Pills offered (4) less
Generic prescription program features meds for $4
By Tim Gallagher Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, August 07, 2008
One-month supplies of more than 400 generic drugs are offered at Hy-Vee for $4 each. (Photo by Jim Lee)
SIOUX CITY -- The store that promises "a helpful smile in every aisle" has joined the effort in making prescriptions easier and cheaper.
That's the thrust behind the $4 generic drug prescription program at Hy-Vee Pharmacies and Hy-Vee Drug Store in Sioux City.
Here's how it works:
Say you've been diagnosed with high-blood pressure. A Hy-Vee pharmacist fills your prescription and you pay the bill. (Some medications can require up to $40 co-pay for those insured or up to $100 for those not.)
"Usually the patient will look and ask if there might be something cheaper," says Chris Keller, pharmacist and director at Hy-Vee Drug Store at 2726 Pierce St. "And that's when we'll look and see classes of blood pressure medication on the list of 400 drugs offered for $4 in the program."
Keller then locates a generic drug that will cost the patient $4 for a one-month supply, or $10 for a three-month supply.
Up to one-third of Keller's customers have used the program since Hy-Vee began offering it earlier this year. Other major retailers with in-house pharmacies, such as Wal-Mart, also offer the generic discount prescription program.
Keller also likes the ease as enrollment forms aren't required; neither are cards. And it keeps the local pharmacist in contact with the patient.
"The newer part of the program that just rolled out is that if you get one of those 400 drugs and you want to get a 90-day supply, it's $10," Keller says. "This gives people who were paying $10 for a mail-order supply (of 90 days), an option for more one-on-one contact with their pharmacist."
Keller says his customers appreciate the in-store service without having to fill out mail-order forms.
Good meds?
But, the question remains: Are generic medications for ailments like blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and allergies just as good as name brand pills? Keller believes so.
"These are all generic drugs, that's why they are cheaper," he says. "I'm confident they are good. They are widely, widely used. Obviously, these drugs are approved and have gone under testing to prove they are comparable to brand names. The active ingredient and the amount of active ingredient is the same."
Often, the only difference is the color, size or shape of the pill.
"If you have a high co-pay on a medication or you're on a fixed income and might not be able to afford the brand name, we recommend the $4 plan," says Keller, who notes that more than 400 drugs are on the list, one searchable by category at www.hy-vee.com/pharmacy.
"I like the program," he concludes. "It's been a great program for our customers."
Sometimes $8
Pharmacist Chris Keller warns that the $4 generic drug program can sometimes cost a patient up to $8 for a 30-day supply. "The $4 is based on an average month's supply," he says. "That can confuse people. If you take a pill once per day, it's $4. If you take a pill twice per day, the (one-month) price would be $8."
That's the thrust behind the $4 generic drug prescription program at Hy-Vee Pharmacies and Hy-Vee Drug Store in Sioux City.
Here's how it works:
Say you've been diagnosed with high-blood pressure. A Hy-Vee pharmacist fills your prescription and you pay the bill. (Some medications can require up to $40 co-pay for those insured or up to $100 for those not.)
"Usually the patient will look and ask if there might be something cheaper," says Chris Keller, pharmacist and director at Hy-Vee Drug Store at 2726 Pierce St. "And that's when we'll look and see classes of blood pressure medication on the list of 400 drugs offered for $4 in the program."
Keller then locates a generic drug that will cost the patient $4 for a one-month supply, or $10 for a three-month supply.
Up to one-third of Keller's customers have used the program since Hy-Vee began offering it earlier this year. Other major retailers with in-house pharmacies, such as Wal-Mart, also offer the generic discount prescription program.
Keller also likes the ease as enrollment forms aren't required; neither are cards. And it keeps the local pharmacist in contact with the patient.
"The newer part of the program that just rolled out is that if you get one of those 400 drugs and you want to get a 90-day supply, it's $10," Keller says. "This gives people who were paying $10 for a mail-order supply (of 90 days), an option for more one-on-one contact with their pharmacist."
Keller says his customers appreciate the in-store service without having to fill out mail-order forms.
Good meds?
But, the question remains: Are generic medications for ailments like blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and allergies just as good as name brand pills? Keller believes so.
"These are all generic drugs, that's why they are cheaper," he says. "I'm confident they are good. They are widely, widely used. Obviously, these drugs are approved and have gone under testing to prove they are comparable to brand names. The active ingredient and the amount of active ingredient is the same."
Often, the only difference is the color, size or shape of the pill.
"If you have a high co-pay on a medication or you're on a fixed income and might not be able to afford the brand name, we recommend the $4 plan," says Keller, who notes that more than 400 drugs are on the list, one searchable by category at www.hy-vee.com/pharmacy.
"I like the program," he concludes. "It's been a great program for our customers."
Sometimes $8
Pharmacist Chris Keller warns that the $4 generic drug program can sometimes cost a patient up to $8 for a 30-day supply. "The $4 is based on an average month's supply," he says. "That can confuse people. If you take a pill once per day, it's $4. If you take a pill twice per day, the (one-month) price would be $8."
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 5 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
chris wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:29 PM:
Herky wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:45 AM:
I think it's a great deal. My current plan requires me to pay $20 for a 90-day supply, and that includes the meds that I am required to take multiple times per day. "
peter wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:09 AM:
Michele wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:11 AM:
I use the generic brands whenever possible. in fact, one of my daily pills is a generic brand because the name brand doesn't work for my system.
I'm so glad the companies are helping people out with the cost of many of the meds. maybe someday, more will be added. WalMart has even added their OTC brand to the list. "
Barb wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:00 AM: