Wal-mart's rapidly growing $4 plan
Wal-mart's $4 generic program is growing - more stores, more states, and more scripts are now covered. The latest information has the giant retailer's cheap program operating in over 3000 in-store pharmacies in 32 states. And, the list of drugs has expanded to include 331 prescriptions.
I've received some flak from readers who seem to object to my past posts questioning why Wal-mart is doing this.
Their beef is that they don't particularly care why Wal-mart is doing this, as long as it saves them money.
Its great that some folks are saving money on the Wal-mart plan.
I'm more focused on and interested in the larger implications - for other pharmacies, for drug prices in general, for health care costs, and Wal-mart's apparent interest in becoming a health care provider. According to Wal-Mart, the list of drugs covered under the plan now includes 14 of the top 20 meds; I haven't seen any outside corroboration of this so if you have please send it on.
If that is the case, it marks a major improvement in the original plan, which only covered 2 of the top 20 drugs. Here's the original list.
I'll keep watching for downstream impacts on manufacturers, competitors, pharma benefit plan design and the like.
Comments
I'm not sure I'd buy my prescriptions at Wal-Mart if they dropped it to $1 for common generics. I try not to give them my business in general as a sign of protest. (Spitting in the wind, I know...) I don't begrudge others who for economic reasons must do this. Just not a choice for me.
Posted by: Lisa | November 20, 2006 12:01 PM
Okay then,
If not Wal Mart or Target - how about a regional grocery store ?????
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/news/s_480888.html
http://kdka.com/consumer/local_story_325174604.html
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/health/10373245/detail.html
Yup, while picking up bread, milk and eggs - why not refill a prescription or two... ?
Posted by: The other Joe | November 25, 2006 5:02 PM