Floridians can compare drug prices on new Web site

The site, set up by the state, allows consumers to compare prices by county, city or ZIP code.

By TIMES STAFF
Published June 1, 2005

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TALLAHASSEE - A new state Web site launched today allows consumers to compare prices of the 50 most popular prescription drugs.

"For many Floridians, prescription drugs make up a significant part of the family budget," said Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist in a statement announcing the new service. "By arming consumers with valuable prescription drug pricing information, we will not only help consumers save money, we'll also encourage healthy competition."

Consumers can compare prices for drugs by county, city or ZIP code. The prices can differsignificantly. For example, 30 tablets of 40 mg Lipitor at 72 pharmacies in Tampa ranged from $102.48 to $166.42, according to the Web site.

The Web site, www.MyFloridaRx.com provides the retail price for people without insurance or prescription drug discounts.

The Legislature last year passed a law, sponsored by Rep. Frank Farkas, R-St. Petersburg, requiring the state launch the Web site. It took a year of development by the Agency for Health Care Administration and the attorney general's office, which prosecutes Medicaid fraud.

See tomorrow's Times or sptimes.com for the full report.