Wal-Mart to sell $4 generic drugs in 14 more states

[Gan]

Thu Oct 19, 8:47 AM ET CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday said it would begin selling $4 generic prescriptions in 14 additional states, including New York and Texas, speeding up the roll-out of a plan that has put pressure on rival retailers.



Wal-Mart said the $4 program covers a 30-day supply of 143 different drug compounds, representing nearly 25 percent of the prescriptions it currently dispenses in pharmacies nationwide.


The program, initially launched in Florida last month, will be available in an additional 1,264 stores throughout Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Vermont.


Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, has about 3,900 U.S. stores, include its namesake discount chain, Sam's Club warehouse stores, and the Neighborhood Market grocery chain.


The move comes as Wal-Mart tries to deflect criticism of its employee pay and benefits. Critics contend that the company pays poverty-level wages and pushes employees onto government aid programs such as Medicaid.
Wal-Mart said it filled 88,235 new prescriptions in Florida in the 10 days after it rolled out the $4 program across the state.


Shares of drugstore chains CVS Corp. and Walgreen Co. are down more than 11 percent since September 20, the day before Wal-Mart first announced the program in Florida.


The drugstore companies and analysts have downplayed the threat, noting that cash prescriptions account for only a small portion of their profits, but investors remained concerned that Wal-Mart would expand the $4 program nationwide and possibly include more drugs.


Rival discount chain Target Corp. has matched Wal-Mart's price in Florida.
(Additional reporting by Christopher Kaufman)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061019/us_nm/retail_walmart_prescriptions_dc_1

______________________________________

I LOVE competetion. This is a HUGE shot across the bow to the retail pharmacy market. Imagine all of the generic perscriptions that were NOT filled through company insurance plans because of the low pricing. Now multiply that by 14 more states other than Florida (god's waiting room).

Kudos to Wal-Mart.

[Some Rogue]

Hmm, this version of the yahoo news story leaves out an important detail from an earlier version I saw. The $4 plan only covers 143 drugs of the 8,700 FDA approved generics.

IMO, it's a total publicity stunt to cover some of the bad press they've been getting lately.

[Snapp]

IMO, it's a total publicity stunt to cover some of the bad press they've been getting lately.

Agreed. Walmart is the devil and should keep their evil plans out of Delaware.

[Sean of the Thread]

Considering the 143 drugs represent 25% of their overall dispensed... I'd say it's rather significant.

Not that there is anything wrong with good publicity for doing something good.. they earn the bad, they earn the good.

[Gan]

Hmm, this version of the yahoo news story leaves out an important detail from an earlier version I saw. The $4 plan only covers 143 drugs of the 8,700 FDA approved generics.

IMO, it's a total publicity stunt to cover some of the bad press they've been getting lately.

Its amazing how the 143 generic drugs that the 4$ plan covers amounted to over 88,235 new perscriptions in the first 10 days it was rolled out.

I'd definately call that significant, not to mention ground breaking since no other retail pharmacy has done it yet.

[Apathy]

Fuck Wal-Mart.

Wal-Merica = Dirt-poor people making shitty products for poor people to sell to other poor people.

(I will admit I was a bit conflicted when I heard walmart was considering selling e85 at all its gas stations - that would be huge/suck)

[ElanthianSiren]

Considering the 143 drugs represent 25% of their overall dispensed... I'd say it's rather significant.

Not that there is anything wrong with good publicity for doing something good.. they earn the bad, they earn the good.

It depends what class the drugs are in, how expensive they are non script, are they necessary for life, or is it things like viagra.

-M

[Stanley Burrell]

Wal-Merica = Dirt-poor people making shitty products for poor people to sell to other poor people.

I was thinking more along the lines of beta blockers and not triplicate narcotics.

The CSA is pretty... Set in stone.

[Hamurr]

Yes. Fuck Wal Mart.

Much better that we have nothing but mom and pop operations that sell products that only the high income can afford.

Wal Mart didn't exist in Canada when I first went out on my own so I was reliant on garage sales and rice to get by those first few years.

