The free city of Phoenix/Coast2CoastRx Prescription Drug Discount Card Program has saved residents $8 million to date. Card users are saving an average of 65 percent off the retail price of prescription drugs helping residents fill 200,000 prescriptions.

Partnerships like this make sense for the city of Phoenix, because it has produced millions of dollars in savings for residents and puts money back into the city's General Fund -- now that's what I call a winning partnership, said Vice Mayor Bill Gates, who chairs the City Council Finance, Efficiency and Economy Subcommittee.

The card is easy to get and use. Anyone can pick one up at any Phoenix Public Library and other city buildings, print a free card at coast2coastrx.com/phoenix, or call 1-800-931-8872 for the Coast2CoastRx member services phone line.

The discount card program is helping Phoenix residents stay healthy by getting medications they need, said Councilman Michael Nowakowski, District 7. It helps our community better afford the expensive costs of prescriptions.

The cards are accepted at almost all pharmacies nationwide. They are most helpful for people who do not have prescription drug insurance coverage, have high deductibles, or are in the Medicare donut hole. The program even provides discounts on pet medications, veterinary services, dental, vision, hearing and more.

No city funds are used for the program, and the partnership actually has generated more than $167,000 for city of Phoenix programs and services.

We started this program as part of our Innovation and Efficiency efforts, said City Manager David Cavazos. Its an example of how we can help the community in a new way, with a great benefit to the city at the same time.

Program partners distributing cards include: The Valley of the Sun United Way, Cesar Chavez Foundation, Phoenix Union High School District, Paradise Valley Unified School District, Washington Elementary School District, Arizona State Universitys Downtown Phoenix and West campuses, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Maricopa Community Colleges and TGen. The cities of Glendale and Chandler and the Town of Gilbert also have introduced the Coast2CoastRx program in their communities.

The prescription drug discount card program is a business partnership through the city of Phoenix Marketing Partnership Program. Program goals are to develop mutually beneficial business partnerships and generate revenue for city of Phoenix programs and services. For more information, visit phoenix.gov/bizpartners.   back...