Miramar rolled out a free program Monday that gives residents an average of 20 percent off prescription drugs not covered by insurance. Hallandale Beach and Dania Beach launched the same program during summer 2009. Tamarac, Dania Beach, Lauderdale Lakes and Wilton Manors are also on board.

``In such difficult times and even normal times, prescription drugs are very costly -- particularly without insurance,'' said Miramar Mayor Lori Moseley. ``To me, any port in the storm is better than none.''

Miramar is the latest Broward city to take advantage of the initiative sponsored by the National League of Cities and CVS Caremark, but Broward County's Human Service Section introduced the program to residents countywide in May 2007. Still, many government officials and local residents haven't been aware of it.

Audrey Cohen, administrator for the county health section under the Community Partnership Division, said 57,200 residents have saved $1,662,000 since the program began through the National Association of Counties partnership. The savings came from discounts on 162,700 prescriptions, Cohen said. The average amount saved per prescription has been $10.21.

Because the city and county programs boil down to the same partnership with CVS Caremark, residents sign up through their own city or with the county.

``The more people that we help get access to the discounts the better,'' Cohen said. The prescription discount cards are available to residents with or without insurance or prescription plans. There are no age, income level or existing health coverage requirements.

``There are no restrictions period,'' Cohen said. ``Anyone who holds the card gets the discount.'

Although administered through CVS Caremark, the cards are good at 59,000 participating pharmacies in the United States, including privately owned drug stores and chains such as CVS, Walgreens, Kmart and Winn-Dixie. Christine Cramer, Caremark's public relations director, said CVS Caremark benefits from small fees paid by the pharmacies per prescription. The incentive is simple, she said: Pharmacies get more customers, customers get a discount.

``And all customers have to do is get a card and use it . . . there is no application, no enrollment fee,'' Cramer said. The program began nationwide in 2005 through county participants, Cramer said. Palm Beach County has reported that 86,600 residents using cards since it initiated the program in 2007 have saved nearly $3 million. The average saved is $13.64 per prescription. In Monroe County, 55,000 residents have saved $1.7 million or an average of $11.30 per prescription. Miami-Dade County does not participate, but the cities of Coral Gables, Palm Bay, South Miami, Miami Gardens and Belle Glade offer the cards.

Kim Morrow, Miramar's social service coordinator, said the cards can be used by all family members as often as needed.

``It's for all residents, you don't have to get six cards for six members of your family, you can use the same one over and over -- and it's free,'' Morrow said.

Hallandale Beach City commissioner Bill Julian said his city ordered 3,600 cards printed in English and 3,600 printed in Spanish. Already, the city has had to order another 3,600 cards.

``And I hope we have to order more,'' Julian said. ``It's like a gift to the residents -- finally we get a financial break.''

So far, nearly 350 cities in 42 states have joined the program through the National League of Cities and 1,257 counties are signed up through the National Association of Counties.

``You hear about best practices that work in other cities and you just want to bring them home. Its a no brainer to me,'' said Moseley, who heard about the program through the National League of Cities.

Here's how it works: Go to municipal offices in participating cities or any county library or county park. Get a card, then use it at participating pharmacies to get discounts that average 20 percent on drugs not covered by insurance. There are no enrollment forms or membership fees.

Certain over-the-counter items for the treatment of chronic disease such as diabetes can also be discounted. Some prescriptions for pets are also eligible for discounts if the drugs, like Benadryl, are also used by humans. Prices for medications not covered by insurance may vary from one pharmacy to the next and not all drugs will get the same discount.

``A customer could get 16 percent off one drug but 26 percent off another. The point is that the discount happens,'' Morrow said.

Program participants can visit CVS Caremark's website for prescription cost estimates at various pharmacies. Cardholders are also eligible for discounts on three-month supplies of some medications purchased through the mail.

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