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Health

Board Of Supervisors Approves Discount Drug Program

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today approved a discount drug program in which residents can save up to 65 percent on some prescriptions.

The Coast2Coast Rx Discount Prescription Card Program will be free to all county residents. In addition to savings on about 60,000 prescription drugs, residents can save up to 80 percent on lab and imaging tests not covered by insurance.

The program includes discounts on dental, vision and hearing services, as well as veterinary medicines, at pharmacies nationwide.

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"This program will help San Diegans who are struggling to meet the rising costs of prescription drugs and who are falling through the cracks in the health care system," Supervisor Greg Cox said.

The discount program is not meant to replace insurance. Those with health insurance would benefit the most benefit, supervisors said, but uninsured residents will qualify.

"For those people who do not have insurance,this program will greatly reduce the cost to obtain prescriptions," Supervisor Ron Roberts said.

The cards issued by Financial Marketing Concepts are free to taxpayers, in return for the county publicizing the program through its networking partners, such as 211 San Diego, which connects callers with community, health and disaster services.

The county government will get $1.35 every time a prescription is filled by someone using a discount card. The proceeds will go to the health department and for publicizing the program.

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The program will be evaluated after a year.

The cards will be available in June at participating pharmacies and county buildings, such as libraries. They can be ordered by calling 211. Information on which medications are covered is available by calling (800) 931-8872, or by visiting the web site coast2coastrx.com.

Our biggest problem is getting people to understand this isn't too good to be true," Supervisor Bill Horn said.

San Diego is the 15th California county to participate in the FMC program. Ventura County was the first to sign up in 2008.