Tuesday, 12 December 2006
Wal-Mart Expands Drug Program
Wal-Mart is expanding its low-cost prescription drug program to every corner of the United States.
The program offers generic drugs at the low price of $4 for a 30-day prescription. The program was started in Florida, and Wal-Mart had planned to expand it to all 50 states by sometime in 2007. But high consumer demand has created enough confidence to expand the program to the remaining 11 states ahead of schedule.
The program has attracted both praise and criticism for its discount for 160 different generic prescription drugs. Some say that Wal-Mart has opened the door for affordable drugs on the market, and may spark competition to widen the availability of prescription drugs. Shortly after Wal-Mart announced their other program, other large retailers launched similar programs.
Critics say that while the program is helpful for many who otherwise couldn’t afford prescription drugs, the program omits brand name drugs and many other generic drugs. That means that many can’t benefit from the program because their drugs aren’t included in the discount.
Technorati Tags: Prescription Drugs
