Wal-Mart Widens Drug Discounts - XDTalk Forums

**Frenchy** · 05-06-2008, 05:11 AM

Wal-Mart Widens Drug Discounts

By ANN ZIMMERMAN
May 6, 2008; Page D2

In another expansion of its cut-rate prescription-drug program, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it will sell 90-day supplies of more than 300 generic drugs for only $10, taking aim at the burgeoning mail-order pharmacy business by undercutting their prices on some drugs and speeding delivery.
In addition, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer said it is adding a second pricing tier to the heavily discounted program for more-expensive medications geared toward women's health. It is adding $9 generic prescriptions for up to a 30-day supply on a handful of drugs for treating osteoporosis, breast cancer, menopause and hormone deficiency.

For instance, alendronate, the generic version of osteoporosis medication Fosamax, will be added to the list. Pharmacies in Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market stores will offer 30-day prescriptions of alendronate for $9 and a 90-day supply for $24, compared with the previous price of $54 and $102, respectively, the company said. Tamoxifen, a breast-cancer treatment, will sell for $9 for a 30-day supply.
Wal-Mart for the first time is now selling over 1,000 over-the-counter medications at $4, including its private-label Equate brand versions of drugs such as Zantac and Claritin, as well as its Spring Valley private label prenatal vitamins. The price is about 50% lower than at many other national-chain drugstores and supermarkets, Wal-Mart said, citing internal research. The selection represents about a third of Wal-Mart's over-the-counter drug offerings.
Since launching its $4 generic prescription drug program in September 2006, Wal-Mart has seen pharmacy sales grow as a percentage of its overall sales. In the fiscal year to Jan. 31, health and wellness sales, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, accounted for 9% of its U.S. sales of $239.5 billion, up from 8% two years before. Analysts estimate that drugs account for about half of those sales. The majority of the 350 generic drugs that Wal-Mart sells for $4 will be available at $10 for a 90-day supply.
Wal-Mart expects some competitors to again match these programs. Late Monday, Target Corp. said it plans to match all facets of Wal-Mart's discount prescription and over-the-counter drug plan.
Write to Ann Zimmerman at ann.zimmerman@wsj.com

****************************************
Like wallyworld or not, this is a good thing considering the economy.

**Ed Ely** · 05-06-2008, 06:52 AM

This is news! Something that will
help everyone.

Ed

ichy_trigger · 05-06-2008, 07:30 AM

No wait, Walmart is an evil empire!

AZXD · 05-06-2008, 09:18 AM

Well .... All chemicals are cheaper in China ... So I'm sure the profit potential will remain favorable

**Frenchy** · 05-06-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZXD

Well .... All chemicals are cheaper in China ... So I'm sure the profit potential will remain favorable

With all due respect AZXD, this is the help that the government won't provide, but a capitalist corporation will.
I pay $140.00 a month for maintenance medication, and that is with insurance. That's quite a strain on my meager budget if I want to remain alive.

AZXD · 05-06-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenchy

With all due respect AZXD, this is the help that the government won't provide, but a capitalist corporation will.
I pay $140.00 a month for maintenance medication, and that is with insurance. That's quite a strain on my meager budget if I want to remain alive.

Understood, and we're talking about the same government that says you can't make the purchase yourself in Canada or Mexico .... So Wal-Mart got the green light. It's what happens when Government interests are aligned with Corporate objectives.

Perhaps we should be looking at the profit of big drug and Insurance, with the same level of enthuisasm that big oil falls under scrutiny.

ETA: I'm not knocking Wal-Mart!! But I am stating what I believe to be a major reason for the low price.

Brickboy240 · 05-06-2008, 03:11 PM

Wow...a post that includes Wal Mart that is not a direct attack on Wal Mart!

Refershing to say the least. I thought Wal Mart was the focus of evil in the modern world.

- Brickboy240

**Frenchy** · 05-06-2008, 03:28 PM

My local grocery pharmacy has gone to the same policy. It saves us working poor a lot of money.

Brickboy240 · 05-06-2008, 03:39 PM

Yep, if they don't keep the drug prices as low as possible, big pharma will get the same treatment that big oil is currently getting....right?

- Brickboy240

ichy_trigger · 05-06-2008, 03:56 PM

Cars are too damned expensive, I want the Gov. to regulate auto makers!

