Wal-Mart Saves Customers More Than $1 Billion
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Mar. 14, 2008 – In
an address to the Council of Teaching Hospitals in New Orleans later
today, Wal-Mart’s senior vice president and president of health and
wellness, Dr. John Agwunobi will confirm a major milestone for the
company’s $4 prescription program. Since its launch in September 2006, the
program has now saved Americans more than $1 billion ($1,032,573,012.61 as
of March 10, 2008).
In his prepared remarks, Agwunobi will mention
that more than 100 of Wal-Mart’s $4 prescriptions are used to treat heart
disease and diabetes. He will also add:
“While $1 billion in
savings is an astonishing achievement, the real savings to America – and
its health care system – are even larger. That’s because many of our
competitors have also lowered their prices. $4 prescriptions now represent
approximately 40 percent of all filled prescriptions at Wal-Mart. Nearly
30 percent of $4 prescriptions are filled without insurance –
significantly higher than the 10 percent industry trend. But more
importantly, this program has meant that people can now take the drugs
that were prescribed to them. They no longer need to cut pills in half or
not take the drugs at all.”
Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Neighborhood
Market customers in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Missouri
top the savings list respectively, each with more than $40 million in
prescription drug savings. A breakdown by state is available at http://www.livebetterindex.com/.
Wal-Mart’s $4
prescription program covers most commonly treated medical conditions and
continues to drive down health care costs for families. For further
information on the program, customers can call 1-800-WALMART or visit
their area Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market or Sam’s Club to discuss the
program with their pharmacist. They can also learn more at www.walmart.com/pharmacy.
About Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
operates Wal-Mart discount stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and
Sam’s Club locations in the United States. The Company operates in
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
The Company’s securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting
www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com/
© 2006 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.