Price Cutter expands generic drug program

According to a company news release, the $3 price applies to specific generic drugs with up to a 30-day supply of commonly prescribed dosages. Larger quantities are available at customary pricing.

RPCS has added the $3 drug program to Food Pyramid Stores that it purchased in June from Albertsons LLC.

“When we purchased nine former Albertsons stores last July, ... we lowered prices on more than 10,000 products,” said Rob Marsh, RPCS director of planning in the release. “During that time, we also took care of everything necessary behind the scenes to get the generics program put together so we could pass the savings on to our customers and help them fight the rising costs associated with health care.”

Lists of the drugs eligible for the $3 program are available online at www.mypyramidonline.com for Tulsa-area customers, and at www.pricecutteronline.com for customers of Ramey, Price Cutter Plus and Smitty’s stores.

According to Larry Storey, pharmacy administrator for RPCS Inc., the top five generics being purchased through the $3 program, in order of their popularity, are: Metformin, used to treat diabetes; Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic for cardiac patients; Levothyoxine, for thyroid patients; Lisinopril, to treat high blood pressure; and Amoxicillin, an antibiotic.

Still, Storey noted that there isn’t a typical customer for the generic drug program.

“Senior citizens ... make up a large portion of customers taking advantage of the program,” Storey said in the release. “However … we’ve filled generics for people from all walks of life and all age groups.”

RCPS pharmacists have filled more than 100,000 prescriptions through the $3 drug program since it began.

“We’ve actually saved the customer anywhere from $5 to $20 for each prescription on the list,” Storey said.