Chicago RX Card to provide prescription discounts to city residents

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new program was announced Wednesday to give Chicagoans discounts on prescription drugs.

The Chicago RX Card offers savings of up to 80 percent on name-brand and generic medications. The program is available as of Wednesday, does not use taxpayer money and is free to all residents.

"We're not going to make the world a better place totally...but in a small little way, Chicago is making a dent in the cost of prescription drugs for consumers here in Chicago," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said as he unveiled the program.

The card will be accepted at all major chain pharmacies and some locally owned stores. Interested residents can visit chicagorxcard.com. for more information and to compare prices between participating pharmacies.

While customers cannot use both the Chicago RX Card and their insurance, they can use the website to see which will save them the most money on any given prescription.

"It can be anywhere from $10 to $100 in savings, it just depends on the prescription that you pick up," said City Clerk Anna Valencia.

As part of the city's agreement with the vendor, pharmacists can now legally tell customers if there are cheaper options for their medications.

According to city officials, the program is free because the costs to cover the discounted prescriptions is negotiated and managed directly between the vendor and participating pharmacies.