Cedar Rapids residents can now receive prescription discount card

Cedar Rapids residents can now receive discounts on prescriptions. People may be familiar with a similar program introduced by Linn County a few years ago. The two cards can't be used together, but both can be printed off of the internet.

Today the city announced the new card that can provide people up to 25 percent off of prescriptions at participating pharmacies. The city is a member of the National League of Cities. This is a program the organization provides to it's members. It has no cost to the city and no cost to it's taxpayers. That is why City council member Kris Gulick says the city wanted to use it.

“If we don't take advantage of the benefits from an organization we pay dues to, then we're not really getting a good return on that investment,” Gulick said.

For those who live in Cedar Rapids, Gulick says there is one difference between the Cedar Rapids card and the Linn County card.

“Making citizens aware that they have this available to them is probably one of the benefits we have over the county because one more step is removed,” Gulick said.

Anyone living in Cedar Rapids or Linn County is eligible. There are no restrictions on income, insurance, or age. The card is available at the Cedar Rapids Public Library at Westdale Mall, City Hall, on the city's website, or people can watch for the card in their city utility bill.

The city doesn't pick which pharmacies participate, the national program does. However, local Clark's pharmacy owner, Craig Clark, is concerned with the discounts. His pharmacy works with CVS Caremark, a program that administers the discounted program. Clark is concerned with how the process could hurt his business.

“We've had one recently that we tried to honor and every product we tried to sell was below our cost,” Clark said.

He is worried the program could hurt both retail and privately owned pharmacies. “We will try it the first time and see if we can afford to do it,” Clark said. He also adds that he will continue to offer a fair price to anyone, insured or cash payers.

But Gulick said this program isn't anything new. “There are other comparable programs out on the marketplace already. We're not really doing anything different then what's already in place. We're providing this as a benefit to our community,” Gulick said.

If you would like more information about the program or would like to print off a card, click here.