More Than 400 Pharmacies Sign On to West Virginia’s Prescription Drug Discount Program
West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise (D) announced on Sept. 17 that 420 pharmacies have agreed to participate in the state's new prescription drug discount program for residents over age 60, the Associated Press reports. Seniors with the Golden Mountaineer Discount Card will receive varying discounts based on the type of drug purchased and pharmacy costs. "It may be a dollar on this drug, or two dollars on another drug. It just depends on the pharmacy," Wise spokesperson Amy Goodwin said of the potential savings. The discount card was first created in 1980 but has not been "generally accepted" for prescription drugs. The revamped program expands on the state's Senior Prescription Assistance Network II, a program designed to provide seniors with prescription drug discounts similar to those negotiated by the Public Employees Insurance Agency. Irving-Texas-based AdvancePCS will administer the program. About 400,000 cards will be mailed to residents this week, and the state Bureau of Senior Services will work to enroll additional pharmacies in the program. "For the first time, we have been able to negotiate a pharmacy discount for every senior citizen in the state," Wise said (Associated Press, 9/17).
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