Discount Prescription Drugs for All, Crist Announces

By: Alex Tiegen | Posted: April 7, 2010 12:32 AM

Gov. Charlie Crist announced Tuesday that he wants to make reduced-cost drugs available to all Floridians. In a press conference with Douglas Beach, secretary of the state Department for Elder Affairs, Crist said he was lifting the age and income limit for his Florida Discount Drug Card program.

“To have a discount drug card available to every Floridian regardless of age is extraordinary,” Crist said in a press conference.

The Florida Discount Drug Card was started by Crist in 2007 as a resource for lower-income Floridians between 60 and 64. The card, accepted by 60,000 pharmacies statewide, has been issued to about 135,000 Florida residents.

Residents who met the card’s previous eligibility requirements will receive rebates for the card.

The card, funded by a public-private partnership, costs the state nothing in tax dollars and can be used at any of the state’s major pharmacies.

The Florida Retail Federation thinks the expansion is a positive move, said Sally West, a lobbyist with the agency that represents Publix and other major retail pharmacies.

“It’s a state-negotiated discount with the chain drug stores, and we’re thrilled about it,” she said.

Andrea Gary, a public relations specialist with the Department of Elder Affairs, said the program is important in a state with such a concentrated population of elderly residents.

“Hopefully, more seniors will save on their prescriptions,” she said.