A store like that would have been a boon to me then.

Those who sit on the left and insist on locally produced, overpriced union-made products should keep in mind the less than rich consumers who really get hurt in the end.

[Gan]

Somehow I dont think Viagra is a generic or on the list. I would imagine that there are quite a number of generics in the antibiotic realm. I would agree that it would be interesting to see the breakdown.

However, as I heard on the radio today. You do not even need a perscription plan to have a scrip filled. They took all of them in, if the drug had a generic available it was filled, without insurance.

So yea, Wal-Mart sucks for providing generic medicine at such a low cost for everyone in the Florida area, and now 14 additional states. Regardless of their insurance status. /sarcasm

:banghead:

[Gan]

Found the list...
http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/05/news/companies/walmart/florida_drug_list.pdf



List Effective October 5, 2006

WAL-MART/SAM'S $4 PROGRAM

ANTIVIRAL ACYCLOVIR 200MG CAP
ASTHMA ALBUTEROL 0.5% NEB
ASTHMA ALBUTEROL 2MG TAB
ASTHMA ALBUTEROL 2MG/5ML SYP
ASTHMA ALBUTEROL 4MG TAB
MISCELLANEOUS ALLOPURINOL 100MG TAB
MISCELLANEOUS ALLOPURINOL 300MG TAB
COUGH COLD AMIBID DM 30600CR TAB
CARDIAC AMILOR/HCTZ 550 TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT AMITRIPTYLIN 100MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT AMITRIPTYLIN 10MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT AMITRIPTYLIN 25MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT AMITRIPTYLIN 50MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT AMITRIPTYLIN 75MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 125/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 125/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 125/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 200/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 250/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 250/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 250/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 250MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 250MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 400/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 400/5ML SUS
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 500MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC AMOXICILLIN 500MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC AMOXIL 50MG/ML DRO
ANALGESICS ANTIPY/BENZO OTIC SOL
CARDIAC ATENOL/CHLOR 5025MGTAB
CARDIAC ATENOLOL 100MG TAB
CARDIAC ATENOLOL 25MG TAB
CARDIAC ATENOLOL 50MG TAB
CARDIAC ATENOLOL 50MG TAB
GLUCOMA EYE ATROPINE SUL 1% OP SOL
ANITBIOTIC BACITRACIN OP OIN
ANALGESICS BACLOFEN 10MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL BELLA ALK/PB TAB
CARDIAC BENAZEPRIL 10MG TAB
CARDIAC BENAZEPRIL 20MG TAB
CARDIAC BENAZEPRIL 40MG TAB
CARDIAC BENAZEPRIL 5MG TAB
COUGH COLD BENZONATATE 100MG CAP
PARKINSONS BENZTROPINE 2MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY BETAMETH DIP 0.05% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY BETAMETH DIP 0.05% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY BETAMETH VAL 0.1% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY BETAMETH VAL 0.1% CRE

