Wal-Mart Brings $4 Generics Program to Washington

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., announced that its 44 pharmacies in Washington will begin participating in Wal-Mart's $4 generic prescription program starting today. In addition, the company announced that it is adding 17 more prescriptions to the program.

"We've received an amazing amount of positive feedback from the millions of seniors, working families and uninsured who are already taking advantage of this program," said Wal-Mart President and CEO Lee Scott. "We've added more medicines to our program so we can extend these significant savings to even more Americans. No one should be denied access to the medications they need, and this program is a big step in moving our customers and communities toward access to affordable medicines in Washington."

Today's announcement brought 11 new states with a total of 502 pharmacies into the $4 generics program. Along with Washington, the new states are: Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia. The program kicked off in Florida in September, with plans to spread outside the state in January 2007. However, customer demand led Wal-Mart to accelerate the rollout of the program, which is now available in 3,009 pharmacies in 38 states.

In making the announcement, Bill Simon, executive vice president of Wal- Mart's Professional Services Division, said that the $4 generics program now includes 331 generic prescriptions available for up to a 30-day supply at commonly prescribed dosages. According to http://www.rxlist.com/, the list also includes 14 of the top 20 prescribed medications in the United States. The list is made up of as many as 143 compounds in 26 therapeutic categories.

Generic medicines generally cost between 30 percent and 60 percent less than equivalent brand-name products, and Wal-Mart estimates that its list of $4 generic prescriptions represents more than one in four of the prescriptions currently dispensed in its pharmacies nationwide. To date, as new states have been added to the program, 2.1 million more new prescriptions have been filled in those states as compared to the same time periods last year.

Simon said the customer response has been significant. He said that he has heard hundreds of stories from customers and pharmacists about the program's value. He also noted that many customers have greatly benefited from the savings.

"One of our Dallas-area pharmacists told me about a Hurricane Katrina evacuee who needed two medications costing $155 a month," Simon said. "But with his benefits exhausted, no insurance, and no steady work, all he could get was $25 from a charity to help defray the costs. When our pharmacist discovered that one of his two medications was covered by the $4 program, he worked with the doctor to switch his other cholesterol medication to a $4 alternative. This man went from not being able to afford his medications to having $17 left over, which he used to buy diapers and some staple groceries. Our pharmacist wrote, 'That doesn't sound like a great deal of money, but let me tell you, to someone that has mouths to feed and is worried about not getting their medication, it's huge!' This is just one of many instances that show me how we are changing peoples' lives for the better."

Savings on top-selling prescription medications in the program are projected to be significant. For specific medications, the company estimates the following approximate savings to Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sam's Club customers and members in the 38 states in the program, based on September average retail prices from http://www.myfloridarx.com/

-- Metformin (500 mg), a diabetes medication: about $1.3 million monthly and $16 million annually on this medication. -- Warfarin (5 mg), a medication to prevent blood clots: about $750,000 monthly and $9 million annually on this medication.

Simon said that Wal-Mart will continue to push for expansion to other states as quickly as possible. "We're moving this forward as quickly as possible, but we need to do it in a way that doesn't hamper our ability to serve our customers," he said.

Generics contain the same high quality active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts and are equally effective but cost significantly less. Consumers interested in saving money on prescriptions through the program should ask their doctor if a generic is available for their prescription and is right for them.

At this time, the $4 prescriptions are not available by mail order, but are available online or by telephone for refills only for in-person pickup in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. For further information on the program, including store locations, customers can call 1-800-WAL-MART, go to http://www.walmart.com/, or visit their Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market or Sam's Club in the 38 participating states to discuss the program with their pharmacist or pick up a brochure explaining program details.

In addition to offering the $4 generics program in 38 states, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club pharmacies offer multiple benefits to consumers. With its proprietary interactive computer system, Wal-Mart speeds up workflow and accuracy in product distribution, allowing pharmacists to spend more time with customers.

The company also designates one pharmacy associate per store to be a "Medicare Part D expert," who, in conjunction with its in-store informational kiosks, helps customers understand both the enrollment process and the benefits to which they are entitled. These systems have enabled the retailer to help enroll 1,080,000 people for the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, as of October 26, 2006. Wal-Mart pharmacies' sophisticated coordination of benefits services enables it to process up to four payors for Medicare beneficiaries, and up to three payors for non-Medicare beneficiaries, leading to less reimbursement hassle and paperwork for customers.

