By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
County residents will soon be able to take advantage of a free prescription drug program.
The program, on average, is said to save 10 percent to 50 percent on generic drugs and 10 percent to 20 percent on brand-name drugs. During Wednesday’s Orleans County Legislature meeting, a resolution was passed approving the new program.
Mike Maenza of ProAct spoke May 27 to the Orleans County Legislature about a free program that could give residents an average discount of 36 percent on their prescription drugs.
Mainly, he said, it benefits the uninsured or underinsured, but the card can be used by anyone.
“One place where people are likely to not have coverage where this will be a benefit is that pet medications are also included in this,” said Chief Administrative Officer Chuck Nesbitt. “So if you have pets and you buy medications for them, use the card.”
Maenza said that the card was launched four years ago and has saved $10 million overall in the 20 counties that have signed up to participate. The card will be distributed to every mailbox in Orleans County and can be used in 57,000 pharmacies nationwide. This is an anonymous program and requires no information to be submitted.
“It is very similar to a Tops bonus card, where you’re going to show it when you pick up your prescription no matter where you pick your prescriptions up,” Legislator Lynne Johnson said. “It will discount the price at the register if the health insurance isn’t there.”
When the card arrives, people with questions can call the help desk number on the back of the card to learn more about the program.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
