Supervisors weigh discount prescription plan

By Colin Rigley

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Posted: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 10:45 AM CDT

Calaveras County residents may be able to get prescription drugs cheaper if Calaveras County supervisors approve a new drug discount card program today, but the program could gouge independent pharmacies' profits.

The National Association of Counties began the discount program in 2005, which saves the uninsured and underinsured an average 20 percent in participating counties. Anyone can apply for the card, which requires no forms, no age or income limits and no medical condition restrictions. The program would also come at no cost to the county's general fund.

“One woman reported that she had saved 40 percent on a much-needed prescription,” said Sandy Morrill, deputy director of the Calaveras Works and Human Services Agency.

The program began with 17 participating counties, but has since expanded to 920 counties nationwide and 57,000 participating pharmacies. The discount cards are easy to obtain, and will help reduce drug costs for people who have no insurance, or whose insurance will not cover a particular prescription.For more information on the card program, call the CalWorks office at 754-6448, or visit caremark.com/naco/.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's print edition of the Calaveras Enterprise or our e-Edition.

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