Wal-Mart has revolutionized the packaging of pharmaceuticals by offering safer, user-friendly blister packs that contain individual periodic doses of medications, along with details and easy-to-understand instructions for consumers. In addition, Wal-Mart offers low pricing on over-the-counter cough, cold and fever medications. The company estimates its customers will save approximately $20 million on cough, cold and fever medications this cold and flu season.

About Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and NYSE Area stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartfacts.com/.

Wal-Mart/SAM'S CLUB $4 Generic Prescription Program

The following generic prescriptions are available under the Wal-Mart $4 generic prescription drug program, as of November 14, 2006. The price is available in select stores only, and at up to a 30 day supply at commonly prescribed dosages. The prescriptions on this list are subject to change at any time.

Allergy Loratadine 10MG TAB Loratadine 5MG/5ML SYP Analgesics Antipy/Benzo Otic SOL Baclofen 10MG TAB Cyclobenzaprine 10MG TAB Cyclobenzaprine 5MG TAB Lidocaine 2% VISC SOL Tramadol HCL 50MG TAB Anti-anxiety Busiprone 5MG Busiprone 10 MG Anti-inflammatory Betameth DIP 0.05% CRE 15 Betameth DIP 0.05% CRE 45 Betameth VAL 0.1% CRE 15 Betameth VAL 0.1% CRE 45 Betameth VAL 0.1% OIN 15 Betameth VAL 0.1% OIN 45 Dexamethason 0.5MG TAB Dexamethason 0.75MG TAB Dexamethason 4MG TAB Diclotenac 75MG DR TAB Fluocinide ACET 0.01% SOL Fluocinonide 0.05% CRE 15 Fluocinonide 0.05% CRE 30 Hydrocortisone 1% CRE 30 Hydrocortisone 2.5% CRE 30 Hydrocortisone AC 25MG SUP Ibuprofen 100/5ML SUS Ibuprofen 400MG TAB Ibuprofen 600MG TAB Ibuprofen 800MG TAB Indomethacin 25MG CAP Meloxicam 15MG Meloxicam 7.5 MG Methylprednisolone 4MG PAK Methylprednisolone 4MG TAB Naproxen 375MG TAB Naproxen 500MG TAB Piroxicam 20MG CAP Prednisone 2.5MG TAB Prednisone 5MG TAB Prednisone 10MG TAB Prednisone 20MG TAB Prednisone 10MG PAK 48 Prednisone 10MG PAK 21 Prednisone 5MG PAK 28 Prednisone 5MG 6DAY PAK Salsalate 500MG TAB Triamcinolone 0.025% CRE 15 Triamcinolone 0.025% CRE 80 Triamcinolone 0.1% CRE 15 Triamcinolone 0.1% CRE 80 Triamcinolone 0.1% OIN 15 Triamcinolone 0.1% OIN 80 Triamcinolone 0.5% CRE Antibiotic Amoxicillin 125/5ML SUS 100 Amoxicillin 125/5ML SUS 80 Amoxicillin 125/5ML SUS 150 Amoxicillin 200/5ML SUS 50 Amoxicillin 200/5ML SUS 75 Amoxicillin 200/5ML SUS 100 Amoxicillin 250/5ML SUS 100 Amoxicillin 250/5ML SUS 80 Amoxicillin 250/5ML SUS 150 Amoxicillin 250MG CAP Amoxicillin 400/5ML SUS 50 Amoxicillin 400/5ML SUS 75 Amoxicillin 400/5ML SUS 100 Amoxicillin 500MG CAP Amoxil 50MG/ML DRO Bacitracin OP OIN Cephalexin 250MG CAP Cephalexin 500MG CAP Ciprofloxacin 500MG TAB Ciprofloxacin 250MG TAB Doxycycline HYC 100MG CAP Doxycycline HYC 100MG TAB Doxycycline HYC 50MG CAP Erythrocin 250MG TAB Erothromycin 2% SOL