Lampasas County is introducing a discount card program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. The county has signed a contract to make free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties that offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage. Three of the county's pharmacies will accept the NACo card, and a national network of more than 57,000 participating retail pharmacies also will honor it.

"The NACo prescription discount card will offer significant savings for the uninsured and underinsured residents of our county, and even those fortunate to have prescription coverage may use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan," said Dianne Seery, county judge's administrative assistant.

"Residents do not have to be Medicare beneficiaries to be eligible for this program."

There will be no cost to county taxpayers for NACo and Lampasas County to make the money-saving cards available to residents.

"Using the NACo prescription discount card is easy," said Ms. Seery. "A cardholder will simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use."

Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance."

Lampasas County will launch the program Monday to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs.

Cards will be available at various locations throughout Lampasas County. Residents may pick them up at the courthouse at the county judge's office, county offices at the Lampasas County Office Building, First Texas Bank, Family Medicine Clinic North on Key Avenue and Family Medicine Clinic on West Avenue E.

Residents may call toll-free for assistance to (877) 321-2562 or visit www.caremark.com/naco.