Walmart To Offer $4 Generic RX

[dgridley]

Walmart plans to offer 30-day supplies of generic prescription drugs for only $4. This pricing will apply to everyone, insured or not, and will prove a boon to the millions of people who either cannot afford prescription drug coverage or are ineligible for stae-run programs.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,214935,00.html

 

[apexad]

It could draw customers away from big pharmacy chains to Wal-Mart stores that offer a much wider array of products, and it could help Wal-Mart with an image problem stemming from its policies on health insurance for employees.

So now the sick WalMart employees can just give the money from their paycheck back to WalMart. I guess, if they had health insurance they would have to forefit some of their paycheck anyway, but...

I worked for a store once (not WalMart) that gave me a christmas bonus that was a gift certificate to the store. Kinda the same thing. I thought it was retarted. Luckily the store had paper gift certificates and a policy that you only have to spend half, and can get the rest as cash.

 

[dgridley]

Good points..

 

[.X.]

i think it is great thing.....atleast folks can afford the medicines now...that they probably have been only taking half the time they are supposed to...due to not being able to afford them.

 

[dgridley]

Luckily my doctor has always provided either free samples to his patients or up to 60 days supply for only $10.. but this Walmart thing is a great boon to most and smart marketing on their part.

 

[Barrucadu]

WalMart expanding their empire even further, lol

 

[Mark]

Did anyone watch the closing of the stock market after this news ?

The major pharmacies Stock fell like bricks - I believe Walgreen's was the hardest hit ... Last time I looked

Major upset for the people holding Stocks in this industry - Major lift for Wal-Mart

 

[dgridley]

I could see that coming...

Did anyone watch the closing of the stock market after this news ?

The major pharmacies Stock fell like bricks - I believe Walgreen's was the hardest hit ... Last time I looked

Major upset for the people holding Stocks in this industry - Major lift for Wal-Mart

 

[commandercody]

It's a good and bad thing. Good that people can afford their drug's now, bad because by taking profits away from non-generic money making drugs, less research will now be done into new ones.

 

[dgridley]

You could be right, but I'm not so sure.. I don't see why drugs that are produced in the millions cost so much anyway. Specialized drugs for rare conditions might be another story.

I think in the long run it's a good thing.. not everyone has insurance, can afford insurance, or is eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.

My insurance thru work would require that I pay $40+ a month and is barely acceptable in it's coverage IMO. There are deductibles and co-pays for nearly everything...

bad because by taking profits away from non-generic money making drugs, less research will now be done into new ones.