Selectmen Vote to Support Discount Drug Card Program

Selectmen last night agreed to support NeedyMeds, a free presciption drug program that will allow residents to save as much as 80 percent off prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and even pet drugs filled at a pharmacy.

Dr. Richard Sagall, MD and president of NeedyMeds told selectmen the program, which is based in Gloucester, saved people $975,000 in the month of November 2011 on prescription drug costs.

Sagall said while the card cannot be used with someone's health insurance, it can be used on medicines not covered by insurance and for over-the-counter medications written like prescriptions, such as Claritan. It can also be used for pet prescriptions purchased in a pharmacy.

 "Sometimes it gives a better price than a co-pay," he said.

The card is already accepted in six pharmacies in town, he said. In addition to helping people save money, Sagall said the non-profit organization aims to train officials in town who work with groups such as seniors to help them apply for governemtn patient assistance programs, which give away low or no-cost medications to people in need.

"It's not just a drug card," he said. "We’re out to help people so we keep costs as low as we can ... there's no cost to anyone for this, we just want help in spreading the word and getting the card distributed," he said.

Sagall said NeedyMeds is already in Lowell and is also working with Dracut. The organization has about 200 partners across the country, he said.

There is no registration or application for the card, Sagall said. Each discount card has the same ID number, which is town-specific and does not track who is using it but tracks the transaction. Each time the card is used for a completed transaction, the organization gives 25 cents to the town "as a way of thanking (the town)."

Sagall said reports are available on a monthly basis as to how many times a pharmacy looked up a transaction, how many times a transaction took place (about 65% of the time, he said) and how much money was saved.

"In Gloucester, we have raised about $2,500 from it, and it just goes to the town's health department and is used for vaccines or printing, but it's up to you where you want the money to go," he said.

Sagall said NeedyMeds will supply as many cards as the town is willing to give out.

Sagall said the pharmacy discounts are a percentage "based upon a negotiated rate for each pharmacy."

"It may vary from drug to drug, and based on wholesale price, which can vary, and it varies form pharmacy to pharmacy. Drug prices are fluid, and they're also negotiable," he said. "If you go into Walgreens and tell them you're going to go to Hannaford because (something is) cheaper, they'll probably match it."

Selectmen voted to support the program and designated Selectman Pat Wojtas, along with Town Nurse Sue Rosa and the Health Department work with NeedyMeds to organize the details.

"It's great to have this available," said Selectman Matt Hanson.

"It's silly to pay more than you have to and people go without medication because it's an easy thing to go without," said Sagall. "You don’t notice high blood pressure until you have a stroke or heart attack."