Rx savings available in October

PROVO — Utah County residents soon will be able to save money on prescription medication.

The Utah County Health Department has teamed up with the National Association of Counties (NACo) to introduce a prescription discount card, which will allow county residents to purchase medication from participating pharmacies at a reduced cost.

The county health department plans to launch the program in early October, said spokesman Lance Madigan. The free discount cards will be available to any Utah County resident who wants them, regardless of age or income.

Nearly 70 pharmacies in the county have agreed to take part in the program and accept the discount cards. The cards will be available at pharmacies, doctors' offices and government buildings.

"This will allow anyone (in Utah County) to receive about a 20 percent discount on their medication at those pharmacies," said Dr. Joseph Miner, executive director of the Utah County Health Department.

Utah County residents who don't have any medical insurance likely will benefit most from the program, but those with medical insurance may save some money, too.

"Even if you have insurance, you can use the card," said Larry Ellertson, Utah County commissioner and member of the county board of health. "You just can't use it in conjunction with your insurance."

In some cases, it may be cheaper for insured Utah County residents to use the county card instead of paying a deductible for medication.

Utah County will become the 11th county in the state to make the program available to its residents. In October 2005, Davis County became the first county in Utah to sign on to the nationwide program.

The national association has made the program available with help from pharmaceutical services company Caremark Rx Inc., which negotiates with pharmacies to offer discounts on prescriptions.

"It's basically a purchasing arrangement through NACo," Ellertson said. "(Caremark has) gone to these pharmacies and worked out the arrangements."

More information about the prescription discount card and a list of participating pharmacies soon will be available on the health department's Web site, www.utahcountyhealth.org.

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