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October 05, 2009
CITY RESIDENTS GAIN ACCESS TO EASY-TO-USE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD
Somerville Becomes First Massachusetts Community to Offer Discount Card Program Developed by National League of Cities; Participants Receive Average Savings of 20 Percent off Retail Prices
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and City Health Dept. Director Paulette Renault-Caragianes announced today that Somerville is the first community in Massachusetts to participate in a national program designed to help residents seeking relief from the high cost of prescription drugs. The City has begun making free prescription drug discount cards to its residents through a program sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC). The discount cards offer Somerville residents average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.
The discount cards may be used by any resident of Somerville – there are no restrictions based on age, income level or existing health coverage. The NLC card can be used when purchasing prescription drugs at many area pharmacies as well as more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies across the country. Participating pharmacies in or near Somerville include Ciampa Apothecary, CVS, Inman Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Skenderian Apothecary, Stop&Shop, Target, and Walgreens.
“We are absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to partner with the National League of Cities to make this prescription discount card available for our residents,” said Mayor Curtatone. “Whether or not an individual has prescription coverage, this program can make it easier for participating residents to afford the drugs they need to deal with a short-term illness or to stay healthy by managing a chronic condition. It’s a program that can not only help residents with a significant pocketbook issue, but also offers real public health benefits by opening up an additional access channel for medications that can control the spread of disease.”
Cards are available at no cost to city residents at numerous locations throughout Somerville, including City Hall and other municipal offices, the Health Department at 50 Evergreen Ave, and Council on Aging at 167 Holland Street. City residents may also access a card by calling 1-888-620-1749 toll-free or visiting www.caremark.com/nlc online for assistance with the program. A sign-up link is also available at the City’s website, www.somervillema.gov – and, as always, residents may obtain more information by calling 311 (617-666-3311 from outside the city).
“Not only does the NLC prescription discount card help residents save money on their medications but it’s also easy to use,” said Renault-Caragianes. “Somerville residents only have to show their card when purchasing medication at any of the participating pharmacies. There is no enrollment form required to get a card, no membership fee of any kind and city residents and their family members can use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.”
The discount card program is administered by CVS Caremark.
About The National League of Cities
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. To learn more about NLC, go to www.nlc.org.
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