of Laurel and the National League of Cities Prescription Discount Card Program is having a positive impact on those who are using the card to defray the cost of their prescriptions,” Benson said. “In the month of May, 68 residents of Laurel presented 146 prescriptions at local participating pharmacies for a saving of 21.8% or $1,301.36.”
According to city officials, the city in conjunction with the National League of Cities (NLC) is sponsoring the program.
Benson said the discount cards offer residents an average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs not covered by insurance.
“During these distressed economic times any savings that are possible helps in the long run,” she added.
Benson said the National League of Cities will provide a Member Utilization Report each month to keep the public updated on the effectiveness of the program. She said the report currently shows that there are only three cities in Mississippi participating in the Prescription Discount Card Program. Those cities are Hattiesburg, Grenada and Laurel.
Officials said it’s not hard for citizens to take advantage of the program.
“Not only does the NLC prescription discount card help residents save money on the medications, it is easy to use,” said Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack. “Laurel residents only have to show their card when purchasing medications at one of the many participating pharmacies.”
Benson said the NLC and the City of Laurel are able to make these money-saving cards available to city residents at no cost to the individual.
These cards are available at participating pharmacies and from the Laurel City Clerk’s office at Laurel City Hall.
Officials said all residents are asked to take part in the program.
“Each month, we hope to see more and more residents take advantage of this discount card.” said Mayor Mack.
Officials said the program is administered by CVS Caremark and is available to all residents.
Mack said access to the program is easy.
“There is no enrollment form required to get a card, no membership fee of any kind,” the mayor said. “City residents and their family members can use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.”