Close-Up Media

			Home	Publications	About	Contact

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club His Milestone

More than one million pharmacy patients are now enrolled in Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, a prescription discount plan, the drug chain reported.

Each day, Walgreens noted, 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.

According to the Company, 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 - 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, the company noted.

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.

Comments on this story may be sent to: newsdesk@closeupmedia.com