Walgreens V. Express Scripts

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I think this is a travesty.

Walgreens is one of the largest drug store chains in the US, and one of the middle men that they partner with is refusing to re-up the contract unless Walgreens allows them to dictate the terms of that contract and what they charge for many products. Walgreens is not even asking for more money, they only want the same deal they had before, that, coincidentally, helped the middleman, a company called Express Scripts, become one of the most profitable pharmaceutical retailers in the country. Walgreens and Express Scripts

And so Walgreens is forced to drop all of the customers served by Express Scripts unless they want to switch prescription plans. Walgreens is giving a significant discount through January to Express Scripts customers on their Prescription Savings Club. Those customers are still out any special offers that they had from Express Scripts if they want to work with the same pharmacist they have had in the past.

And here’s where it gets ugly.

Tricare is one of Express Scripts’ clients. Tricare is the health and prescription drug program for America’s military service men and women. During negotiations, Walgreens took the unprecedented step of offering Express Scripts an ironclad guarantee that Walgreens prices would match or beat the average costs per adjusted prescription of all other pharmacies in the Tricare network. Express Scripts continues to refuse to negotiate a separate contract for the benefit of the Tricare program and its beneficiaries.

Express Scripts is engaged in what they should be engaged in, an effort to maximize their profits. But profits are not always just monies and Express Scripts has lost sight of that. If a very large prescription drug coverage system like Express Scripts continues to negotiate this way may places may lose corner or neighborhood drug stores all together. Where will even they turn at 2:00 am after a terrifying night in the ER for the meds that they need, a mail order service like Express Scripts?! I think not.

Important note.

Only patients with certain prescription insurance plans managed by Express Scripts are impacted. It is best to check with your local Walgreens pharmacist to find out for sure if you’re impacted. Patients also can check the back of their prescription insurance card – if it has Express Scripts’ name there, then they may be affected. If it doesn’t say Express Scripts, then they are not affected.

Among the steps Walgreen is taking to minimize the disruption is offering a special discount on annual membership for its Prescription Savings Club. An individual can join during a special January promotion for only $5, or $10 for a family membership, and receive savings on more than 8,000 brand name and all generic medications. More than 400 generics are available with a three-month supply for less than $1 a week. Regular annual membership is $20 for an individual and $35 for a family. Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens

Make Yourself heard.

Go to Twitter, or Facebook, or even wright a letter to your local print newspaper. Companies should not be allowed to jeopardize our freedom of choice in this manner. Maximizing profits is good, hurting people to do it is unacceptable. 

to keep informed go to; Walgreens on Twitter  Walgreens on Facebook