Discount drug program may be implemented for residents
Marion County residents may have an opportunity to receive a discount on prescription medications.
Marion County Commission is considering participating in a national program that provides the free discount.
During Thursday's meeting, the commission discussed the program.
If the county signed up for the program, all county residents would be eligible to participate. An agency would distribute the cards.
Independent or privately owned pharmacies such as Marion Healthmart Pharmacy, Greenhaw Pharmacy of Hillsboro, and Don's Drug Store of Peabody, could be contacted by the county and asked to participate in the program. The county cannot contact chains such as Walgreen's or Wal-Mart.
The program is sponsored by National Association of Counties. Currently, there are 30 counties participating in the program and include Butler, Geary, Harvey, Lyon, Reno, Saline, and Sedgwick.
There are no enrollment fees, no age or income requirements, and no medical conditions restrictions. One card would cover an entire family.
There is no cost to the county, taxpayers, consumers, or pharmacies. The company, Caremark, negotiates directly with participating pharmacies.
On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate available with the NACo card. If that occurs, consumers will receive the lower price.
County clerk Carol Maggard will contact other counties in the program. Local pharmacists also will be contacted.
