Another good Marketing Move

Wal-Mart has announced it is expanding the $4 prescription program. In doing so, they will add drugs to treat glaucoma, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity disorder, fungal infections and acne. Fertility and prescription birth control will be available for $9.

It was about a year or so ago that Wal-Mart took the first step to offer this program and many pharmacies have followed the same path. It has given patients an opportunity to help direct their healthcare by asking for drugs on this list. The program now has drugs in most all categories that patients may choose.

This program reportedly accounts for nearly 40% of all prescriptions filled in its Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market pharmacies and it is estimated that over the past year, the program has saved customers $613.6 million.

As always, while applauding the expanded program, critics noted that it does not address the often crippling cost of brand-name prescription medicines. I’m not sure why they think Wal-Mart should control the costs of these drugs when the markup and profit margin on brand name drugs is far less than generics.

Insurance companies who often complain about the drug costs as an excuse for high premiums certainly have not dropped their rates since this program was instituted.

It was also noted that Wal-Mart's pharmacies have seen double-digit comparable store sales growth since the program began last fall in Tampa, Florida. I am sure there were many customers who bought more than just prescription drugs making this another profitable move.

Once again, Wal-Mart is showing why they remain a multi-billion dollar company and why so may people still choose to shop there.