It's getting harder to keep track of all the Rx discount cards.
There's the GlaxoSmithKline Orange Card...LillyAnswers Card...Novartis CareCard...and Pfizer Share Card.
The Together Rx Card is coming in June. It's a combo card that covers 7 manufacturers and about 150 drugs.
These cards make drug companies look good...but not all of them translate into big savings or cover many seniors. Only 30% of Medicare seniors qualify.
Expect a universal discount card to come out of all this. The gov't is now pushing manufacturers and pharmacy groups to work together.
The PharmacyCareOneCard is one such "umbrella" card being planned by the National Assoc of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).
Many drug companies also offer patient assistance programs... to help very low-income patients of ANY age get free meds. For a connection to these, go to www.needymeds.com or www.rxassist.org.
We've made a chart to give you the facts on all the Rx discount cards...including requirements, formularies, and discounts.
Go to www.pharmacistsletter.com for the chart whenever you need updated info on the various discount cards.
Arch Intern Med 2002;162:780.
- Chart: Medication Discount Cards