Wal-Mart extends $4 generic drug program to Ohio

10/26/2006

By Lisa A. Bernard
Staff Writer
The Oxford Press
Thursday, October 26, 2006

DAYTON — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the world’s largest retailer, announced Thursday it is rolling out its $4 generic prescription program in Ohio and 11 other states.

The move comes just days after Meijer Inc. announced it was kicking off a free prescription drug program, which covers seven commonly used antibiotics for a two-week supply.

Under Wal-Mart’s program the company will charge $4 for a one-month supply of 314 different prescriptions. That number includes 143 drugs in a variety of dosages and solid or liquid forms.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart rolled out the program in Florida three weeks ago. Last week it added 14 states to the list.

Wal-mart said customer demand led the company to accelerate the program’s launch, which had been set for January.

The low-priced drugs are now available in 2,507 Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Neighborhood Market stores.

In addition to Ohio, states added Thursday are Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire South Dakota and Virginia.

States already with the program are Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Vermont.

In response to Wal-Mart’s announcement, Kmart released a statement to repeat its “support for its 90-Day Generics Program,” which began in May. Kmart’s program allows for a 90-day supply of selected generic prescriptions for $15.