Aug. 6, 2012 - Today at 1 p.m. Chatham County Commission and Financial Marketing Concepts Inc., (FMC) will hold a press conference to launch a new prescription drug discount program at the Commission Meeting Room located at 24 Bull St., Savannah.

Once launched, the new Coast2Coast Rx card will allow all county residents, regardless of income, age, or health status to participate in the program and save on the cost of their medications. This program saved cardholders throughout the nation an average of 55 percent in 2011 on the cost of prescription drugs. Even pets and family members living outside the county are able to take part in the program. The Rx card will be distributed free of charge and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in Chatham County and includes over 60,000 drugs in its formulary.

"With healthcare costs on the rise, prescription drug discounts will help ease some of the financial burdens county families are facing at a time when they need it the most," said Commissioner Pete Liakakis, Chair of the Chatham Board of County Commissioners.. There are no eligibility requirements, so the Rx card is expected to have a sizeable impact on uninsured residents, residents facing high insurance deductibles and will allow savings for persons in need of prescriptions not covered by their current plans.

Providing savings for residents through the Rx program will come at no expense to the County. In fact, Coast2Coast Rx will pay the County a royalty of $1.25 per prescription and the royalty does not increase cardholder cost. Besides the discount on prescriptions, the card also provides discounts on dental, vision, veterinary and hearing services; plus discounts on lab and imaging tests and diabetes supplies and equipment for all family members.

Edward W. Rahn, president of Financial Marketing Concepts, Inc., of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the issuer of the Coast2Coast Rx free discount card, says "We are pleased to work with the County to help individuals, their families and pets combat the rising cost of healthcare." Rahn added "We appreciate all that the County and local pharmacies are doing to help those in need."

The Coast2Coast Rx card will be available for residents at most participating pharmacies, governmental offices, libraries and County health facilities. Residents will also be able to print the Rx card and view the nearest participating locations at www.coast2coastrx.com.

The Coast2Coast Rx card will provide residents with a valuable tool to help maintain their health and wellbeing at an affordable cost. Other Georgia Counties in the program include Augusta-Richmond, Banks, Ben Hill, Chatham, Greene, Habersham, Heard, Jones, Liberty, Oconee, and Turner.