Wal-Mart retail drug clinics save $1B in U.S. prescription sales
Wal-Mart's Senior Vice President and President of Health and Wellness John Agwunobi, MD, reported Monday that the company's inexpensive prescription program has saved $1 billion since its launch in September 2006.
Wal-Mart currently sells 30-day supplies of 361 generic drugs for $4 per prescription.
Agwunobi noted that more than 100 of Wal-Mart's $4 prescriptions are used to treat heart disease and diabetes.
"While $1 billion in savings is an astonishing achievement, the real savings to America — and its health care system — are even larger. That's because many of our competitors have also lowered their prices. Four-dollar 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.” Agwunobi said.
“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," Agwunobi added.
Wal-Mart currently sells 30-day supplies of 361 generic drugs for $4 per prescription.
Agwunobi noted that more than 100 of Wal-Mart's $4 prescriptions are used to treat heart disease and diabetes.
"While $1 billion in savings is an astonishing achievement, the real savings to America — and its health care system — are even larger. That's because many of our competitors have also lowered their prices. Four-dollar 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.” Agwunobi said.
“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," Agwunobi added.