FamilyWize Celebrates National Pharmacists Month at Roosevelt Field

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Long Island area residents struggling to pay for necessary prescription medications, even while insured, can benefit from stopping by the FamilyWize information center at Roosevelt Field from October 19-21. In honor of National Pharmacists Month, FamilyWize (proudly partnered with United Way) will offer free prescription discount cards offering savings up to 75 percent to mall shoppers as well as the opportunity to chat with a pharmacist about the importance of medication adherence.

 

FamilyWize is celebrating National Pharmacists Month in recognition of the friendly, knowledgeable pharmacists who ensure that patients use prescription medications correctly.

 

In a recent CVS Caremark report on medication adherence, President and CEO Larry Merlo states that “Our own pharmacists confirm what we are learning from our research into medication adherence – that the pharmacist can be one of the most influential voices in helping patients take their medications as directed.” Patients skip their medication or don’t take them as directed for many reasons, including cost, forgetfulness or lack of knowledge. This can have a huge impact on individuals’ future overall health. Pharmacists have the unique ability to positively impact the likelihood of increased medical adherence through counseling and patient education.

 

The National Consumers League has also provided wallet medicine reminder cards to be distributed at the FamilyWize info center as part of the NCL’s Script Your Future campaign. "We are so thrilled to work with the Script Your Future team on helping get the word out on the positive long-term impact to individual's health by taking their medication regularly,” says Holly Preuss, Chief Marketing Officer at FamilyWize. “By pledging to take their medication as directed and filling in the wallet cards with their prescription details, consumers are taking the necessary steps toward better health.

 

Pharmacists agree that there is tremendous cost-saving value in filling and taking all prescription medications as directed. “As a Registered Pharmacist, I’ve seen firsthand the negative heath impact caused by patients not taking their medication the way it was prescribed,” says Sharon Galzarano, R.Ph., who will be on hand at the FamilyWize booth during the weekend at Roosevelt Field to answer questions from visitors. “I’m hopeful that by using the free FamilyWize prescription drug discount card, patients will not only be able to afford their new prescriptions, but will also be able to afford to consistently refill their “maintenance” medications, such as those for diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions. Frankly, that’s critical to a patient’s long-term health.”

 

In the midst of an uncertain economic climate, FamilyWize has eliminated the need to choose between necessary expenses and filling prescription medications. The free FamilyWize discount prescription card is honored by major pharmacy chains like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, Rite-Aid, CVS, and many others including local community pharmacies. In the Long Island, NY area, 24 Waldbaums locations accept the FamilyWize cards. FamilyWize’s new website, FamilyWize.org, lets people compare medication costs at local pharmacies as well as download a free prescription discount card that can save up to 75% on medicine costs, a discount that is sometimes even greater than what insurance coverage offers.

 

There are still over 80 million people who can be helped, but are not aware that a program like this exists. “We are hoping everyone will volunteer just one minute of their time to tell or spread the word to their friends and co-workers about this important free help,” says Dan Barnes, Chieficer and co-founder of FamilyWize. “Your local United Way will be happy to supply anyone with extra cards to give family and friends. Or you can help just by putting a link on your Facebook page, or emailing a link to FamilyWize.org to everyone you know.”

 

The FamilyWize booth will be staffed during regular mall hours from Friday, October 19 through Sunday, October 21. In addition to getting the free FamilyWize prescription discount drug card and “Ask the Pharmacist,” there will be giveaways, including Halloween glow sticks for children, while supplies last.

 

 

The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership was established in the fall of 2005 to help people get the medicine they need. Today, more than 1,000 participating United Ways and America’s Promise Alliance Partners in all 50 states coordinate the local distribution of the free FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards which lower the cost of medicine by up to 75% to make it more affordable. As of September 2012, the free FamilyWize cards have helped more than 4 million people save over $404 million. For more information, visit About Us.