Erothromycin OP OIN Erothromycin 250MG ECCAP Gentamicin 0.1% CRE Gentamicin 0.1% OIN Gentamicin 0.3% OP SOL Isoniazid 300MG TAB Metronidazole 250MG TAB Metronidazole 500MG TAB Neo/Poly/Dex 0.1% OPOIN Neo/Poly/Dex 0.1% OPSUS Penicillin VK 125/5MLSOL Penicillin VK 250/5MLSOL Penicillin VK 250MG TAB Selenium SUL 2.5% LOT SMZTMP DS 800160 TAB SMZTMP 20040/5 SUS SMZTMP 40080MG TAB Sulfacetamide SOD 10% OP SOL Tetracycline 250MG CAP Tetracycline 500MG CAP Tobramycin 0.3% OP SOL Polymixin SULF/TMP SOL Antidepressant Amitriptylin 100MG TAB Amitriptylin 10MG TAB Amitriptylin 25MG TAB Amitriptylin 50MG TAB Amitriptylin 75MG TAB Citalopram 20MG TAB Citalopram 40MG TAB Doxepin HCL 100MG CAP Doxepin HCL 10MG CAP Doxepin HCL 25MG CAP Doxepin HCL 50MG CAP Doxepin HCL 75MG CAP Fluoxetine 10 MG TAB Fluoxetine 10MG CAP Fluoxetine 20MG CAP Fluoxetine 40MG CAP Nortriptylin 10MG CAP Nortriptylin 25MG CAP Paroxetine 10MG TAB Paroxetine 20MG TAB Trazodone 100MG TAB Trazodone 150MG TAB Trazodone 50MG TAB Antifungal Fluconazole 150MG TAB Nystat/Triam CRE 15 Nystat/Triam CRE 30 Nystat/Triam OIN 15 Nystatin 100000U CRE 15 Nystatin 100000U CRE 30 Nystatin100000U OIN 15 Nystatin 100000U OIN 30 Antipsychotic Fluphenazine 1MG TAB Haloperidol 0.5MG TAB Haloperidol 1MG TAB Haloperidol 2MG TAB Haloperidol 5MG TAB Lithium Carb 300MG CAP Prochlorperazine 10MG TAB Thioridazine 25MG TAB Thioridazine 50MG TAB Thiothixene 2MG CAP Antiviral Acyclyovir 200MG CAP Anxiety Hydroxyzine HCL10MG/5ML SYP Arthritis Allopurinol 100MG TAB Allopurinol 300MG TAB Colchicine 0.6MG TAB Asthma Albuterol 0.5% NEB Albuterol 2MG TAB Albuterol 2MG/5ML SYP Albuterol 4MG TAB Cardiac Amiloride/HCTZ 550 TAB Atenol/CHLOR 5025MG TAB Atenol/CHLOR100-25MG TAB Atenolol 100MG TAB Atenolol 25MG TAB Atenolol 50MG TAB Benazepril 10MG TAB Benazepril 20MG TAB Benazepril 40MG TAB Benazepril 5MG TAB Bisoprolol/HCTZ 10/6.25 TAB Bisoprolol/HCTZ 2.5/6.25TAB Bisoprolol/HCTZ 56.25MG TAB Bumetanide 0.5MG TAB Bumetanide 1MG TAB Captopril 100MG TAB Captopril 12.5MG TAB Captopril 25MG TAB Captopril 50MG TAB Chlorthalidone 25MG TAB Chlorthalidone 50MG TAB Clonidine 0.1MG TAB Clonidine 0.1MG PACK Clonidine 0.2MG TAB Clonidine 0.2MG PACK Digitek 0.125MG TAB Digitek 0.25MG TAB Diltiazem 120MG TAB Diltiazem 30MG TAB Diltiazem 60MG TAB Diltiazem 90MG TAB Doxazosin 1MG TAB Doxasozin 2MG TAB Doxasozin 4MG TAB Doxasozin 8MG TAB Enalapril/HCTZ 512.5MG TAB Enalapril 10MG TAB Enalapril 2.5MG TAB Enalapril 20MG TAB Enalapril 5MG TAB Furosemide 20MG TAB Furosemide 40MG TAB Furosemide 80MG TAB Guanfacine 1MG TAB Hydralazine 10MG TAB Hydralazine 25MG TAB Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5MG CAP Hydrochlorothiazide 25MG TAB Hydrochlorothiazide 50MG TAB Indapamide 1.25MG TAB Indapamide 2.5MG TAB Isosorbide mono 30MG ER TAB Isosorbide mono 60MG ER TAB Lisinopril-HCTZ 10-12.5M TAB Lisinopril-HCTZ 20-25MG TAB