The Rx Washington Card provides discounts at most mail order and retail pharmacies across the state. The annual membership fee is $10 per person.

“The new Rx Washington Card will provide an additional resource for Washington residents who do not have prescription drug insurance. It may also provide discounts on medications that are not covered by their existing insurance,” said Duane Thurman, director of the state’s Prescription Drug Program. “Many insurance or discount programs, including the new Medicare drug program, do not cover every single prescription.”

Those interested in receiving an application for the program should call 1-866-576-3862, or go online at www.rx.wa.gov. The $10 annual fee will cover administrative costs of the program, which will be run by Express Scripts, a major pharmacy benefits management service. Retail and mail order pharmacies affiliated with Express Scripts will participate in the Rx Washington Card program.

The discount card program is the initial phase of a new drug purchasing consortium for the state that will eventually permit local governments, businesses and labor organizations to join with state health care programs to purchase drugs more cost effectively.