by Jackie Curtis

Created on: January 16, 2008

Wal-Mart has rolled back prices again and this time it's on prescription drugs. In September 2006, Wal-Mart launched an innovative and daring pilot program in its pharmacies in Florida. Rolling out a $4.00 Prescription drug plan providing relief to customers burdened by higher drug costs, the retail giant attracted a blitz of media attention. Meeting and exceeding the customers needs in the pilot program, Wal-Mart took giant steps to expand the $4.00 Prescription Program in 49 additional states within a matter of weeks. This non-discriminatory program offers the same savings to insured and uninsured alike.

Wal-Mart's Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Bill Simon states Wal-Mart has found a way to impact a growing crisis across America. Wal-mart is shouldering the burden of escalating costs related to healthcare for it's customers. John Agwunobi- Senior Vice President & President of Professional Services for Wal-Mart, believes this program allows consumers "to get the medicines they need at a price that they can afford." (www.walmartfacts.com) Wal-Mart estimates they have saved customers nearly $700 million dollars since the inception of the program. (www.livebetterindex.com/4fact.pdf)

Wal-Mart states they are committed to bringing affordable health care to all Americans. In an effort to fulfill this commitment, they currently offer 361 generic prescriptions for a 30-day supply through their $4.00 Prescription Program. A full list of the drugs offered may be found at www.walmart.com/pharmacy. As the program continues to draw much attention and success, Wal-Mart seeks ways to expand the program to offer additional financial relief to its customers. They continue to add commonly prescribed medications to the program and currently offer "... a quality prescription product for up to 95 percent of the prescriptions written in the majority of therapeutic categories." (www.livebetterindex.com)

Wal-Mart's commitment to its customers has also had public impact. Wal-Mart found nearly 30 percent of its $4.00 prescriptions are filled by uninsured customers. (www.livebetterindex.com) These are people who may have avoided being treated and having prescriptions filled. This alone may save millions of dollars in future health related costs. This program also offers benefits to Medicare beneficiaries. It allows beneficiaries a lower cost option if having to pay 100 percent of their prescription costs due to gaps in limits in coverage.

While Wal-Mart offers financially and healthy solutions to its customers, it also raises the bar for competitors. Once again, healthy competition aids the consumer, for other retail giants are looking for ways to follow in Wal-Mart's footsteps. Wal-Mart is the first company to offer the consumer affordable drug choices, and you can bet it won't be the last. Wal-Mart is a powerful force in the retail business industry and only time will tell if this program is a keeper. In the meantime, the program is certainly worth checking out - especially if tight on money, uninsured, or looking for ways to reduce tapping out yearly limits on prescription drugs.

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