Wal-Mart Brings $4 Generic Program To Ohio

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced that that its 158 stores in Ohio will begin participating in Wal-Mart's $4 generic prescription program starting today.

"No one in Ohio should have to cut pills in half, decide between taking medicine and putting food on the table, or go without medicines altogether," said Wal-Mart President and CEO Lee Scott. "We are proud to be leading this effort to make sure our nation's seniors, working families and uninsured get the medications they need at a price they can afford."

Today's announcement brought 12 new states with a total of 1,008 stores into the $4 generic program. The new states are: Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Dakota and Virginia.

The program, which was launched in 1,499 pharmacies in 15 states during the past month, was originally slated to begin in states outside of Florida no earlier than January 2007. Customer demand, however, prompted Wal-Mart to accelerate the program's launch. The other states already participating include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Vermont.

The $4 generic program includes 314 generic prescriptions available for up to a 30-day supply at commonly prescribed dosages. The list of 314 generic prescriptions is made up of as many as 143 compounds in 24 therapeutic categories.

Wal-Mart estimates that the list of $4 prescription medications represents nearly 25 percent of generic prescriptions currently dispensed in its pharmacies nationwide. According to the http://www.rxlist.com/, the list also represents 14 of the top 20 prescribed medications in the United States. Generic medicines have an estimated cost that is 30 to 60 percent lower than an equivalent brand name product.

In making this announcement, Bill Simon, executive vice president of Wal-Mart's Professional Services Division, indicated that the customer response has been significant. Within four days of the October 19 roll out announcement, more than 152,000 new prescriptions were filled by Wal-Mart pharmacies in all 14 states.

Simon said he has heard hundreds of stories from customers and pharmacists about the program's value. He noted, many customers have been surprised by the savings.

"In Texas, when a woman was told that the prescriptions were $4 apiece, she became fearful that one of our associates was trying to be overly kind and help her pay for them. So she said that she could not accept the prescriptions because she did not want the cashier to be fired. When the pharmacist convinced her otherwise, she exclaimed -- with tears in her eyes -- that she was going out to celebrate by having a Whataburger(R) for supper," said Simon. "You see, she hadn't been able to treat herself to this indulgence for nearly a year because she was on such a tight budget. We take great pride in knowing that this program is making a real difference in our customers' lives."

Simon said customer savings on top-selling prescription medications in the program are projected to be significant. For specific medications, the company estimates the following approximate savings to Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sam's Club customers and members in the 27 participating states, based on September average retail prices from http://www.myfloridarx.com/

* Fluoxetine (20 mg), an antidepressant: nearly $1.9 million monthly and $23.2 million annually on this medication. * Amoxicillin (500 mg), an antibiotic: about $1.3 million monthly and $15.5 million annually on this medication.

Simon said that Wal-Mart will continue to push for expansion to other states as quickly as possible.

"Our goal is to respond to customer demand, but to do so in a way that doesn't hamper our ability to serve our customers," he said. "We are listening to our pharmacists and looking at our supply chain management and in-store operations, so that we can figure out how we can continue to make this program available to as many customers as possible without jeopardizing our business or the relationship between our customers and our pharmacists."

Consumers interested in saving money on prescriptions through the program should ask their doctor if a generic is available for their prescription and if it is right for them. At this time, the $4 prescriptions are not available by mail order, but are available on-line, or by telephone for refills only for in-person pickup in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Virginia.

In addition to offering the $4 generic program in 27 states, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club pharmacies offer multiple benefits to consumers. With its proprietary interactive computer system, Wal-Mart speeds up workflow and accuracy in product distribution, allowing pharmacists to spend more time with customers. The company also designates one pharmacy associate per store to serve as the "Medicare Part D expert," which in conjunction with its in-store informational kiosks, helps customers understand both the enrollment process and the benefits to which they are entitled.

These systems have enabled the retailer to help enroll 1,080,000 people for the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Wal-Mart pharmacies' sophisticated coordination of benefits services enables them to process up to four payors for Medicare beneficiaries and up to three payors for non-Medicare beneficiaries, leading to less reimbursement hassle and paperwork for customers. Through its leadership, Wal-Mart has revolutionized the packaging of pharmaceuticals by offering safer, user-friendly blister packs that contain individual periodic doses of medications, along with product details and easy- to-understand instructions for consumers. Wal-Mart also offers low pricing on over-the-counter medications. In fact, the company estimates it will save its customers approximately $20 million on cough, cold and fever medications this cold and flu season.

