National League of Cities Gives Some Perks to Murrieta Residents

A program launched in 2009 designed to give Murrieta residents a discount on prescription drugs was used by 541 residents in 2010, city officials said.

Total savings by residents were $26,210, said Nancy Driggers, assistant to the City Manager.

"It does show that the program is successful; $26,000 is a lot of money," Driggers said.

The card is available to all residents, and gives them a 20 percent discount on prescriptions not covered by their health insurance. It is accepted at most area pharmarcies, including Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, CVS, Rite-Aid, Vons and Ralphs.

"I think there are a lot of folks out there who aren't aware that the card is available; there are folks out there who could benefit," Driggers said.

The City pays no fee to belong to the Prescription Drug Discount Program, which is offered as a partnership between the National League of Cities and CVS Caremark.  Because the City is a member of the National League of Cities, its residents get free access to the card.

The City pays $22,172 annually to be a member of the league, which City Council recently agreed to stay in despite some councilmembers saying the league did not come to its aid with Measures C, D and E.

Councilman Doug McAllister said the discount to residents was one of his main reasons for voting to stay in the National League of Cities.

McAllister serves as the vice president of the Riverside County Division of the California League of Cities, which is part of the National League of Cities. Additionally, Mayor Randon Lane was appointed to a committee on the National League of Cities.

Residents can print a prescription discount card and see a full list of particpating pharmacies by going to Caremark.com/nlc.