“Colorado’s FREE Discount Prescription Drug Card Program”

(Colorado Springs, CO) – It's one prescription drug discount card that anyone can use, whether they have insurance, or not. However, a Target 13 Investigation revealed that some Colorado pharmacists don't even know about it.

The Colorado Drug Card is a card that anyone can use to get a discount on prescriptions. Consumers don't even need to possess the card, they just need to ask for the card to be applied when the pick up their prescriptions.

Some consumers could needlessly be paying more, simply because they aren't asking the right questions. And, some pharmacists aren't telling them otherwise.

KRDO NEWSCHANNEL 13 investigated and went to one big box pharmacy in Colorado Springs. NEWSCHANNEL 13 asked the pharmacist if the knew about the Colorado Drug Card.

"Actually, I don't," said the pharmacist. "I'm not familiar with that one."

NEWSCHANNEL 13 called several other Colorado stores in that same chain and got similar responses. We asked that pharmacist about the card again later during the interview. "I actually have to look that up," he said. "Can I look that up real quick?" he asked.

After searching his computer for several minutes, the pharmacist turned around and said, "We do (accept the card)."

The Colorado Drugs Card website lists many participating retailers. That particular big box pharmacy was listed on the website.

KRDO NEWSCHANNEL 13 also talked to pharmacists at King Soopers and Walmart. They knew exactly what the Colorado Drug Card was.

"Sometimes I have seen that the Colorado plan has been lower than the co-pays," said Walmart Pharmacy Manager Kim Rahalewich. "Sometimes I have seen that they only save like a couple of cents. Sometimes I've seen a great savings."

The discounts can vary from drug to drug.

"Anyone is eligible," said King Soopers Director of Pharmacy Marla Frawner. "We can get a card for anyone."

There are other cards that will also help whittle down costs: The El Paso County Free Prescription Drug Card and the Pueblo County Discount Card

KRDO NEWSCHANNEL 13 asked the pharmacist who didn't know about the Colorado Drug Card to look up the prices on some commonly prescribed drugs. He found that one generic drug used to treat seizures was listed at $109.99. When he used the El Paso County Discount Card, the cost came to $47.40. When he applied the Colorado Drug Card, it rang up at $23.27.

He admitted that was a pretty significant difference.

Given that example, KRDO NEWSCHANNEL 13 asked that pharmacist if he might start looking up the Colorado Drug Card price for some consumers.

"Yeah," he said. "Knowing that we can help people, if you know especially if they remind us. Sometimes we get busy and don't always remember to do that."

To be clear, King Soopers and Walmart did accept the card during this Target 13 probe. Most of them even volunteered the card information before they were asked about it.

After this Target 13 investigation, KRDO NEWSCHANNEL 13 called the other big box pharmacies back. Now they do accept the Colorado Drug Card.

(Denver) – With family budgets getting tighter all the time, some good news about a discount program that can save you money on prescription drug costs.

The program is called the Colorado Drug Card. It's free and available to all Colorado residents. It offers a discount of anywhere between 10 and 70 percent on certain prescription drugs.

Kate Horle, with the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce explains ask your pharmacist to compare the cost of a drug using your insurance against the cost using the Colorado Drug card and then take whichever is cheapest.

Organizations that issue the cards use their volume to negotiate better prices on medications. Horle says savings vary depending on the drug and on your specific insurance.

You can get the cards at most pharmacies or print your own through the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce web site.

(Denver, CO) – The Denver Metro Chamber, in partnership with the Colorado Drug Card announced today that Walgreens pharmacy has agreed to be the preferred pharmacy for the program. As part of the agreement, Walgreens will process prescriptions through Colorado Drug Card for those people who are not able to print or otherwise obtain a drug savings card.

"As Colorado's economy begins to recover from this economically challenging time, access to less-expensive prescriptions can make a critical difference in the health of Coloradans," said Robert Blankenship, Chief Operating Officer of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. "No Coloradan should have to choose between filling their prescriptions and other needs."

Colorado residents can obtain a free card, search drug pricing and locate participating pharmacies by visiting www.ColoradoDrugCard.com. This card will provide drug savings of up to 75 percent at more than 56,000 pharmacies across the country including Walgreens, Safeway, Albertsons, Sav-on, Target, Kmart, Walmart and many other stores.

All Colorado residents are eligible for this program. There are no restrictions to membership, no income requirements, no age limits and no applications are needed.

The Colorado Drug Card is a simple solution to the confusing maze of discount programs that have appeared in recent years. Many of these programs require enrollment and some have membership restrictions such as age and income requirements. Additional information on the program can be found at www.ColoradoDrugCard.com.

(Denver, CO) – Colorado Drug Card, in partnership with The Denver Metro Chamber, announced today that Walgreens pharmacy has agreed to be the "Preferred Pharmacy" for the program. As part of the agreement, Walgreens has agreed to process prescriptions through Colorado Drug Card. Coloradans can simply walk into any Walgreens location and ask the pharmacist to process their prescription through the Colorado Drug Card. Walgreens will also have hard cards available at pharmacy locations throughout the State.

"As Colorado's economy begins to recover from this economically challenging time, access to less-expensive prescriptions can make a critical difference in the health of Coloradans," said Robert Blankenship, Chief Operating Officer of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. "No Coloradan should have to choose between filling their prescriptions and other needs."

Colorado residents can obtain a free card, search drug pricing and locate participating pharmacies by visiting www.ColoradoDrugCard.com. This card will provide drug savings of up to 75 percent at more than 56,000 pharmacies across the country including Walgreens, Safeway, Albertsons Sav-on, Target, Kmart, and many other stores.

All Colorado residents are eligible for this program. There are no restrictions to membership, no income requirements, no age limits and no applications are needed.

The Colorado Drug Card is a simple solution to the confusing maze of discount programs that have appeared in recent years. Many of these programs require enrollment and some have membership restrictions such as age and income requirements. Additional information on the program can be found at www.ColoradoDrugCard.com.