May 17, 2005

Consumers Will Benefit from Information on Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs
 
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Janet Olszewski, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), today announced that, for the first time, consumers will have online access to state pricing information for commonly prescribed prescription drugs, making decision-making and shopping easier for millions of Michigan citizens.
 
“This new website will provide Michigan citizens with much-needed information about prescription drug costs,” Granholm said.  “From Lipitor to Nexium to Zoloft, consumers will now have direct access to the average price for the most common drugs, making prescription drug shopping easier and ultimately more affordable.”
 
Through the web page, found at www.michigan.gov/mdch, the Michigan Department of Community Health will provide consumers with the average prices for the top 25 most commonly used prescription drugs in Michigan as reported to the state by First Health Services Corporation.  The prices featured on the site represent the usual and customary costs for a one-month supply of the drugs and are comparable to what a cash-paying customer without insurance would pay.
 
The website also contains links to three commonly used discount programs for prescription drugs:  the Michigan Prescription Drug Discount Card (MiRx), the national Together Rx Access Card, and the Michigan Partnership for Prescription Assistance program.
 
“This information is presented to Michigan consumers in a very useful format, while at the same time presenting the information to consumers in a responsible – and ultimately safe – way,” said Janet Olszewski, MDCH director.   “We want the citizens of Michigan to have access to this information so they can make informed decisions about the much-needed prescription drugs they require.”
 
Olszewski said prescription drug prices usually vary daily, so the price that you find at your pharmacy may not be the same price that appears on the web page. 
 
It is always good practice for consumers to buy all their medications from the same pharmacy so that a pharmacist can keep track of the medications they are taking in order to avoid potentially harmful interactions, she said.  If you do decide to shop at more than one pharmacy, be sure you tell the pharmacists all of the drugs you are taking.
 
Michigan continues to be a leader in providing assistance with the cost of prescription drugs.  Since the MiRx card debuted in September 2004, more than 25,000 uninsured Michigan citizens have taken advantage of the program.

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