Md. medical society members to give out discount drug cards

The more than 7,000 physician members of the Maryland State Medical Society, commonly known as “MedChi,” will be distributing pre-activated discount drug cards to their patients as part of the Maryland Rx Card program run by Baton Rouge. La.-based United Networks of America.

Steve Rice, Maryland Rx Card program director, said MedChi endorsed the program earlier this month and just announced the plan to distribute the cards. Rice said United Networks of America operates similar programs in almost 40 states with Utah and New Hampshire being the newest to join the fold.

The cards use a program that calculates the lowest available price taking into account various pricing programs and promotions being offered, and Rice said the discounts usually run about 40% off the average wholesale price and discounts can go as high as 75% off. Rice said MedChi members can distribute the cards without having patients fill out forms. Hospital-based MedChi members will distribute them to case managers who will give them to patients on discharge.

“The cards are pre-activated and ready to go,” Rice said. “That’s what so nice about this program.”

A MedChi representative was unavailable for comment.

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