Ohio Drug Card Media Center

(Columbus, OH) – A program called the Ohio Drug Card is distributing free discount prescription drug cards to residents of Ohio for a program beginning Monday.

The program has no restrictions on membership, such as income or age, a news release said. Ohio Drug Card reports savings can range from 30 percent to 75 percent at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies, including Kmart Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Meijer, Discount Drug Mart, Marc's Pharmacy.

A pharmacist at the Austintown Kmart confirmed that the program begins Monday and said it provides savings similar to other drug discount programs that reduce prescription costs. Kmart has a program that charges $15 for a 90-day supply of many generic drugs, and some other programs charge $4 for a 30-day supply, she noted.

To participate in the program, download a free prescription card at www.ohiodrugcard.com or visit a Kmart pharmacy.

The Ohio Drug Card Program was launched to help the uninsured and underinsured citizens of Ohio afford their prescription medications, Ohio Drug Card reports.

Greg Lashutka, the former mayor of Columbus, is program director for the Ohio Drug Card. Lashutka, mayor from 1992 through 1999, was also senior vice president of corporate relations for Nationwide Insurance from 2000 to 2007.

"This program can help every resident of Ohio. We are calling on hospitals, clinics, associations and organizations to create public awareness for the program and to make this program available to our citizens," said Lashutka. "This program is just what the people of Ohio needed to help them manage rising insurance and medical expenses."

The Web site also allows a person to search for drug pricing and participating pharmacies.