SCHENECTADY COUNTY PROJECTS ADDITIONAL $4.2 MILLION IN SAVINGS IN 2010

In 2004, when the new Democratic majority took leadership of the county Legislature, they set out to implement new and progressive cost-saving reforms in healthcare. These reforms have succeeded beyond all expectations. Schenectady County was the first municipality in the State to enact a Canadian drug program that is now one of the most successful in the nation.

Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature, recently announced $4.2 million in projected savings in 2010 from a major expansion of Schenectady County’s innovative Canadian program. This will bring the County’s total savings to over $13.7 million for six years.

“Our Canadian drug program has been a huge success,” said Chair Savage. “Schenectady County’s savings in prescription drug costs have exceeded $9.4 million in our first five years utilizing the Canadian drug program. Expanding this highly successful program means that both taxpayers and employees will enjoy even bigger savings than in past years.”

County prescription drug costs have increased less than 8.9% over the past five years since the County began utilizing the Canadian drug program while the national average prescription drug program has seen prices escalate by more 76.2% over five years.

Savings have been achieved by increasing mail order of both Canadian and U.S. prescription drugs from less than 1% to nearly 60% of scripts. This huge increase allows the County to purchase brand-name medications at big discounts. With the new agreements approved earlier this year, Schenectady County will expand the program’s reach from 60% of employees to over 90% of employees.