ANTI INFLAMMATORY BETAMETH VAL 0.1% OIN
ANTI INFLAMMATORY BETAMETH VAL 0.1% OIN
CARDIAC BISOPR/HCTZ 2.5/6.25TAB
CARDIAC BISOPR/HCTZ 56.25MGTAB
CARDIAC BUMETANIDE 0.5MG TAB
CARDIAC CAPTOPRIL 100MG TAB
CARDIAC CAPTOPRIL 12.5MG TAB
CARDIAC CAPTOPRIL 25MG TAB
CARDIAC CAPTOPRIL 50MG TAB
SEIZURE CARBAMAZEPINE 200MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC CEPHALEXIN 250MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC CEPHALEXIN 250MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC CEPHALEXIN 500MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC CEPHALEXIN 500MG CAP
MISCELLANEOUS CHLORHEX GLU 0.12% SOL
DIABETES CHLORPROPAM 100MG TAB
CARDIAC CHLORTHALID 25MG TAB
CARDIAC CHLORTHALID 50MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL CIMETIDINE 800MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC CIPROFLOXACN 500MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT CITALOPRAM 20MG TAB
CARDIAC CLONIDINE 0.1MG TAB
CARDIAC CLONIDINE 0.1MG TAB
CARDIAC CLONIDINE 0.2MG TAB
CARDIAC CLONIDINE 0.2MG TAB
MISCELLANEOUS COLCHICINE 0.6MG TAB
COUGH COLD CPM/PSE 8120 CR CAP
ANALGESICS CYCLOBENZAPR 10MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL CYTRA2 SOL
COUGH COLD DECCHLORPHN LIQ
COUGH COLD DECCHLORPHN DM SYP
ANTI INFLAMMATORY DEXAMETHASON 0.5MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY DEXAMETHASON 0.75MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY DEXAMETHASON 4MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY DICLOFENAC 75MG DR TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY DICLOFENAC 75MG DR TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL DICYCLOMINE 10MG CAP
CARDIAC DIGITEK 0.125MG TAB
CARDIAC DIGITEK 0.25MG TAB
CARDIAC DILTIAZEM 120MG TAB
CARDIAC DILTIAZEM 30MG TAB
CARDIAC DILTIAZEM 60MG TAB
CARDIAC DILTIAZEM 90MG TAB
CARDIAC DOXAZOSIN 1MG TAB
CARDIAC DOXAZOSIN 2MG TAB
CARDIAC DOXAZOSIN 4MG TAB
CARDIAC DOXAZOSIN 8MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT DOXEPIN HCL 100MG CAP
ANTIDEPRESSANT DOXEPIN HCL 10MG CAP
ANTIDEPRESSANT DOXEPIN HCL 25MG CAP
ANTIDEPRESSANT DOXEPIN HCL 50MG CAP
ANTIDEPRESSANT DOXEPIN HCL 75MG CAP

ANITBIOTIC DOXYCYCL HYC 100MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC DOXYCYCL HYC 100MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC DOXYCYCL HYC 50MG CAP
CARDIAC ENALAP/HCTZ 512.5MGTAB
CARDIAC ENALAPRIL 10MG TAB
CARDIAC ENALAPRIL 2.5MG TAB
CARDIAC ENALAPRIL 20MG TAB
CARDIAC ENALAPRIL 5MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC ERYTHROCIN 250MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC ERYTHROMYCIN 2% SOL
ANITBIOTIC ERYTHROMYCIN OP OIN
ANITBIOTIC ERYTHROMYCIN250MG ECCAP
HORMONE ESTRADIOL 0.5MG TAB
HORMONE ESTRADIOL 1MG TAB
HORMONE ESTRADIOL 2MG TAB
HORMONE ESTROPIPATE 0.75MG TAB
HORMONE ESTROPIPATE 1.5MG TAB
VITAMINS ETHEDENT 0.25MG CHW
GASTRO INTESTINAL FAMOTIDINE 20MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL FAMOTIDINE 20MG TAB
ANTIFUNGAL FLUCONAZOLE 150MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY FLUOCIN ACET 0.01% SOL
ANTI INFLAMMATORY FLUOCINONIDE 0.05% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY FLUOCINONIDE 0.05% CRE
ANTIDEPRESSANT FLUOXETINE 20MG CAP
ANTIPSYCHOTIC FLUPHENAZINE 1MG TAB
VITAMINS FOLIC ACID 1MG TAB
CARDIAC FUROSEMIDE 20MG TAB
CARDIAC FUROSEMIDE 20MG TAB
CARDIAC FUROSEMIDE 40MG TAB
CARDIAC FUROSEMIDE 40MG TAB
CARDIAC FUROSEMIDE 80MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC GENTAMICIN 0.1% CRE
ANITBIOTIC GENTAMICIN 0.1% OIN
ANITBIOTIC GENTAMICIN 0.3% OP SOL
DIABETES GLIMEPIRIDE 1MG TAB
DIABETES GLIPIZIDE 10MG TAB
DIABETES GLIPIZIDE 5MG TAB
DIABETES GLYBURID MCR 3MG TAB
DIABETES GLYBURID MCR 6MG TAB
DIABETES GLYBURIDE 2.5MG TAB
DIABETES GLYBURIDE 5MG TAB
DIABETES GLYBURIDE 5MG TAB
COUGH COLD GUAIFENESIN DM SYP
COUGH COLD GUAIFENEX PSE 120 TAB
COUGH COLD GUAIFENEX PSE 60 TAB
CARDIAC GUANFACINE 1MG TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC HALOPERIDOL 0.5MG TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC HALOPERIDOL 1MG TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC HALOPERIDOL 2MG TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC HALOPERIDOL 5MG TAB
CARDIAC HYDRALAZINE 10MG TAB

