Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein: Consumers Can Save Money With Online State Prescription Drug Registry

GREENSTEIN: CONSUMERS CAN SAVE MONEY
WITH ONLINE STATE PRESCRIPTION DRUG REGISTRY 

New Price Index Gives Residents Ability to Comparison Shop for Best Values

(PRINCETON) - Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein today joined with Governor Jon S. Corzine, AARP, Attorney General Ann Milgram, Senator Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) and health and consumer advocates to spread the word to New Jersey residents about a new state Web site that gives consumers the ability to comparison shop for the lowest prescription medicine prices.

Holding a press conference at the AARP offices in Princeton, Greenstein and the other participants launched a campaign aimed at ensuring that New Jersey residents are aware of the potential cost-savings that can be achieved through the New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry - www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/njpdr.

The Web site is operated by the state's Division of Consumer Affairs and is a user friendly database where consumers can research pricing and other retail information for the 150 most-popular prescription medications, including a listing of nearby pharmacies selling a given drug.

"With this new price comparison tool, New Jersey consumers can get the best deals possible for their prescription drugs," said Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer), prime sponsor of the 2004 law establishing New Jersey's prescription drug registry.  "This registry is especially beneficial for senior citizens who face rising prescription drug bills while trying to make ends meet on their fixed incomes."

Residents without Internet access can obtain a copy of the drug registry by calling toll-free 1-800-242-5846.

Each pharmacy in the state also is required to keep a printed list of their price for any drug included in the registry.  That list must be provided to customers upon request.

The New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry will be kept up-to-date through the Division of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with officials from the departments of Human Services and Health and Senior Services.

The Internet registry also provides links to state and federal government Web sites with additional prescription drug information including government regulations and assistance programs, as well as to non-profit consumer organizations.

Greenstein said the drug price registry sorely needed because of rising medicine costs.

According to an AARP report, prices for 193 common brand-name prescription drugs increased 6.2 percent nationwide in 2006, a $272 average increase for a senior citizen taking four prescription drugs daily.  By comparison the nation's rate of general inflation was 3.6 percent for the year.

Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation says each prescription costs the average New Jersey consumer $63.20, approximately 15 percent higher than the national average of $53 per prescription.

"New Jersey's new prescription drug price registry is a simple but powerful tool that New Jersey consumers can use to save money and drive down the cost of prescription drugs," said Greenstein.  "Consumers can access this easy-to-use registry by internet or phone to start saving money today on each and every prescription they buy."

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