Seniors take up Medicare-approved drug discount card in mass

Walgreen Co. has announced that tens of thousands of seniors across the country have applied for the company's Walgreens Health Initiatives Medicare-approved drug discount card.

Yesterday (1st June 2004) was the first day seniors can use the cards to get discounts of up to 10-25 percent or more off prescription drugs through the Medicare discount card program. "While we've seen a steady flow of seniors in Walgreen pharmacies asking about the program since enrollment forms became available May 3, our enrollment requests have tripled in the last few days," said Greg Wasson, president of Walgreens Health Initiatives. "As more seniors learn about the program through family members and friends, we expect enrollments to gain even more momentum in the weeks and months ahead."

The Walgreens Health Initiatives Medicare-approved drug discount card is accepted at more than 40,000 pharmacies nationwide, including 4,400 Walgreens, and through Walgreens mail service. It will offer discounts of up to 25 percent or more on many medications for an annual fee of $20. Walgreens also will accept several other Medicare-approved cards.

Enrollment information for the Walgreens Health Initiatives card is available in Walgreen stores, through http://www.walgreens.com and by calling 1-800-533-7606. Price comparison information is also available through Medicare at http://www.medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE. Walgreen Co. is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2003 sales of $32.5 billion.

The company operates 4,397 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico and plans to open 425 new stores in fiscal 2004. The company also operates Walgreens Health Initiatives, which provides pharmacy benefits management, mail service prescriptions and other clinical services.