CARDIAC HYDRALAZINE 25MG TAB
CARDIAC HYDROCHLOROT 12.5MG CAP
CARDIAC HYDROCHLOROT 25MG TAB
CARDIAC HYDROCHLOROT 50MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY HYDROCORT 1% CRE
MISCELLANEOUS HYDROCORT AC 25MG SUP
ANTI INFLAMMATORY HYDROCORTISONE 2.5% CRM
ANXIETY HYDROXYZ HCL10MG/5MLSYP
GASTRO INTESTINAL HYOSCYAMINE 0.125/MLDRO
GASTRO INTESTINAL HYOSCYAMINE 0.125MG SUB
GASTRO INTESTINAL HYOSCYAMINE 0.125MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL HYOSCYAMINE 0.375 ERTAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY IBUPROFEN 100/5ML SUS
ANTI INFLAMMATORY IBUPROFEN 400MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY IBUPROFEN 600MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY IBUPROFEN 800MG TAB
CARDIAC INDAPAMIDE 1.25MG TAB
CARDIAC INDAPAMIDE 2.5MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY INDOMETHACIN 25MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC ISONIAZID 300MG TAB
CARDIAC ISOSORB MONO 30MG ERTAB
CARDIAC ISOSORB MONO 60MG ERTAB
VITAMINS KLORCON 10 10MEQ ERTAB
VITAMINS KLORCON 8 TAB 8MEQ ER
VITAMINS KLORCON M10 TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL LACTULOSE 10GM/15 SYP
THYROID LEVOTHYROXIN 100MCG TAB
THYROID LEVOTHYROXIN 125MCG TAB
THYROID LEVOTHYROXIN 150MCG TAB
THYROID LEVOTHYROXIN 25MCG TAB
THYROID LEVOTHYROXIN 50MCG TAB
THYROID LEVOTHYROXIN 75MCG TAB
MISCELLANEOUS LIDOCAINE 2% VISC SOL
CARDIAC LISINO-HCTZ 10-12.5MTAB
CARDIAC LISINO-HCTZ 20-25MG TAB
CARDIAC LISINOP-HCTZ 20-12.5TAB
CARDIAC LISINOPRIL 10MG TAB
CARDIAC LISINOPRIL 2.5MG TAB
CARDIAC LISINOPRIL 20MG TAB
CARDIAC LISINOPRIL 5MG TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC LITHIUM CARB 300MG CAP
ALLERGY LORATADINE 10MG TAB
ALLERGY LORATADINE 5MG/5ML SYP
CHOLESTEROL LOVASTATIN 10MG TAB
VITAMINS MAG OXIDE 400MG TAB
VITAMINS MAG64 64MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL MECLIZINE 12.5MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL MECLIZINE 25MG TAB
HORMONE MEDROXYPR AC 10MG TAB
HORMONE MEDROXYPR AC 2.5MG TAB
HORMONE MEDROXYPR AC 5MG TAB
ONCOLOGY/CANCER MEGESTROL 20MG

