Pennsylvania Drug Card Media Center

(Philadelphia, PA) – There's new way to save on the cost of medications in the state of Pennsylvania.

A new discount drug card was unveiled today. It's designed to help the uninsured and underinsured, but everyone in the state is eligible. It's free for all residents and covers all drugs.

The program is funded by the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacies. The average discount is said to be 30-percent.

You can get the Pennsylvania drug card by signing up online at Pennsylvaniadrugcard.com.

Pennsylvania residents have saved over $16 million on prescription drugs through Pennsylvania Drug Card since the launch of the free statewide prescription assistance program. The program, which offers free discount drug cards to all state residents, was launched in December 2008.

"We are very satisfied with the results of the program thus far," states Pennsylvania Drug Card Program Director, Kerry Shaw. "We attribute much of our success to the support of organizations such as Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and many others. This program only works if people know about it and that is why we have been very proactive in securing support from organizations that can help us create awareness for this statewide prescription assistance program."

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Pennsylvania Drug Card in order to create awareness and help every Pennsylvania resident obtain a discount drug card. Together, Pennsylvania Drug Card and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber are currently educating all clinics, hospitals, county health departments and urgent care clinics throughout the State about the program.

Every Pennsylvanian is eligible to participate in the Pennsylvania Drug Card program; there are no restrictions to membership and no applications to fill out. The card is accepted at over 56,000 regional and national pharmacies. Residents can pick up a free card at the Chamber office or download a card, search drug pricing and locate participating pharmacies by visiting www.PADrugCard.com.

This free prescription card is available online for everyone in Pennsylvania by simply visiting www.PADrugCard.com. and printing a card. Residents with no internet access can visit any Target, Giant Eagle, Pathmark, Kmart, Acme Sav-on, Weis or Superfresh pharmacy location and ask the pharmacist to process their prescription through the Pennsylvania Drug Card.

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is proud to support a new statewide discount drug card program called the Pennsylvania Drug Card that is now available to all Pennsylvania residents. The program, which is free to all Pennsylvanians, will provide savings of up to 75% on prescription drugs with average savings around 30%.

Pennsylvanians can download a free card and search drug pricing and participating pharmacies by visiting www.padrugcard.com. Anyone not able to access the website, or otherwise obtain a member card, can visit any ACME SAV-ON Pharmacy, Target Pharmacy, Kmart Pharmacy, Giant Eagle Pharmacy, Giant Pharmacy, King's Pharmacy, Mr. Z's Pharmacy, and Scot's Lo-Cost Pharmacy location in Pennsylvania. Simply ask the pharmacist to process your prescription through the Pennsylvania Drug Card in order to receive a discount.

The Pennsylvania Drug Card is being funded through the support of pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. The program is supported by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce as an initiative that can benefit Chamber members as well as all Pennsylvania residents.

"We encourage all residents to take advantage of the opportunity to help offset the rising prices of prescription drugs purchased in Pennsylvania," said Mark Schweiker, President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and former Governor of Pennsylvania. "The Pennsylvania Drug Card is easy to use and has no eligibility restrictions. Whether you work for a company, or you are self- employed, or not employed, this card may save you money on your prescription medications."

The Pennsylvania Drug Card Program was launched to help the uninsured and underinsured citizens of Pennsylvania afford their prescription medications. However, the program can also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is common in many health savings accounts (HSA) and high deductible health plans. Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-formulary or non-covered drugs.

"The people of Pennsylvania need a program like this to help offset rising prescription drug costs," states Program Director Kerry Shaw. "This program couldn't have come at a better time as the struggling economy continues to leave more people without jobs and benefits."