For further information on the program, including store locations, customers can call 1-800-WAL-MART, go to http://www.walmart.com/, or visit their Wal- Mart, Neighborhood Market or Sam's Club in the 27 participating states to discuss the program with their pharmacist or to pick up a brochure explaining program details.

Wal-Mart/SAM'S CLUB $4 Generic Prescription Program

The following generic prescriptions are available under the Wal-Mart $4 generic prescription drug program, as of October 26, 2006. The price is available in select stores only, and to up to a 30 day supply at commonly prescribed dosages. The prescriptions on this list are subject to change at any time.

Allergy Loratadine 10MG TAB Loratadine 5MG/5ML SYP Analgesics Antipy/Benzo Otic SOL Baclofen 10MG TAB Cyclobenzaprine 10MG TAB Cyclobenzaprine 5MG TAB Tramadol HCL 50MG TAB Anti-anxiety Busiprone 5MG Busiprone 10 MG Anti-inflammatory Betameth DIP 0.05% CRE 15 Betameth DIP 0.05% CRE 45 Betameth VAL 0.1% CRE 15 Betameth VAL 0.1% CRE 45 Betameth VAL 0.1% OIN 15 Betameth VAL 0.1% OIN 45 Dexamethason 0.5MG TAB Dexamethason 0.75MG TAB Dexamethason 4MG TAB Diclotenac 75MG DR TAB Fluocinide ACET 0.01% SOL Fluocinonide 0.05% CRE 15 Fluocinonide 0.05% CRE 30 Hydrocortisone 1% CRE Hydrocortisone 2.5% CRM Ibuprofen 100/5ML SUS Ibuprofen 400MG TAB Ibuprofen 600MG TAB Iburpofen 800MG TAB Indomethacin 25MG CAP Meloxicam 15MG Meloxicam 7.5 MG Methylprednisolone 4MG PAK Methylprednisolone 4MG TAB Naproxen 375MG TAB Naproxen 500MG TAB Piroxicam 20MG CAP Prednisone 10MG TAB Prednisone 2.5MG TAB Prednisone 20MG TAB Prednisone 5MG TAB Prednisone 5MG 6DAYPAK Salsalate 500MG TAB Triamcinolon 0.025% CRE 15 Triamcinolon 0.025% CRE 80 Triamcinolon 0.1% CRE 15 Triamcinolon 0.1% CRE 80 Triamcinolon 0.1% OIN 15 Triamcinolon 0.1% OIN 80 Triamcinolon 0.5% CRE Antibiotic Amoxicillin 125/5ML SUS 100 Amoxicillin 125/5ML SUS 80 Amoxicillin 125/5ML SUS 150 Amoxicillin 200/5ML SUS 50 Amoxicillin 250/5ML SUS 100 Amoxicillin 250/5ML SUS 80 Amoxicillin 250/5ML SUS 150 Amoxicillin 250MG CAP Amoxicillin 400/5ML SUS 50 Amoxicillin 400/5ML SUS 100 Amoxicillin 500MG CAP Amoxil 50MG/ML DRO Bacitracin OP OIN Cephalexin 250MG CAP Cephalexin 500MG CAP Ciprofloxacin 500MG TAB Doxycycline HYC 100MG CAP Doxycycline HYC 100MG TAB Doxycycline HYC 50MG CAP Erythrocin 250MG TAB Erothromycin 2% SOL Erothromycin OP OIN Erothromycin 250MG ECCAP Gentamicin 0.1% CRE Gentamicin 0.1% OIN Gentamicin 0.3% OP SOL Isoniazid 300MG TAB Metronidazol 250MG TAB Metronidazol 500MG TAB Neo/Poly/Dex 0.1% OPOIN Neo/Poly/Dex 0.1% OPSUS Penicillin VK 125/5MLSOL Penicillin VK 250/5MLSOL Penicillin VK 250MG TAB Selenium SUL 2.5% LOT SMZTMP DS 800160 