Middlesex County is rolling out a new program to residents that provides discounts on drugs at pharmacies for both the residents and their families, including their pets.
Middlesex County is rolling out a new prescription drug plan for residents. >File photo NEW BRUNSWICK -- Middlesex County is rolling out a new program to residents that provides discounts on drugs at pharmacies for both the residents and their families, including their pets.
The county has partnered with ProAct Inc., a company that operates similar programs in six other counties in the states including Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Passaic, Union and Sussex, according to Gerry MacKenzie, head of Middlesex County's Department of Community Services.
MacKenzie said program is offered at no cost to the residents or taxpayers of Middlesex County.
"The discount varies from pharmacy to pharmacy," she said, adding that the program is not insurance and does not replace insurance that a resident may already have.
"However, residents can use the program to cover a drug not covered by his or her insurance," she said.
MacKenzie cautioned that senior citizens should call the county's Office on Aging or the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to find out how the new drug discount card could work with their Medicare benefits.
She said every resident regardless of their age, income or existing health insurance is eligible to use the program and cards are being sent to all residents. There are no pre-requisites or qualifications to take advantage of the program either.
Freeholder Director Ronald Rios said the discount cards are accepted at more than 170 pharmacies in the county at more than 62,000 pharmacies nationwide.
"This plan can help those who have no prescription coverage, minimal prescription coverage or those who must take certain medications that are not covered by their plans," Rios said. "So, even if you have a prescription plan, I encourage you to look into the program to see if it can help you."
He said residents could expect to see a savings from 10 to 20 percent off the full cash price of name brand medications and savings from 20 to 70 percent off the full cash price of generic medications.
Rios said the savings also applies to coverage for pet medications.
Discount cards are being mailed to households in the county and cards will also be available a local [pharmacies as well as county agencies including the Department of Community Services, the Office of Human Services and the Health Services Office, MacKenzie said.
Those with access to the internet and can go to a new web site can check pharmacies to find out which ones are giving the best discounts for the drugs they need as well, she said. The web site will be included in the information provided with the card.
Freeholder Blanquita Valenti, who chairs the county's community services committee, said the new program, "is a way for Middlesex County to ensure everyone, regardless of their health coverage, has access to discounted prescription medications."
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