DIABETES METFORMIN 1000MG TAB
DIABETES METFORMIN 500MG TAB
DIABETES METFORMIN 500MG ER TAB
DIABETES METFORMIN 850MG TAB
CARDIAC METHYLDOPA 250MG TAB
CARDIAC METHYLDOPA 500MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY METHYLPRED 4MG PAK
ANTI INFLAMMATORY METHYLPRED 4MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL METOCLOPRAM 10MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL METOCLOPRAM 5MG/5ML SYP
CARDIAC METOPROLOL 100MG TAB
CARDIAC METOPROLOL 25MG TAB
CARDIAC METOPROLOL 50MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC METRONIDAZOL 250MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC METRONIDAZOL 500MG TAB
VITAMINS MULTI VITA 0.25MG CHW
VITAMINS MULTI VITA/FL/FE CHW
VITAMINS MULTVITBET /FL 1MGCHW
VITAMINS MULVITBET 0.5MGFL CHW
CARDIAC NADOLOL 20MG TAB
CARDIAC NADOLOL 40MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY NAPROXEN 500MG TAB
VITAMINS NATALCARE PIC TAB
VITAMINS NATALCARE PLUS TAB
ANITBIOTIC NEO/POLY/DEX 0.1% OPOIN
ANITBIOTIC NEO/POLY/DEX 0.1% OPSUS
ANTIDEPRESSANT NORTRIPTYLIN 10MG CAP
ANTIDEPRESSANT NORTRIPTYLIN 25MG CAP
ANTIFUNGAL NYSTAT/TRIAM CRE
ANTIFUNGAL NYSTAT/TRIAM CRE
ANTIFUNGAL NYSTAT/TRIAM OIN
ANTIFUNGAL NYSTATIN 100000U CRE
ANTIFUNGAL NYSTATIN 100000U CRE
ANTIFUNGAL NYSTATIN 100000U OIN
ANTIFUNGAL NYSTATIN 100000U OIN
MISCELLANEOUS OXYBUTYNIN 5MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT PAROXETINE 20MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC PENICILLN VK 125/5MLSOL
ANITBIOTIC PENICILLN VK 125/5MLSOL
ANITBIOTIC PENICILLN VK 250/5MLSOL
ANITBIOTIC PENICILLN VK 250/5MLSOL
ANITBIOTIC PENICILLN VK 250MG TAB
CARDIAC PENTOXIFYLLI400MG ERTAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL PHENAZOPYRID 100MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL PHENAZOPYRID 200MG TAB
GLUCOMA EYE PILOCARPINE 1% OP SOL
GLUCOMA EYE PILOCARPINE 2% OP SOL
CARDIAC PINDOLOL 10MG TAB
CARDIAC PINDOLOL 5MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY PIROXICAM 20MG CAP
VITAMINS POT CHLORIDE 10% LIQ
CARDIAC PRAZOSIN HCL 1MG CAP

