CWAG Announces Major Expansion of the Prescription Drug Information Center

The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) is pleased to offer a major expansion and increased options in its Prescription Drug Information Center by offering new Canadian pharmacies, international options, lower prices and a major new program for generic drugs.  This improved CWAG membership benefit is taken in response to the inaction of Congress to act to control prescription drug prices for all Americans.

CWAG has collaborated with two Canadian pharmacy services, and a generic Minnesota prescription service to form the Prescription Drug Information Center. This Center offers seniors an opportunity to determine the most economical drug coverage option available (other than Part D) to them by simply calling in, mailing in their order or going online.  This gives seniors the opportunity to save a substantial amount of money on their prescription drugs without leaving the safety and security of their own homes.  For several years CWAG has worked with colleagues at the Minnesota Senior Federation and United Senior Action of Indiana to negotiate the best possible prescription drug prices for its members.  “We believe that our new partnerships provide the lowest prices available through Canadian and European pharmacies and the absolute lowest prices on generic drugs,” said Tom Frazier, executive director of CWAG.

Understanding that every senior has a unique situation with different needs, this collaboration involves two Canadian Pharmacy Services—Extended Care Pharmacy (ECP) in Calgary, Alberta and Canadian Pharmacy Service (CPS) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Both provide seniors with an easy-to use program that offers both good service and the lowest overall prices on brand name medications. Extended Care Pharmacy, in Alberta is primarily a Canadian supplier, while Canadian Pharmacy Service utilizes international options on some drugs in addition to their Canadian suppliers.

It is clearly recognized that generic prescription drugs are generally over priced both in Canada and the United States; therefore, to offer even greater savings on generic drugs, CWAG also has partnered with MedSave Plus Pharmacy based in New Hope and Duluth, Minnesota. 

The Savings
A Minnesota survey conducted in early 2005 on a market basket of sixteen popular brand name prescriptions showed average savings using the Canadian and international fulfillment, of 53% over Twin Cities prices with Canadian Pharmacy Service, Winnipeg.  The second greatest savings was found in Extended Care Pharmacy of Calgary, using exclusive Canadian fulfillment.  The survey also examined the best of the Medicare Approved Discount Cards on these same drugs that revealed a savings of 24% over Twin Cities' prices.  Canadian prices were 57% better than the best Medicare discount cards.
However, the most dramatic savings can be seen in the new negotiated program on generic prescription drugs using the Minnesota-based MedSave Plus Pharmacy.   This survey included 19 of the most commonly prescribed generic drugs. These drugs were compared between MedSave Plus and three major local Twin City competitors.  It showed a savings of 43 to 67% over these pharmacies, with an overall average price savings of 63%.  To put the MedSave Plus negotiated program to the ultimate test, a comparison of prices with this program and best prices using a Medicare Approved Prescription Drug Discount Card revealed an average savings of 31%.  In addition, CWAG members will realize savings on shipping costs.  CPS direct mails prescription orders for $10 (American dollars) and ECP also charges $10.00 except orders over $99.00 will be shipped FREE of charge.  MedSave Plus charges only $1.00 per order.

Miriam Reibold of the Minnesota Senior Federation—one of our collaborative partners—said it best during their press release to announce its prescription drug expansion program.  “We had hoped that the Medicare Modernization Act with its $600 billion drug benefit would have made the need for programs like ours go away, but it hasn’t.  The new drug act delivers a grossly inadequate benefit and inadequate savings, at a huge cost to American taxpayers.  The winners are the international pharmaceutical companies and the large for-profit health plans.  The losers are American seniors and the American taxpayers.”
“While we would wish that our government would put the interests of Americans ahead of greed of the drug companies by direct drug price negotiation,” said Reibold, “there is still hope that we can use the power of international markets to reduce prescription drug costs for all Americans.” 

CWAG continues to make every effort to provide its members with the lowest prices for prescription drugs.  We believe we can provide not only one option but three options, depending upon your individual needs.  Please call any of the pharmacies at their toll-free numbers (Extended Care Pharmacy = 866/266-9955; Canada Pharmacy Service = 866/633-2924 or MedSave Pharmacy = 866/856-9633) for free price quotations or to place an order (make sure to mention your CWAG membership number).  Or if you have questions on the program or wish to become a member of CWAG call toll-free 800/366-2990 extension 323 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Remember, it is easy to become a CWAG member and there are no age restrictions for CWAG membership.