Wal-Mart’s $4 generic program expanded again
BENTONVILLE, Ark. Wal-Mart’s $4 generic drug program was expanded on Monday to include new elements such as a 90-day, $10 option, several new women’s medicines and 1,000 nonprescription medicines priced at $4 or less.
The changes mark the third time the program has been expanded since it was introduced in the fall of 2006. Since then, Wal-Mart contends it has saved customers more than $1.1 billion and up to 95% of the prescriptions written in the majority of therapeutic categories are now included in the $4 prescription program. In addition, customers can now purchase a 90-day supply of 350 medicines for $10, a change Wal-Mart said gives customers an additional choice and save them time and money without the hassle of purchasing or signing-up for a pharmacy discount card.
Other changes include the addition of medicines such as generic version of the osteoporosis drug Fosamax for $9 for a 30-day supply or $24 for a 90-day supply. In addition, medications to treat breast cancer (tamoxifen), menopause and hormone deficiency were added to the list of $9 medicines, a pricing tier that was added to the program in September 2007.
The other notable change to the program involved the inclusion of branded and private label nonprescription drugs. More than 1,000 products, roughly one third of the OTC drugs available at Wal-Mart and Neighborhood Market stores are available for $4.
“We’re succeeding in our efforts to deliver simple, affordable, quality pharmacy solutions for families struggling with the rising costs of health care,” said Dr. John Agwunobi, president of Wal-Mart’s health and wellness division.
Wal-Mart has promoted the $4 program extensively since its introduction via television commercials, print ads and signage throughout its stores to encourage customers to visit the pharmacy. In addition, the $4 program is frequently held up by senior executives as an example of the retailer’s marketing slogan adopted last summer to help customers save money so they can live better.