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NEWS RELEASE
Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders
94 Market Street. Salem, N.J. 08079
CONTACT: Deborah Turner-Fox, Clerk of the Board/Administrator
June 19, 2003
FREEHOLDER DIRECTOR "JACK" KUGLER AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR "CHUCK" SULLIVAN ANNOUNCE NEW PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT PROGRAM AVAILABILITY FOR SALEM COUNTY SENIORS
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Salem County Senior Citizens now have an additional way to save money on prescription drugs.
The Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders adopted a resolution at their June 18th meeting allowing the Garden State Pharmacy Owners Provider Services Corporation (GSPOPS) to offer a prescription savings program to any Salem County Senior Citizen, age 55 years and older and those county residents receiving Social Security Disability for a low annual fee of $20 per household. A discounted three-year fee of $40 per household will also be available.
"The escalation of prescription drug costs is a major concern to our senior citizens, especially those with a limited income and those without an employer’s retirement plan to fall back on," said Freeholder Director Jack Kugler. "As a county governing body, it is our responsibility to evaluate every option available to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs for our residents."
GSPOPS administers similar programs in several other counties in New Jersey, including Middlesex, Mercer, Bergen, and Somerset as well as approximately 90 municipalities in New Jersey. Savings to eligible participants range from 10 to 50 percent off regular retail process on brand-name generic drugs.
This program is targeted to help those not covered by an employer or retirement prescription program or the New Jersey PAAD program, which protects seniors whose incomes fall below state income limits. This is a mid-range discount program that is available to all Salem County senior citizens regardless of income. Additionally applicants will not be denied even if they have a pre-existing condition.
"This program will be the fourteenth prescription assistance program offered through the Salem County Office on Aging," stated Deputy Director Chuck Sullivan. "There is no cost to the county for this program and all administration will be done through GSPOPS so this is truly a win-win situation for our residents and the county," he stated.
Residents who have questions about which prescription plan is best for them should consult with their pharmacists. Additionally, senior citizens in the county may contact the Office on Aging toll free at to discuss any of the prescription drug discount plans available under the Med-Ease program; a program designed to provide easy access to prescription assistance information.
"We are delighted to be able to add another program to assist our seniors," stated Pam Pedrick, Executive Director of the Office on Aging. " We strive to find programs like GSPOPS that will help us bridge the gaps that exist in the current menu of plans and help even more people gain access to discount programs."
Kugler said that application forms will be available beginning July 1, 2003 on the county’s web site salemco.org and will also be available through the Office on Aging and throughout various other public locations throughout our county. County residents may also call GSPOPS directly at to obtain a form. After completing the application along with the required proof of residency and membership fee, members will receive a Prescription Savings Card by mail. Participants simply present this Prescription Savings Card to their pharmacy along with the prescriptions to be filled or refilled.
There is no limit on the number of prescriptions covered. There are no quantity limits; participates can receive as much medication as prescribed by their doctor. There are no deductibles to meet and other than the initial membership application, there are no forms to fill out. All brand name and generic drugs, that require a prescription under federal and state law, are included and there are no exclusions.
The Prescription Savings Card is accepted throughout an extensive network of over 1,700 participating chains and independent pharmacies in New Jersey and over 56,000 nationwide, including all 50 states and U.S. Territories.
"This Administration is looking at every opportunity available to improve the quality of life of our county residents and help them stabilize the rising costs of various health programs, especially prescription drugs," stated Kugler. "This Administration is committed to finding ways to ease the financial burden placed on our residents by aggressively exploring and acting upon programs such as GSPOPS." The County is also exploring the possibility of extending the program to all county residents in the coming months.
Earlier this year the county changed administration of their employee prescription drug program in order to save costs in this arena as well. This transition was seamless for the employees and is expected to save approximately $50,000 per year.