Wal-Mart Saves $1 Billion On Prescription Drugs

Wal-Mart saves More Than $1 Billion On Prescription Drugs Wal-Marts senior vice president and president of health and wellness Dr. John Agwunobi will confirm a major milestone for the companys $4 prescription program later today. Since its launch in September 2006, the program has now saved Americans more than $1 billion ($1,032,573,012.61 as of March 10, 2008). In his prepared remarks, Agwunobi will mention that more than 100 of Wal-Marts $4 prescriptions are used to treat heart disease and diabetes. He will also add: "While $1 billion in savings is an astonishing achievement, the real savings to America - and its health care system - are even larger. Thats because many of our competitors have also lowered their prices. $4 prescriptions now represent approximately 40 percent of all filled prescriptions at Wal-Mart. "Nearly 30 percent of $4 prescriptions are filled without insurance -- significantly higher than the 10 percent industry trend. But more importantly, this program has meant that people can now take the drugs that were prescribed to them. They no longer need to cut pills in half or not take the drugs at all." Wal-Mart, Sams Club and Neighborhood Market customers in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Missouri top the savings list respectively, each with more than $40 million in prescription drug savings. Editors: A breakdown by state is available at http://www.livebetterindex.com/health.html. (Copyright 2007 Newsroom Solutions, LLC) Delivered by Newsroom Solutions RNS-03-14-08 0817CDT