Lisinopril-HCTZ 20-12.5 TAB Lisinopril 10MG TAB Lisinopril 2.5MG TAB Lisinopril 20MG TAB Lisinopril 5MG TAB Methyldopa 250MG TAB Methyldopa 500MG TAB Metoprolol 100MG TAB Metoprolol 25MG TAB Metoprolol 50MG TAB Nadolol 20MG TAB Nadolol 40MG TAB Pindolol 10MG TAB Pindolol 5MG TAB Prazosin HCL 1MG CAP Prazosin HCL 2MG CAP Prazosin HCL 5MG CAP Propranolol 10MG TAB Propranolol 20MG TAB Propranolol 40MG TAB Propranolol 80MG TAB Sotalol HCL 80MG TAB Spironolactone 25MG TAB Terazosin 10MG CAP Terazosin 1MG CAP Terazosin 2MG CAP Terazosin 5MG CAP Triamterine/HCTZ 37.525 CAP Triamterine/HCTZ 37.525 TAB Triamterine/HCTZ 7550MG TAB Verapamil 120MG TAB Verapamil 80MG TAB Warfarin 5MG TAB Warfarin 5MG PAK Cholesterol Lovastatin 10MG TAB Lovastatin 20MG TAB Pravastatin 10MG TAB Pravastatin 20MG TAB Pravastatin 40MG TAB Cough and Cold Benzonatate 100MG CAP Ceron DM SYP Ceron Drops 10 OZ Guaifenesin DM SYP Guiafenex DM ER Promethazine DM SYP Trivent DPC 6215/5 SYP Diabetes Chlorpropamide 100MG TAB Glimepiride 1MG TAB Glimepiride 2MG TAB Glimepiride 4MG TAB Glipizide 10MG TAB Glipizide 5MG TAB Glyburide 2.5MG TAB (BLUE) Glyburide 2.5MG TAB (GREEN) Glyburide 5MG TAB (BLUE) Glyburide 5MG TAB (GREEN) Glyburide MCR 3MG TAB Glyburide MCR 6MG TAB Metformin 1000MG TAB Metformin 500MG TAB Metformin 500MG ER TAB Metformin 850MG TAB Gastrointestinal Belladonna ALK/PB TAB Cimetidine 800MG TAB Cytra2 SOL Dicyclomine 10MG CAP Dicylomine 20MG TAB Famotidine 20MG TAB Hyoscyamine 0.125/MLDRO Hyoscyamine 0.125MG SUB Hyoscyamine 0.125MG TAB Hyoscyamine 0.375 ERTAB Lactulose 10GM/15 SYP Meclizine 12.5MG TAB Meclizine 25MG TAB Metoclopramide 10MG TAB Metoclopramide 5MG/5ML SYP Phenazopyridine 100MG TAB Phenazopyridine D 200MG TAB Promethazine 25MG TAB Promethazine 6.25/5MLSYP Ranitidine 150MG TAB Ranitidine 300MG TAB Gingivitis Chlorhexadrine GLU 0.12% SOL Glaucoma/Eye Atropine SUL 1% OP SOL Pilocarpine 1% OP SOL Pilocarpine 2% OP SOL Hormonal Estradiol 0.5MG TAB Estradiol 1MG TAB Estradiol 2MG TAB Estropipate 0.75MG TAB Estropipate 1.5MG TAB Medroxyprogesterone AC 10MG TAB Medroxyprogesterone AC 2.5MG TAB Medroxyprogesterone AC 5MG TAB Incontinence Oxybutynin 5MG TAB Oncology/Cancer Megestrol 20MG Parkinson's Benztropine 2MG TAB Trihexyphenadyl 2MG TAB Seizure Carbamazepine 200MG TAB Thyroid Levothyroxine 25MCG TAB Levothyroxine 50MCG TAB Levothyroxine 75MCG TAB Levothyroxine 88MCG TAB Levothyroxine 100MCG TAB Levothyroxine 112MCG TAB Levothyroxine 125MCG TAB Levothyroxine 150MCG TAB Levothyroxine 175MCG TAB Levothyroxine 200MCG TAB Vitamins Ethedent 0.25MG CHW Folic acid 1MG TAB Klorcon 10 10MEQ ER TAB Klorcon 8 TAB 8MEQ ER Klorcon M10 TAB Magnesium oxide 400MG TAB Mag64 64MG TAB Multivitamin 0.25MG CHW Multivitamin/FL/FE CHW Multivitamin/BET /FL 1MG CHW Multivitamin/BET 0.5MGFL CHW Natalcare PIC TAB Natalcare Plus TAB Potassium chloride 10% LIQ Prenatal Rx TAB