Study: $4 prescriptions a boost for Wal-Mart

COLUMBUS, Ohio Wal-Mart's low-cost prescription program has proven to be a success, according to a survey by BIGresearch.

Wal-Mart's $4 prescription program, BIGresearch found, helped the retailer move behind Walgreens in terms of popularity amongst households with incomes less than $50,000. Wal-Mart had a 12.6% share of this segment, behind Walgreens's 16.6%, and in front of CVS' 12.1%.

"Wal-Mart pioneered the $4 prescription drug program and forced competitors to respond," said Pam Goodfellow, senior analyst of BIGresearch. "It's no surprise that their move is paying off among lower income consumers, especially during turbulent economic conditions."