Township joining drug card program

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Updated: November 16, 2011 1:04PM

Barrington Township will join a number of area townships in offering a prescription drug discount program.

On Tuesday evening, the Barrington Township Board voted in favor of moving forward with the Coast2Coast Rx card, which allows residents, regardless of income, age or health status to participate in the program and save on the cost of their medications. Township Supervisor Gene Dawson said he would notify Coast2Coast on Wednesday of the township’s desire to move forward so they can plan the progam launch.

Once launched, the program is simple. Residents can visit their local township office to pick up the card or log on to www.coast2coastrx.com to find their township and download a card. The card can then be used to get qualifying prescription drugs at a discounted rate from participating pharmacies. So far, more than 20 townships in Cook, Lake and Dupage counties have launched the program. All a person needs is a name to put on the card.

Dawson and Trustees Bob Nykaza, Ron Szymanski and Kathy Thompson, via telephone, voted in favor of moving forward. Because he is employed by Walgreens, a participating pharmacy, Trustee Dan Fitzgerald recused himself from the vote.

Dawson told the board Tuesday night that the Township’s attorney had reviewed the program contract and that all references Dawson had received had been positive.

“At this point, I have not found any negative response to the program,” Dawson said.

The card includes some coverage for more than 60,000 drugs. After 1,700 prescriptions are filled using a township’s prescription card, the township is eligible for a 50-cent royalty for every eligible prescription beginning the following month. Dawson said any monies garnered from the program will go into the Township’s Angel Fund, which helps residents with things like assistance in paying electric and gas bills.

“I think it sounds good,” Nykaza said. “It sounded good awhile ago... I don’t see a negative unless they’re really pulling the wool over our eyes.”

Coast2Coast Rx is funded with dispensing fees from the pharmacies. While the pharmacy may get less money for filling a prescription, the card could help build clientele, according to Debby Karton, benefits coordinator for Illinois Public Pension Fund Association, which runs the program.

If a person’s township does not offer the card, they can sign up for a card through another township. If a person’s own township then starts offering the program, they will be encouraged to use their own township’s card.

For a list of participating locations near you, log on to www.coast2coastrx.com.