Salt Lake County Offers Residents Drug Discount Card

10.01.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Salt Lake County residents whose prescription drugs aren’t covered by an insurance plan can now get a 22 percent discount on their medications, on average, using a discount drug card. County Mayor Peter Corroon says it’s an easy way to save money on health care costs.

“There’s no enrollment form, no fees, no age or income requirements, no medical condition restrictions. The entire family can be covered with just one card,” Corroon says. “The second benefit is there’s no cost. No cost to the county. No cost to the taxpayers. No cost to consumers to participate.”

The program is offered through the National Association of Counties, which partnered with Caremark pharmacy to negotiate discounts at more than 59,000 locations nationwide.

The program was first offered in 2004.  Corroon says the county didn’t join until now over concerns the discount program could harm local pharmacies. But since smaller, independent stores can also sign up to participate in the program, he says it’s not a problem.

“We feel comfortable that it is a program that’s good for our consumers and good for the businesses in the state as well,” Corroon says.

The discount card is available to any Salt Lake County resident at participating pharmacies, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, hospitals, senior centers and community centers.