At a press conference in front of CVS Pharmacy in Farmingdale, Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman announced the extension of the NassauRx Prescription Drug Discount.

"The extension guarantees that Nassau residents will continue to be able to use the NassauRx card to receive these substantial discounts," Weitzman said. "I am happy to announce the extension at this CVS branch, since more NassauRX prescriptions are filled at CVS drugstores than anywhere else."

According to Weitzman, over 60,000 users have saved more than $8 million since 2004.

"In 2007, more than 5,500 seniors saved over $700,000 with the card," he said. "The NassauRx card provides a great discount, averaging 24 percent, for those who do not have drug insurance - and the program costs taxpayers nothing."

Created by Weitzman's office three years ago, NassauRx is not an insurance product, but rather a free discount card available to all Nassau residents. There are no enrollment forms to fill out. The card can be helpful for persons of any age with inadequate health insurance.

NassauRx is administered by a pharmacy benefits manager under contract to Nassau, at no cost to the county or its taxpayers. It has inspired other municipalities throughout the United States to launch prescription discount card programs modeled after the Nassau program.

Bernard Schrank of Farmingdale was on hand to share his experience with the NassauRx card.

"I have HIP with a co-payment and was spending over $30 a month for a medicine," he said. "When I used the card the cost of the medication was a little over $15."

Approximately 40 percent of card users are over 65 years old, according to the latest numbers from Caremark, the program distributor.

When total drug costs of seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D exceed $2,400 per year, they hit the coverage gap commonly referred to as the doughnut hole. This is where the NassauRx card comes in.

"While insurance programs such as the Medicare Part D program are always preferable to any discount program, many program participants have complained about their doughnut hole," Weitzman added.

Weitzman was joined by Legislator Dave Mejias, a Farmingdale resident and chairperson of the Health Committee.

"Senior citizens are the greatest generation and they came here to form the first suburb - Levittown, and now they can't even afford to stay here," Mejias added. "Every little bit helps. Nassau County residents, especially our senior citizens, deserve a healthy, affordable quality of life and I am proud and pleased that we are able to offer this cost-saving card."

For cards or program information, call 1-877-321-2652 or visit https://nassaurx.advancerx.com. The site also allows consumers to check NassauRx prices for any drug covered under the plan. More information on NassauRx can be found on the Nassau County Comptroller's website, http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/comptroller/index.html.