Broward County residents who used Prescription Drug Discount Cards offered by the County's  Community Partnerships Division, in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), saved nearly $600,000 over the retail cost of prescription medications in 2010. The card was used by an average of nearly 1,400 Broward County residents each month and presented more than 16,000 times (based on multiple prescription orders).

In May 2007, Broward County launched a discount card program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. The County is making free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo). To date, an average of 1,896 people have used the card each month and saved $1.9 million over the retail price.

The cards may be used by all County residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and at any participating retail pharmacy. A national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies also will honor the NACo prescription discount card, including most chain pharmacies and many independents. Cards can be picked up free of charge at many Broward County government facilities, including parks, libraries, transit facilities, the downtown Governmental Center and the County's four Family Success Centers.

There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance. Unlike many other card programs, there is no enrollment cost or membership fee. The cardholder pays the negotiated discount price or the pharmacy's retail price, whichever is lower. Cardholders are eligible for higher discounts on a three-month supply of some medications through mail service. Cardholders also can save on pet prescriptions at participating retail pharmacies.

The program has a safety feature that alerts pharmacists when one drug may conflict with another medication the cardholder is taking, if the prescriptions were obtained with the NACo discount card.

The NACo discount card program remains a useful option now that Medicare Part D has been implemented. For example, the card can be used when a Medicare Part D plan doesn't cover a drug. The program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc., a leading pharmaceutical services company with broad experience in managing drug discount card programs for sponsoring clients. The program is available at no cost to Broward County taxpayers.

Discount Prescription Card Also Applies to Pet Medications

Now, Broward County Animal Care and Regulation reminds residents that these cards can not only help you cope with the high price of prescription drugs for yourself, but can also be used for prescriptions written for your pet, such as Benadryl, and dispensed at a participating pharmacy. There are approximately 360 pharmacies in Broward County that accept the NACo Prescription Discount Card, including: Albertsons, Costco, CVS, Publix, Target, Wal-Mart and Walgreens.

For more information on discount pet medications, go to www.broward.org/animal or call NACo at 1-877-321-2652. There is no charge to the County or consumers - all costs are underwritten by the service provider, Caremark.

To learn more, call toll free 1-877-321-2652, or visit the CVS Caremark Web Site.