Wal Mart started it’s sale of certain generic drugs for $4 in Tampa, FL last month and then rolled it out across the state in the next few weeks.
The giant retailer is extending the plan to 14 more states soon and hopes to be offering the discounted prices nationwide by January 1, 2007.
The special pricing affects about 300 generics, a handful of the over 8500 generic drugs approved by the FDA and for that reason some call the promotion little more than a “marketing stunt” or loss leader.
Health care is a very serious concern to the self employed and hopefully this program will help some.
There is a concerted effort by the pharmaceutical industry to avoid regulation that would slash into their profits - that’s why ad trailers for patented medicines often carry messages like “contact __________ if you are unable to afford this medicine.”
What else can the free market do to lower health care costs? I’m not sure. The health care market isn’t really “free” in the United States. It’s ultra regulated and super litigated and seems to defy attempts at reform.
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