A bill that has passed the House and now needs Senate approval, will give Medicare the right to negotiate drug prices and bargain directly with the pharmaceutical companies. Drug companies are lobbying hard against this legislation.

AARP is urging all members and all seniors to contact their Senators on April 4, AARP’s National Call to Action Day, to urge their senators to pass this bill and give Medicare the ability to negotiate lower prices for their 43 million beneficiaries.

For instructions on how to join the Call to Action, see the AARP website.

Seniors are increasingly turning to generic equivalents of prescribed drugs to save costs. New data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) show that generic-drug utilization exceeds 60 percent in Medicare Part D.

Keeping costs down is good for seniors and it’s good for the program. For every percentage point increase in generic drug utilization, Part D drug spending falls by by an estimated $12 billion over the 2007 to 2015 period.

Keeping drug costs low helps to keep program costs low which in turn keeps Part D premiums from rising for participants. It will also help prevent seniors from falling into the “donut hole” coverage gap.

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association believes these data should serve as a reminder to policymakers about the need to expand access to generic drugs. At least 14 name brand drugs commonly used by seniors are expected to be in generic form by 2009.

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association

Wal-Mart has once again expanded its $4 prescription drug progam, making good on its promise to spread the program nationwide. In addition to adding 11 more states to the list, it has also added 17 more prescriptions to the list. That brings the totals to 331 commonly prescribed generic prescriptions drugs available for $4 in 38 states.

If you live in Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, or Washington, you can now take advantage of the $4 pricing at Wal-Mart stores.

Wal-Mart is again expanding its $4 prescription drug program to include 12 more states. The program has been met with enthusiastic response.

Wal-Mart sells a 30 day supply of 314 generic prescription drugs for $4 and offers the program now in 27 states. Wal-Mart says it intends to spread the program nationwide.

The discounts are available at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Neighborhood Market stores in the following states:

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arkansas
* Arizona
* Delaware
* Florida
* Georgia
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Maryland
* Michigan
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersy
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* Ohio
* Oregon
* South Dakota
* Texas
* Vermont
* Virginia