Wal-Mart Widens Drug Discounts

[XDConvert9mm]

Originally Posted by one-eyed-fatman

So walmart is using their pharmacy like they do the on site gas stations. A ruse to get you into the store to buy other things? Sounds like what your saying.

It is a way to get you in to the stores, much like the "loss leader" sales almost every brick based retailer offers. "Ruse"? Nope, marketing tactic. Just like the cash your stimulus check for free that WMT is also offering.

[cucamelsmd15]

Originally Posted by one-eyed-fatman

So walmart is using their pharmacy like they do the on site gas stations. A ruse to get you into the store to buy other things? Sounds like what your saying.

Originally Posted by XDConvert9mm

It is a way to get you in to the stores, much like the "loss leader" sales almost every brick based retailer offers. "Ruse"? Nope, marketing tactic. Just like the cash your stimulus check for free that WMT is also offering.

Not really. Its a convenience for someone thats already there, at least thats how they view it. I think profit margins on prescriptions when I worked there were mere cents.

But, the stimulus check thing, absolutely. Theres too many hands in the pot in the pharmacy for it to be set up like that.

[XDConvert9mm]

Originally Posted by cucamelsmd15

Not really. Its a convenience for someone thats already there, at least thats how they view it. I think profit margins on prescriptions when I worked there were mere cents.

But, the stimulus check thing, absolutely. Theres too many hands in the pot in the pharmacy for it to be set up like that.

Wouldn't that help prove the point that it is a way to get shoppers in to the stores in addition to being a convenience for shoppers already on site?

[east_stingray]

I didn't know that Wal-Mart worked that way, but I worked for CVS for years (as a tech) and my mom works there now (and has for years) as a pharmacist. She told me that just the opposite is true for Walgreens and CVS type stores. They lose money on pretty much the whole store and make up for it with the pharmacy.

[cucamelsmd15]

Originally Posted by XDConvert9mm

Wouldn't that help prove the point that it is a way to get shoppers in to the stores in addition to being a convenience for shoppers already on site?

Depends on which way you look at it.

Originally Posted by east_stingray

I didn't know that Wal-Mart worked that way, but I worked for CVS for years (as a tech) and my mom works there now (and has for years) as a pharmacist. She told me that just the opposite is true for Walgreens and CVS type stores. They lose money on pretty much the whole store and make up for it with the pharmacy.

When I worked for Wal Mart, on average, CVS and Target which were local to us were ~20% higher on cash price of drugs. In that case, yes, they make money on the pharmacy.

[Cogz]

Originally Posted by cucamelsmd15

Just to clear a few things up here (as I have 8+ years of background in this area).

Your insurance can tell you where you can and cant buy your meds, and which providers (i.e. doctors or specialists) you can or cant see. Dont like it? Find another insurance company. As long as they foot the bill for part of it, they have a say in what goes on. This is why you have "preferred" formularies and "preferred" providers.

While this may be the case for drugs covered by insurance - thats not what this thread is about. Its about cheap generics. In order to get Wal-Mart to give you drugs for free OR at the price negotiated by your insurance company then yes - Wal-Mart must have a contract with your insurance provider.

BUT - if you take a prescription by your doctor to Wal-Mart and SELF PAY the whole thing, you just pay the Wal-Mart price.

Again - this is for cheap generics and in the case of SELF PAY. As soon as you try and get your insurance company to fit part of the bill, this whole concept is null and void.

[Brickboy240]

Hey...wait a minute...maybe Wal Mart is making a profit on those cheap drugs!

We need to take some of those profits and use them to help fund drugs for everyone that cannot afford drugs..right?

LOL

See how silly that sounds? Swap the word drugs for oil and many would probably think that kind of socialistic action is cool.

...boggles the mind.

- Brickboy240

[cjive134]

Originally Posted by ichy_trigger

It shouldnt matter where you go, insurance is only paying a dollar amount and your stuck with the rest. Ive never had any insurance turn down any pharmacy. Maybe Walmart didnt have a particular medicine.

What he's saying is true. I work as a Pharm tech and there are several insurance companies that only allow the use of specific pharmacies, but like someone else said, why not go to walmart and pay cash. If they have a $4 generic that you use, go there and get it.

[Frenchy]

Four of the six meds I take are generic. I present my prescriptions on those and cash pay. The other two are run through my insurance and I copay. Simple and economical for me.

[cjive134]

Originally Posted by east_stingray

I didn't know that Wal-Mart worked that way, but I worked for CVS for years (as a tech) and my mom works there now (and has for years) as a pharmacist. She told me that just the opposite is true for Walgreens and CVS type stores. They lose money on pretty much the whole store and make up for it with the pharmacy.

No doubt about it. That is why we can give the $25 gift cards to get people to transfer a script. Youre tranfering in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in revenue and all they get it a $25 gift card.