Wal-Mart's $4 Generics Go Nationwide; Giant Eagle, Price Cutter Join In

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores launched its $4 generic prescription program in the 11 final states needed to make it available in all of the retailer‘s U.S. pharmacies yesterday. Now in the store‘s 3,810 pharmacies, the program was initially scheduled to go nationwide by January but was accelerated due to customer demand, the company said. With this launch, Wal-Mart has expanded the list of generic prescriptions available for up to a 30-day supply at $4 from 314 medications to 331. Last week, Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh, began its own $4 prescription drug plan, covering 314 generic prescriptions in all of its Pennsylvania supermarket pharmacies. To receive the discounted price on qualifying prescriptions, Giant Eagle customers must present their Giant Eagle Advantage card, according to the company. Meanwhile, Price Cutter, Springfield, Mo., took the program even lower and began offering a $3 price on over 300 generic prescriptions late last week. Nineteen pharmacies under the Ramey, Price Cutter, Price Cutter Plus and Smitty‘s banners will participate.