Today in Michigan Walmart announced a pilot program which will offer a 90-day supply of 300 generic prescriptions, each for $10* via free mail delivery. Beginning today, from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Alpena, Michiganders across the state will be able to take advantage of this new affordable pharmacy program from Walmart by calling 1-800-2REFILL. Additionally, Walmart's free mail delivery program has no gimmicks, no memberships and no enrollment fees. This announcement signals Walmart's commitment to help consumers save money on prescriptions regardless of whether or not they live close to a Walmart pharmacy location (see also Pharmaceuticals).
'When we launched our $4 prescription program in 2006, it truly changed the pharmacy landscape. Consumers were finally able to significantly save on the medications they needed,' said Dr. John Agwunobi, Walmart's president of the health and wellness division. 'So we asked ourselves 'what more can we do?' and vowed to continue looking for opportunities that would bring greater value and convenience to consumers. Our $10 mail delivery prescription pilot program is a reflection of Walmart's commitment to drive unnecessary costs out of the health care system so Americans can live healthier, better lives. Now regardless of whether consumers in Michigan have a Walmart pharmacy in their local community or not, we can help save them money.'
In addition to the 300 generic prescriptions for $10 each, Walmart's free mail delivery program provides access to more than 3,000 other affordable brand and generic prescriptions, making it convenient for Michiganders to fill all their prescriptions via one simple and affordable program, especially if they don't live near a Walmart store or Sam's Club pharmacy.
This new initiative builds on the successful $4 prescription program which to date has saved customers more than $2 billion dollars on their prescriptions, including more than $43 million in Michigan. The company expects this savings number to continue to grow with the addition of this new pilot program.
'Americans deserve access to quality, affordable health care and medications, yet some families today aren't filling prescriptions because of high costs or lack of health insurance,' said Dennis Archer, former Mayor of the City of Detroit. 'Programs like Walmart's offer innovative new pharmacy solutions that better serve all the citizens of Michigan and help drive down costs of health care for everyone.'
Access to affordable medications has become an increasingly important part of the national health care reform discussion in recent years as the costs of care continue to increase. These increased costs are particularly concerning to Michigan's more than 2 million uninsured and underinsured residents* who are forced to pay out-of-pocket for all their medication expenses.
'At Walmart our ultimate goal is to drive costs out of the American health care system,' said Ron Chomiuk, vice president of Walmart's health and wellness division, when announcing the pilot program in Michigan. 'We're excited about the new opportunities this pilot program provides to help us meet the needs of our customers that may not live in an area that is convenient to one of our stores.'
For further information on the program or to begin participating in the new offer, Michiganders can call 1-800-2REFILL or visit www.walmart.com/pharmacyhomedelivery.
* For a complete list of available medications please visit www.walmart.com/pharmacyhomedelivery
Keywords: Pharmaceuticals, Wellness, Wal-Mart.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