05-06-2008, 05:11 AM	#1
Frenchy XDTalk 20K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Near the banks of the Missouri and Osage Posts: 20,852	Wal-Mart Widens Drug Discounts Wal-Mart Widens Drug Discounts By ANN ZIMMERMAN May 6, 2008; Page D2 In another expansion of its cut-rate prescription-drug program, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it will sell 90-day supplies of more than 300 generic drugs for only $10, taking aim at the burgeoning mail-order pharmacy business by undercutting their prices on some drugs and speeding delivery. In addition, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer said it is adding a second pricing tier to the heavily discounted program for more-expensive medications geared toward women's health. It is adding $9 generic prescriptions for up to a 30-day supply on a handful of drugs for treating osteoporosis, breast cancer, menopause and hormone deficiency. For instance, alendronate, the generic version of osteoporosis medication Fosamax, will be added to the list. Pharmacies in Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market stores will offer 30-day prescriptions of alendronate for $9 and a 90-day supply for $24, compared with the previous price of $54 and $102, respectively, the company said. Tamoxifen, a breast-cancer treatment, will sell for $9 for a 30-day supply. Wal-Mart for the first time is now selling over 1,000 over-the-counter medications at $4, including its private-label Equate brand versions of drugs such as Zantac and Claritin, as well as its Spring Valley private label prenatal vitamins. The price is about 50% lower than at many other national-chain drugstores and supermarkets, Wal-Mart said, citing internal research. The selection represents about a third of Wal-Mart's over-the-counter drug offerings. Since launching its $4 generic prescription drug program in September 2006, Wal-Mart has seen pharmacy sales grow as a percentage of its overall sales. In the fiscal year to Jan. 31, health and wellness sales, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, accounted for 9% of its U.S. sales of $239.5 billion, up from 8% two years before. Analysts estimate that drugs account for about half of those sales. The majority of the 350 generic drugs that Wal-Mart sells for $4 will be available at $10 for a 90-day supply. Wal-Mart expects some competitors to again match these programs. Late Monday, Target Corp. said it plans to match all facets of Wal-Mart's discount prescription and over-the-counter drug plan. Write to Ann Zimmerman at ann.zimmerman@wsj.com ************************************** Like wallyworld or not, this is a good thing considering the economy. __________________ ~SC Harvey~ "The Republicans know we have a constitution, and they dismiss it with contempt and arrogance ... The Democrats simply never heard of it ..."--Livyjr-2008 "Patriots don't let patriots vote stupid..."--**Frenchy-2009
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05-06-2008, 06:52 AM	#2
Ed Ely Deputy Sheriff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: 37.65N -84.76W (Elev. 932 ft) Posts: 9,109 Blog Entries: 2	This is news! Something that will help everyone. Ed
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05-06-2008, 07:30 AM	#3
ichy_trigger XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 10,366	No wait, Walmart is an evil empire! __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png
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05-06-2008, 09:18 AM	#4
AZXD XDTalk 25K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 28,635	Well .... All chemicals are cheaper in China ... So I'm sure the profit potential will remain favorable
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05-06-2008, 03:11 PM	#7
Brickboy240 XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 14,265	Wow...a post that includes Wal Mart that is not a direct attack on Wal Mart! Refershing to say the least. I thought Wal Mart was the focus of evil in the modern world. - Brickboy240 __________________ We've gone from Neo-Cons to Neo-Coms. Neither are desirable, if you ask me. Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!
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05-06-2008, 03:28 PM	#8
Frenchy XDTalk 20K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Near the banks of the Missouri and Osage Posts: 20,852	My local grocery pharmacy has gone to the same policy. It saves us working poor a lot of money. __________________ ~SC Harvey~ *"The Republicans know we have a constitution, and they dismiss it with contempt and arrogance ...* The Democrats simply never heard of it ..."--Livyjr-2008 *"Patriots don't let patriots vote stupid..."--*Frenchy-2009
	Share

05-06-2008, 03:39 PM	#9
Brickboy240 XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 14,265	Yep, if they don't keep the drug prices as low as possible, big pharma will get the same treatment that big oil is currently getting....right? - Brickboy240 __________________ We've gone from Neo-Cons to Neo-Coms. Neither are desirable, if you ask me. Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!
	Share

05-06-2008, 03:56 PM	#10
ichy_trigger XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 10,366	Cars are too damned expensive, I want the Gov. to regulate auto makers! __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png
	Share

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