Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Wal-Mart expands low-cost drug program

Here's some news from yesterday that escaped me. Wal-Mart announced yesterday that it was greatly expanding is discounted drug program, and since its chief rival, Target, is following suit, Monday's announcement is further proof that the captitalist system is the world's greatest.

From AP:

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, announced Monday it would expand its discounted prescription drug program to offer 90-day supplies for $10 and add several women's medications at a discount. It also said it would lower the price of more than 1,000 over-the-counter drugs.

Target Corp. said late Monday it would match the major elements of Wal-Mart's program.

Wal-Mart's move marks the third phase of a company program that began in 2006 to provide a 30-day supply of generic prescription drugs for $4. The Bentonville-based company said the program has saved customers more than $1 billion.

With the expansion, the company began filling prescriptions Monday for up to 350 generic medications at $10 for a 90-day supply at Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sam's Club pharmacies in the U.S. Almost all the prescription generics in the company's $4 program were included in the expanded $10 offer, said Wal-Mart Senior Vice President John Agwunobi.

This being a presidential election year, I think it's fair to point out that Barack Obama has made clear his opposition to Wal-Mart because they employ a non-union work force. "I won't shop there" is what he says. Target is non-union as well, but that hasn't attracted the ire of the junior senator of Illinois, whose Hyde Park neighborhood has one supermarket, which is non-union. Just where does the Obama family shop when they're in town?

As for Wal-Mart, perhaps Obama the elitist can't lower himself to shop at the world's largest retailer. I shop there, and when I undertake next week's My Mississippi Manifest Destiny trip, I'll be spending a lot of money for my daily provisions of such staples as bottled water.

But at a time of economic sluggishness--but not a recession---Wal-Mart and Target's price cutting is great news for all Americans.

Related posts:

Wal-Mart prescription program has saved Americans over $1 billion

Obama's Wal-Mart connection: Wife served on board of big Wal-Mart supplier

The good life of working for the UFCW

My book report: The Wal-Mart Revolution: How Big Box Stores Benefit Consumers, Workers, and the Economy

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