Pilot Study Evaluating Utilization Patterns of the $4.00 Pharmacy Program in a Community Retail Setting

Abstract

To increase access, availability, and affordability, large retail pharmacies have initiated $4.00 monthly programs for generic medications. We conducted this pilot survey to determine the demographics and purchasing patterns of patients utilizing the $4.00 program at a community retail pharmacy setting in the United States. We conducted a pilot survey, with 20 questions, in North Texas at a large retail chain grocery store pharmacy. We collected data regarding demographics, medications purchased, and cost to the customer and then analyzed these data using descriptive statistics. Of the 60 pharmacy customers we approached, 54 (90 percent) consented to take the survey. Among the participants, 88 percent had some form of health insurance coverage, with the majority carrying either private insurance (63 percent) or Medicare (19 percent). Of the 27 individuals participating in the $4.00 program, 23 had some form of health insurance. Heart health/blood pressure medications were the most commonly purchased (31 percent), followed by cholesterol‐reducing medications (13 percent). This pilot survey illustrates that a majority of the individuals surveyed were aware of the program. However, only 50 percent of the study participants used the program, with 88 percent having some form of health insurance coverage.