Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz noted the success of the Erie County Prescription Discount Card Program, a program he had recommended the County pursue in 2008 as County Comptroller and that ensures that local residents with little or no prescription coverage can obtain their medications at an affordable price. The program, administered by ProAct, Inc., has no cost to the participant or local government and allows for various degrees of savings on name brand and generic drugs. To date, Erie County residents have enjoyed more than $10.9 million in savings through the program.

“As I said when advocating for this program as Comptroller, more and more Americans are relying on prescription drugs to maintain their health while the price of such drugs is rising rapidly, making needed drugs financially unavailable,” said Poloncarz. “Government can and should help to make these drugs available to those who need them. No one should go without needed medication because they can’t afford it, and thanks to this program they don’t have to. ”

The Erie County Discount Card Program covers every medication, has no enrollment fees and no limits on use, and is accepted at most pharmacies within Erie County as well as at over 62,000 pharmacies nationwide. The discount card program saves residents an average of 10-20% on their brand name medications and 20–70% on generics, with participants in the program presenting a card at participating pharmacies to receive savings. Consumers can find the best price at the nearest pharmacy, even when they’re traveling, and consumers also have a choice of how they will receive their card—by text, print or email.

In an expansion of the program, ProAct has now partnered with ScriptSave® WellRx, a technology-enabled prescription savings and management program that delivers prescription discounts to customers and provides new tools that promote medication education and adherence. In addition to including savings on vision, hearing, LASIK services, a low cost dental coverage program, and some pet medications the ProAct program now covers lab work, medical imaging and more. Families with limited, high-deductible, or no prescription coverage can reduce out-of-pocket prescription costs; seniors with Medicare Part D can save on prescriptions that are excluded from coverage; and individuals with prescription coverage can reduce the cost of prescriptions that are not covered by insurance.

For more information regarding the Erie County Discount Card Program, visit www.NYRxDiscountCard.com