WAL-MART HAS DRUG PLAN
By Adnews Staff
Wal-Mart Canada launched a discount prescription drug program earlier this month. Under its Partners Plus plan, the cut-price retailer charges dispensing fees at its drug counters that are lower than those of other pharmacies. Wal-Mart is running the program in conjunction with insurance companies, which save money if employers with health insurance plans encourage their workers to buy prescription drugs at discount prices. So far three organizations have signed up for Partners Plus: the University of Waterloo, of Waterloo, Ont., the Ontario March of Dimes and steelmaker Sammi Atlas Inc. of Welland, Ont. The program is similar to those offered by mail-order firms such as MediTrust Healthcare Services Inc. Wal-Mart sales representatives are pitching Partners Plus to human resources personnel and benefits managers. NATIONAL Public Relations is doing PR. Wal-Mart runs a similar program in the U.S.