Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Health Services announced the launch of AZRx, a prescription drug discount card program aimed to help residents save money on their medications. The ArrayRx discount card, part of a multistate public pharmacy collaborative, is now available to Arizonans, providing discounts of up to 80% on prescribed drugs, according to the Office of the Governor.
The inclusion of Arizona into this joint pharmaceutical effort is significant, as it empowers the state to negotiate for lower drug prices. "We are working to make critical and lifesaving medicines more affordable for Arizona families," Office of the Governor stated in an announcement released yesterday. She encourages all residents to take benefit of the program by signing up for the card. The initiative continues Hobbs' efforts to reduce medical costs, following her action earlier this year to erase $429 million in medical debt for many Arizonans.
The ArrayRx card, which is free to sign up for, courtesy of an executive order from Hobbs, brings prescription relief not only to insured Arizonans but also those without insurance. It can help cover FDA-approved prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, specialty meds, and also includes mail-order pharmacies. Donna Sullivan, PharmD, MS, Co-Administrator for ArrayRx, welcomed Arizona into this collaborative, stating that alongside other member states, Arizonans now stand to benefit from a transparent prescription discount card that also protects their personal information while offering competitive discounts, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
With nearly 1,200 pharmacies across Arizona embracing this card, and over 64,000 locations nationwide, accessibility is key. "AZRx is a critical new tool to provide more affordable prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications to Arizonans," Reginald Williams, Administrator of ADHS Office of Health Engagement and Impact, remarked. Furthermore, Dana Marie Kennedy, Arizona State Director at AARP, called it "more than a program; it's a lifeline," as stated by the Office of the Governor.
Interested Arizonans can enroll in the program by signing up for a digital ArrayRx Discount Card, which is required to access the discounts at participating pharmacy locations. Each family member needs their own card, which can be downloaded or printed for use at checkout. While the card does not cover prescriptions for animals and cannot be combined with insurance or other discount cards, it represents a resourceful addition a Arizonan's toolbox for managing healthcare costs., as per the Office of the Governor.
