Ohio Drug Card Media Center

(Green, OH) – Good news was recently announced for all Ohioans. The Ohio Drug Card Program will now distribute "FREE" discount prescription drug cards to residents of Ohio. Everyone is eligible to participate in the program. There are no age restrictions, no income restrictions and no applications to fill out.

The prescription savings average about 30 percent and can range up to 75 percent. The rest of the good news is that the cards are good at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies. Those participating pharmacies include Kmart Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Meijer, Discount Drug Mart, Marc's Pharmacy, as well as thousands of independent pharmacies.

The Ohio Drug Card Program is intended to help many people in many different situations. It will help the uninsured and underinsured citizens of Ohio afford their prescription medications. It will also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is common in many health savings accounts and high deductible health plans. The program will also aid people who have prescription coverage for non-formulary or non-covered drugs.

Individuals who do not qualify for publicly funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare or those who receive their medicines through charity care providers such as 340B can also use the Ohio Drug Card. This program even covers some pet medications that are available at participating pharmacies.

Greg Lashutka, the former mayor of Columbus, has been selected as the Program Director for the Ohio Drug Card. Lashutka played football for Ohio State under head coach Woody Hayes from 1963-1965. In 1965 Lashutka served as his team's co-captain. He was elected mayor of Columbus in 1991 and served as mayor from 1992 through 1999 being elected twice. Lashutka served as president of the National League of Cities during his time as mayor.

"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 Ohio Drug Card Program has no restrictions or participation requirements and is open to every resident of Ohio. As a resident of Ohio, you can download your free prescription drug card by visiting www.OhioDrugCard.com. Anyone not able to access the Web site, or otherwise obtain a member card, can visit any Kmart Pharmacy location in Ohio. Kmart Pharmacy will process your prescription through the Ohio Drug Card program even if you do not have a member card.

You can search for drug pricing and participating pharmacies at www.ohiodrugcard.com. The card is pre-activated and can be used at any participating pharmacy. Most major pharmacies, as well as thousands of independent pharmacies, accept the card.