Liberty County is joining the Coast2Coast Rx card program. Once launched, the new card will allow all county residents, regardless of income, age or health status, to participate in the program and save on the cost of their medications. This program saved cardholders throughout the nation an average of 55 percent on the cost of prescription drugs in 2011. Pets and other people living outside the county are able to take part in the program.

The card will be distributed free of charge and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in Liberty County and includes more than 60,000 drugs in its formulary.

“With health-care costs on the rise, prescription-drug discounts will help ease some of the financial burdens individuals and families are facing at a time when they need it the most,” county commission Chairman John D. McIver said. “There are no eligibility requirements so the Rx card is expected to have a sizeable impact on uninsured residents or residents facing high insurance deductibles. If a particular drug isn’t covered under a person’s health plan, they can use the card to save on those prescriptions.”

Providing savings for residents through the Rx program will come at no expense to the county. Coast2Coast Rx will pay the county a royalty of $1.25 per prescription, and the royalty does not increase cardholder cost. Besides the discount on prescriptions, the card also provides discounts on dental, vision, veterinary and hearing services, plus discounts on lab and imaging tests and diabetes supplies and equipment for all family members.

“We are pleased to work with the county to help individuals, their families and pets combat the rising cost of health care,” said Martin Dettelbach, chief marketing officer of Financial Marketing Concepts Inc., which issues the card.

“We appreciate all that the county and local pharmacies are doing to help those in need,” he added.

The card will be available for residents at most participating pharmacies, government offices, libraries and county health facilities. Residents also will be able to print the card and view the nearest participating locations at www.coast2coastrx.com.