Wal-Mart and Target stores across the
nation have rolled out low-cost drug programs this week,
charging $4 for more than 300 generic
drugs.
But the state's Unfair Sales Act prevents retailers
from selling products below cost. The move is designed
to protect small businesses from being undersold. That
means about 30 drugs in certain doses will cost $9.
"(The law) talks about being deceptive to consumers
… bringing them into the store to buy something
really cheap and then having all these other goods
available at higher prices," said Janet Jenkins
with the Wisconsin Department of Consumer Protection.
Wal-Mart pharmacist Teresa Geier said there are many
people she sees who can't afford their prescriptions.
"There are a lot of people that don't have insurance,
and sometimes they make decisions on whether they
take their medications or they eat for the day,"
Geier said.
But some local pharmacies said that the move by Wal-Mart
and Target will make it hard for them to compete in
the marketplace.
Despite having higher wholesale costs, other local
pharmacies could match the $4 and $9 prices to compete,
but some said that doesn't seem likely.
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