NYPIRG Urges Lower Prescription Prices
Jun 21, 2004 6:39 am US/Eastern
(1010 WINS) (Albany) -- A new study finds large ranges in prices for commonly prescribed drugs.
The New York Public Interest Research Group surveyed 45 pharmacies and found some big price differences. For example, the price of the antibiotic Zithromax ranged from 41 to 98 dollars at different stores around the state. That's a 57 dollar difference.
NYPIRG says consumers could save a lot of money by comparison shopping if pricing information was more easily accessible. The group is urging the state Education Department to post pharmacy prices on its website.
Legislation to require such online price lists has been proposed in both the state Assembly and Senate. NYPIRG's Blair Horner says lawmakers should reject the efforts of pharmacies to block the bills.
