$4 Prescriptions

It's been a pretty lazy Saturday afternoon. This morning I went to the bank to deposit my last paycheck, and to this point that's been the most productive thing that I've done today.

It's a bit damp and chilly out, so like every good American I plopped down on the couch and got sucked into some numbing television. After flipping through the channels for a bit I decided to watch the 1995 remake of Sabrina starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.

I ended up not paying too much attention to the film and I started to doze off. I awoke during a commercial break just as the most recent assault form Wal-Mart's advertising desk was airing a commercial.

Like all Wal-Mart commercials, a certain air of wholesomeness, community, and good feelings was exhibited, though this is of course far from reality. This new commercial propaganda exclaimed that the sick can now get their much needed prescriptions drugs at their local Wal-Mart pharmacy for the cheap low price of $4.

That's all great and dandy, but is it really a reality?
First off, the plan only covers certain generic prescriptions drugs. The customer needs to fill out the initial prescription at the local Wal-Mart pharmacy and then the plan goes into effect. The plan claims to cover over 360 types of drugs.

However, like much of the policies behind Wal-Mart, the reality is that 360 generic drugs at $4 is not all that impressive. Many of the drugs on the list can be obtained at other pharmacies for a similar price, minus the selling of your soul.

Second, Wal-Mart's plan aims to paint the company as a benevolent chain that is out to aid consumers and help the average citizen. If the company really wanted to help stretched thin consumers, then this $4 prescription program would include non-generic drugs that are much more expensive and are the real cause of high health care costs.

In the end it's all just a ploy for Wal-Mart to paint itself in good light and bring in more customers.

It's all about the money. Always.