Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way announces success of drug discount card

According to the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, their free FamilyWize drug discount card saved local people nearly $34,000 on prescriptions the first three months it was offered. (Source: "Discount cards save thousands on drug costs," Youngstown Vindicator, March 10, 2008.) "From November 2007 through January 2008, the FamilyWize card was used to file 2,088 claims in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, for a total savings of $33,987. The average savings per prescription was 33.7 percent or $16.28, said JoAnn Stock, United Way director of resource development and marketing." While the free cards are primarily for people with no health insurance or prescription coverage, they can be used by anyone in the community who needs to buy medicine not covered by their insurance, Medicaid or Medicare plans.