Lieutenant Governor Paterson was in Albany to announce the site, www.rx.nyhealth.gov, which will help consumers access more affordable prescription drugs for themselves and their families. The Web site searches drug prices by zip code, city, or county; provides brand-name and generic drug prices; lists pharmacies' addresses and phone numbers; and provides driving directions. It was developed and will be maintained by the Department of Health.
"Being able to access affordable prescriptions will help countless New Yorkers who are impacted by the staggering cost of treating their illnesses," said Governor Spitzer. "This resource will help New Yorkers afford the prescriptions they need to stay healthy and impact the market by incentivizing drug companies that offer lower prices."
Lieutenant Governor Paterson said: "Consumers compare prices when they buy groceries or buy clothes. Yet for health care, a large share of a New Yorker's income, it is difficult if not impossible for consumers to do the same. This new Web site corrects this problem for prescription drugs, bringing overall health care costs down while saving New Yorkers money."
A 2006 analysis of Web searches conducted by then Attorney General Spitzer found that consumers could save an average of 24 percent by buying their medications at the lowest prices in their neighborhood. The analysis showed that retail prices of seven of the 25 most commonly prescribed drugs varied by more than 100 percent across the state. For example, Atenolol (dosage: 50 mg; quantity: 30), a generic blood pressure drug, was $2.75 at its lowest surveyed price, in Seneca County, and $42.30 at the highest surveyed price in Suffolk County -- almost 16 times more expensive. www.rx.nyhealth.gov updates prices on weekly basis and helps consumers make smart choices.
Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: "Informed consumers are smarter shoppers. This Web site will help people check prices so they can lower their personal cost of prescription drugs and use their health care dollars wisely."
Features of www.rx.nyhealth.gov include:
- Regular updates prices for the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs from data provided by the Medicaid system.
- All pharmacies that participate in Medicaid -- 89 percent of all pharmacies in the state.
- Prices for drugs at their most common quantity, strength and dosage. For example, while Amoxicillin is available in several different doses, the most common price for the most frequently prescribed strength, quantity and dosage form will be shown.
- A Frequently Asked Questions page; a "Contact Us" page; and a consumer information section with links to Web sites that provide information on prescriptions and programs that can help consumers obtain their medications.
