Governor Gregoire Announces Washingtonians Have Saved Over $1 Million on Prescriptions

For Immediate Release: October 25, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that Washington residents have saved nearly $1.2 million on their prescription drugs by using the free, state-sponsored prescription drug discount card.

�It's not every day I get to tell Washingtonians with no prescription coverage that, since March, we've saved them more than $1 million,� said Governor Gregoire. �Our efforts to make health care more affordable for Washington families are paying off and these are real savings that can make a difference to Washington families.�

The money Washington residents are saving is the result of a common sense partnership that allows Washington and Oregon to pool their buying power to purchase drugs at a lower cost and pass those savings directly on to our residents.�

Governor Gregoire in March introduced the card, which is available to all Washington residents regardless of age or income, and can save an average of 20 percent on brand-name drugs and 60 percent on generic drugs.

Since then, over 65,000 Washingtonians have received the card and have used it to fill nearly 47,000 prescriptions, saving an average of $26 per prescription.

The Washington Prescription Drug Program card is available now. Enrollment forms are available on-line at www.rx.wa.gov or by calling 1-800-913-4146. The program is administered by ODS, an Oregon-based pharmacy benefits management company. Mail order and specialty pharmacy services are also available through the program.

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