The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government has launched a discount card program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. The county is making free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) that offers average savings of 22 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage. A national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies also will honor the NACo prescription discount card.

There is no cost to county taxpayers for NACo and Athens-Clarke County to make these money saving cards available to residents.

"Using the NACo prescription discount card is easy," said Mayor Heidi Davison. "Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee, and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance."

Locations to pick up a card:

• new! Print a personalized card online
• Athens Neighborhood Health Centers (675 College Avenue & Miriam Moore Community Center - 402 McKinley Drive)
• Athens Nurses Clinic (496 Reese Street)
• Athens Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department or Social Work Services (1199 Prince Avenue) or by calling a Patient Affairs Coordinator at 706-475-3533
• City Hall (301 College Ave.)
• Clarke County Health Department (345 North Harris Street & East Athens Clinic - Miriam Moore Community Center - 402 McKinley Drive)
• Division of Family and Children Services (284 North Avenue)
• Mercy Health Center (767 Oglethorpe Avenue)

Athens-Clarke County residents can call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit www.caremark.com/naco for assistance with the program.

The Athens-Clarke County Discount Card Program in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) provides the following benefits to program participants:

• Average savings of 22 percent compared to regular retail prices.
• Average savings of 14 percent off brand name medicine and an average
  savings of 31 percent off generic medicine compared to regular retail prices.
• Average savings of 20 percent and an average savings of 50 percent on select
  generics through mail service.
• Savings on specialty medications
• No enrollment fees
• No age requirements
• No income requirements
• Family coverage with just one card
• More than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies nationwide.
• Nine out of 10 retail pharmacies participate in the program.
  
• All commonly prescribed medicine is covered
• Unlimited use
• Access to www.caremark.com/naco to learn more about: Health
  topics/Participating retail pharmacies/Drug interactions/News articles from
  leading health journals.

Please note:

• This plan is not insurance
• Savings are only available at participating pharmacies