The Drugstore War Is Back On

It looks like the drugstore war may back on for August.

Walgreens has announced its expanded generic drug program which includes pet prescriptions - yay!

CVS is working to promote its recently redesigned online pharmacy with its Prescription Management system which allows customers to view and print their prescription history, order refills and transfer prescriptions and manage their children’s prescriptions. Plus they have a new ‘See What’s Free’ campaign this month.

Riteaid is continuing to run a promotion for customers who switch a prescription to Rite Aid and get a free $30 gift card. Plus it qualifies for an entry in a weekly drawing for a chance to win a year's worth of free gas.

Read the details of Walgreens new drug program and more drugstore news.

Walgreens Expands Generic Drug Program

Deerfield-based Walgreen Co. has expanded its Prescription Savings Club to offer a 90-day supply of more than 400 generic medications for $12. The list of generic medications includes commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of pain, asthma, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and women’s health.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, which launched last fall, also offers savings on more than 5,000 brand name and generic medications in every drug category. The plan was developed by pharmacists to cover treatments for common and chronic conditions, as well as preventive and lifestyle drugs not covered under many insurance plans, such as weight management, smoking cessation, family planning and sexual health. Hundreds of pet medications are also covered for substantial savings compared to prices found at many veterinarian offices, the drug store said.

The program has proven to be an attractive option not only for the uninsured, but anyone purchasing a medication not covered under their insurance plan. Savings will vary depending on the current cash price in a given area on a given day.

For example :

• An uninsured Walgreens patient who pays the club price of $12 for a 90-day supply of the generic diabetes drug metformin would typically save about $50.

• A Walgreens patient treating high cholesterol who pays a discounted club price of $45.97 for a 90-day supply of generic simvastatin would typically save about $115.

• A Walgreens patient treating seizures who pays a discounted club price of $140.53 for a 30-day supply of the brand-name drug Topamax would typically save about $33.

Enrollment in the Prescription Savings Club is $20 a year for an individual or $35 a year for families. Anyone not receiving government-sponsored prescription coverage such as Medicare or Medicaid is eligible and no prior authorization is required.
For complete terms and conditions, call 1-866-WCARD-12 (1-866-922-7312) or visit www.walgreens.com/wcard.

Comparing Apples to Apples

In May 2008, Wal-Mart expanded its $4 Prescription Program to include prescriptions for up to 350 generic medications at $10 for a 90-day supply plus more than 1,000 over-the-counter medicines for $4 or less. Purchasing or signing-up for a pharmacy discount card is not required. The program is available at Wal-Mart stores, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club.

CVS/pharmacy Announces New Campaign - "See What's Free"

For all you CVS ExtraCare fans, CVS/pharmacy announced today that it has launched a new campaign called ‘See What’s Free’ that will make more than 50 million of its customers eligible for a free “thank you” gift simply for shopping at a CVS/pharmacy store during the month of August.

Campaign Details

From August 1 thought August 31, CVS/pharmacy will be giving free gifts to all ExtraCare members when they make their first purchase in August. Each cardholder is eligible for one free gift and coupons are available in advance of their shopping trip via the ExtraCare Coupon Center (in select store locations). Customers then have seven days to redeem their coupons (from their individual print date).

What is ExraCare?

CVS/pharmacy’s ExtraCare program is a consumer rewards program which gives Cardholders two percent of all purchases back quarterly, delivered in the form of free “CVS money” called Extra Bucks rewards. Members receive benefits such as instant targeted offers on register receipts.

Plus ExtraCare members have enrolled in CVS/pharmacy’s email alerts program, which delivers additional coupons and health and beauty information directly to shoppers’ email inboxes.