TAB SMZTMP 20040/5 SUS SMZTMP 40080MG TAB Sulfacetamide SOD 10% OP SOL Tetracycline 250MG CAP Tetracycline 500MG CAP Tobramycin 0.3% OP SOL Ciprofloxacin 250MG TAB Polymixin SULF/TMP SOL Antidepressant Amitriptylin 100MG TAB Amitriptylin 10MG TAB Amitriptylin 25MG TAB Amitriptylin 50MG TAB Amitriptylin 75MG TAB Citalopram 20MG TAB Citalopram 40MG TAB Doxepin HCL 100MG CAP Doxepin HCL 10MG CAP Doxepin HCL 25MG CAP Doxepin HCL 50MG CAP Doxepin HCL 75MG CAP Fluoxetine 10MG CAP Fluoxetine 20MG CAP Fluoxetine 40MG CAP Nortriptylin 10MG CAP Nortriptylin 25MG CAP Paroxetine 10MG TAB Paroxetine 20MG TAB Trazodone 100MG TAB Trazodone 150MG TAB Trazodone 50MG TAB Antifungal Fluconazole 150MG TAB Nystat/Triam CRE 15 Nystat/Triam CRE 30 Nystat/Triam OIN 15 Nystatin 100000U CRE 15 Nystatin 100000U CRE 30 Nystatin100000U OIN 15 Nystatin 100000U OIN 30 Antipsychotic Fluphenazine 1MG TAB Haloperidol 0.5MG TAB Haloperidol 1MG TAB Haloperidol 2MG TAB Haloperidol 5MG TAB Lithium Carb 300MG CAP Prochlorperazine 10MG TAB Thioridazine 25MG TAB Thioridazine 50MG TAB Thiothixene 2MG CAP Antiviral Acyclyovir 200MG CAP Anxiety Hydroxyzine HCL10MG/5ML SYP Asthma Albuterol 0.5% NEB Albuterol 2MG TAB Albuterol 2MG/5ML SYP Albuterol 4MG TAB Cardiac Amiloride/HCTZ 550 TAB Atenol/CHLOR 5025MG TAB Atenol/CHLOR100-25MG TAB Atenolol 100MG TAB Atenolol 25MG TAB Atenolol 50MG TAB Benazepril 10MG TAB Benazepril 20MG TAB Benazepril 40MG TAB Benazepril 5MG TAB Bisoprolol/HCTZ 10/6.25 TAB Bisoprolol/HCTZ 2.5/6.25 TAB Bisoprolol/HCTZ 56.25MG TAB Bumetanide 0.5MG TAB Bumetanide 1MG TAB Captopril 100MG TAB Captopril 12.5MG TAB Captopril 25MG TAB Captopril 50MG TAB Chlorthalidone 25MG TAB Chlorthalidone 50MG TAB Clonidine 0.1MG TAB Clonidine 0.1MG PACK Clonidine 0.2MG TAB Clonidine 0.2MG PACK Digitek 0.125MG TAB Digitek 0.25MG TAB Diltiazem 120MG TAB Diltiazem 30MG TAB Diltiazem 60MG TAB Diltiazem 90MG TAB Doxazosin 1MG TAB Doxasozin 2MG TAB Doxasozin 4MG TAB Doxasozin 8MG TAB Enalapril/HCTZ 512.5MG TAB Enalapril 10MG TAB Enalapril 2.5MG TAB Enalapril 20MG TAB Enalapril 5MG TAB Furosemide 20MG TAB Furosemide 40MG TAB Furosemide 80MG TAB Guanfacine 1MG TAB Hydralazine 10MG TAB Hydralazine 25MG TAB Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5MG CAP Hydrochlorothiazide 25MG TAB Hydrochlorothiazide 50MG TAB Indapamide 1.25MG TAB Indapamide 2.5MG TAB Isosorb mono 30MG ERTAB Isosorb mono 60MG ERTAB Lisinopril-HCTZ 10-12.5M TAB Lisinopril-HCTZ 20-25MG TAB Lisinopril-HCTZ 20-12.5 TAB Lisinopril 10MG TAB Lisinopril 2.5MG TAB Lisinopril 20MG TAB Lisinopril 5MG TAB Methyldopa 250MG TAB Methyldopa 500MG TAB Metoprolol 100MG TAB Metoprolol 25MG TAB Metoprolol 50MG TAB Nadolol 20MG TAB