CARDIAC PRAZOSIN HCL 2MG CAP
CARDIAC PRAZOSIN HCL 5MG CAP
ANTI INFLAMMATORY PREDNISONE 10MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY PREDNISONE 10MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY PREDNISONE 2.5MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY PREDNISONE 20MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY PREDNISONE 5MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY PREDNISONE 5MG 6DAYPAK
VITAMINS PRENATAL RX TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC PROCHLORPER 10MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL PROMETHAZINE 25MG TAB
COUGH COLD PROMETHAZINE DM SYP
GASTRO INTESTINAL PROMETHAZINE6.25/5MLSYP
CARDIAC PROPRANOLOL 10MG TAB
CARDIAC PROPRANOLOL 20MG TAB
CARDIAC PROPRANOLOL 40MG TAB
CARDIAC PROPRANOLOL 80MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL RANITIDINE 150MG TAB
GASTRO INTESTINAL RANITIDINE 150MG TAB
ANTI INFLAMMATORY SALSALATE 500MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC SELENIUM SUL 2.5% LOT
ANITBIOTIC SMZ/TMP DS 800160 TAB
ANITBIOTIC SMZ/TMP DS 800160 TAB
ANITBIOTIC SMZTMP 20040/5 SUS
ANITBIOTIC SMZTMP 40080MG TAB
CARDIAC SOTALOL HCL 80MG TAB
CARDIAC SPIRONOLACT 25MG TAB
ANITBIOTIC SULFACET SOD 10% OP SOL
CARDIAC TERAZOSIN 10MG CAP
CARDIAC TERAZOSIN 1MG CAP
CARDIAC TERAZOSIN 2MG CAP
CARDIAC TERAZOSIN 5MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC TETRACYCLINE 250MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC TETRACYCLINE 500MG CAP
ANTIPSYCHOTIC THIORIDAZINE 25MG TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC THIORIDAZINE 50MG TAB
ANTIPSYCHOTIC THIOTHIXENE 2MG CAP
ANITBIOTIC TOBRAMYCIN 0.3% OP SOL
ANALGESICS TRAMADOL HCL 50MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT TRAZODONE 100MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT TRAZODONE 150MG TAB
ANTIDEPRESSANT TRAZODONE 50MG TAB
CARDIAC TRIAM/HCTZ 37.5-25 CAP
ANTI INFLAMMATORY TRIAMCINOLON 0.025% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY TRIAMCINOLON 0.025% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY TRIAMCINOLON 0.1% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY TRIAMCINOLON 0.1% CRE
ANTI INFLAMMATORY TRIAMCINOLON 0.1% OIN
ANTI INFLAMMATORY TRIAMCINOLON 0.1% OIN
ANTI INFLAMMATORY TRIAMCINOLON 0.5% CRE
CARDIAC TRIAMT/HCTZ 37.525 TAB
CARDIAC TRIAMT/HCTZ 7550MG TAB

CARDIAC TRIAMT/HCTZ 7550MG TAB
PARKINSONS TRIHEXYPHEN 2MG TAB
COUGH COLD TRIVENT DPC6215/5SYP
CARDIAC VERAPAMIL 120MG TAB
CARDIAC VERAPAMIL 80MG TAB
CARDIAC WARFARIN 5MG TAB

[Stanley Burrell]

Somehow I dont think Viagra is a generic or on the list. I would imagine that there are quite a number of generics in the antibiotic realm. I would agree that it would be interesting to see the breakdown.

However, as I heard on the radio today. You do not even need a perscription plan to have a scrip filled. They took all of them in, if the drug had a generic available it was filled, without insurance.

Makes me wonder about how much patent law went on behind the scenes before this unveiling and what's to follow.

[Gan]

I would think that since these are generics, and beyond the 7 year (?) initial patent release from pharma companies, that they are free game for such a mass distribution from a wholesale entity.

No doubt that the herd of attourneys for Wal-Mart did their due dilligence prior to rollout. Its funny that CVS, and other like retail pharmacies public stock prices dropped just prior to announcement. I'm curious to see what their response will be.

[Skirmisher]

1- WalMart doesn't give a crap about you.

2- Walmart has testified AGAINST US companies when the govt brought anti dumping cases against Chineese firms.

3- The program involving generic drugs initiated by WalMart is of course an attempt to apply first aid to its decimated public image.

4- Regardless of why the drug program was instituted it IS significant it helps a large amount of people in this country afford medicatikons that they otherwise could not.

5- As at least Target and i think others also have started similar programs so this program has already had a substantial impact.

[Stanley Burrell]

Tramadol surprised me.

And... I didn't know one needed a scrip for table salt substitutes?


I would think that since these are generics, and beyond the 7 year (?) initial patent release.

...Which is a pretty intriguing concept seeing the lack of new class SSRIs and neuroleptics.

Very recently, i.e., a Lexapro + Celexa combo was released (Celexa was on that particular list) and I am wondering if drug companies will try and do, for lack of a better analogy, mirroring of high tech .001% different make-up metal alloy patenting to avoid a financial loss due to combo drugs (especially in areas like HIV and cancer treatment.) I think it'll pretty darn interesting to see how nomenclature, ethics and marketing will evolve through this trend.