Nadolol 40MG TAB Pindolol 10MG TAB Pindolol 5MG TAB Prazosin HCL 1MG CAP Prazosin HCL 2MG CAP Prazosin HCL 5MG CAP Propranolol 10MG TAB Propranolol 20MG TAB Propranolol 40MG TAB Propranolol 80MG TAB Sotalol HCL 80MG TAB Spironolactone 25MG TAB Terazosin 10MG CAP Terazosin 1MG CAP Terazosin 2MG CAP Terazosin 5MG CAP Triamterine/HCTZ 37.525 CAP Triamterine/HCTZ 37.525 TAB Triamterine/HCTZ 7550MG TAB Verapamil 120MG TAB Verapamil 80MG TAB Warfarin 5MG TAB Cholesterol Lovastatin 10MG TAB Cough and Cold Amibid DM 30600CR TAB Benzonatate 100MG CAP Decchlorphn LIQ Decchlorphn DM SYP Guaifenesin DM SYP Promethazine DM SYP Trivent DPC 6215/5 SYP Diabetes Glyburide 5MG TAB GREEN Chlorpropam 100MG TAB Glimepiride 1MG TAB Glipizide 10MG TAB Glipizide 5MG TAB Glyburide MCR 3MG TAB Glyburide MCR 6MG TAB Glyburide 2.5MG TAB Glyburide 5MG TAB BLUE Metformin 1000MG TAB Metformin 500MG TAB Metformin 500MG ER TAB Metformin 850MG TAB Gastrointestinal Belladonna ALK/PB TAB Cimetidine 800MG TAB Cytra2 SOL Dicyclomine 10MG CAP Famotidine 20MG TAB Hyoscyamine 0.125/MLDRO Hyoscyamine 0.125MG SUB Hyoscyamine 0.125MG TAB Hyoscyamine 0.375 ER TAB Lactulose 10GM/15 SYP Meclizine 12.5MG TAB Meclizine 25MG TAB Metoclopramide 10MG TAB Metoclopramide 5MG/5ML SYP Phenazopyridine 100MG TAB Phenazopyridine D 200MG TAB Promethazine 25MG TAB Promethazine 6.25/5MLSYP Ranitidine 150MG TAB Dicylomine 20MG TAB Ranitidine 300MG TAB Glaucoma/Eye Atropine SUL 1% OP SOL Pilocarpine 1% OP SOL Pilocarpine 2% OP SOL Hormonal Estradiol 0.5MG TAB Estradiol 1MG TAB Estradiol 2MG TAB Estropipate 0.75MG TAB Estropipate 1.5MG TAB Medroxyprogesterone AC 10MG TAB Medroxyprogesterone AC 2.5MG TAB Medroxyprogesterone AC 5MG TAB Miscellaneous Allopurinol 100MG TAB Allopurinol 300MG TAB Chlorhexadrine GLU 0.12% SOL Colchicine 0.6MG TAB Hydrocortisone AC 25MG SUP Lidocaine 2% VISC SOL Oxybutynin 5MG TAB Oncology/Cancer Megestrol 20MG Parkinson's Benztropine 2MG TAB Trihexyphenadyl 2MG TAB Seizure Carbamazepine 200MG TAB Thyroid Levothyroxin 100MCG TAB Levothyroxin 125MCG TAB Levothyroxin 150MCG TAB Levothyroxin 25MCG TAB Levothyroxin 50MCG TAB Levothyroxin 75MCG TAB Levothyroxin 88MCG TAB Levothyroxin 112MCG TAB Levothyroxin 175MCG TAB Vitamins Ethedent 0.25MG CHW Folic acid 1MG TAB Klorcon 10 10MEQ ER TAB Klorcon 8 TAB 8MEQ ER Klorcon M10 TAB Magnesium oxide 400MG TAB Mag64 64MG TAB Multivitamin 0.25MG CHW Multivitamin/FL/FE CHW Multivitamin/BET /FL 1MGCHW Multivitamin/BET 0.5MGFL CHW Natalcare PIC TAB Natalcare Plus TAB Potassium chloride 10% LIQ Prenatal Rx TAB About Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and NYSE Arca stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartfacts.com/.