Release #052-97

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972,
Shonna Keogan (212) 487-4283 (DCA) or Pat Cohen (212) 487-4272 (DCA)

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Jose Maldonado and Department for the Aging Commissioner (DFTA) Herbert W. Stupp advised New Yorkers to shop around and save on prescription drugs by arming themselves with the most recent DCA Adult and Senior Prescription Drug Price Surveys. The survey results were released today at Flushing's Woolworth Pharmacy, which the survey found to be the least expensive for senior prescription drugs of all stores surveyed.

"DCA's annual survey is extremely useful to consumers because it demonstrates that New Yorkers can save a considerable amount by choosing one drug store over another -- even in the same neighborhood," Mayor Giuliani said. "For example, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the standard quantity of the blood thinner Coumadin sold for $21.88 at Duane Reade, located at 1279 Third Avenue. But just across the street at 1282 Third Avenue, Block Pharmacy was selling the same medication for $89.85 -- 311% more expensive than its neighbor."

For the third consecutive year, Consumer Affairs inspectors conducted a citywide survey of 112 pharmacies detailing citywide and borough average prices for "market baskets" made up of brand name drugs frequently prescribed to adults and seniors. The survey also lists average prices of the brand name drugs, as well as average prices of several popular generic drugs. The 1997 survey reflects the list prices of prescription drugs that were culled from the "blue" signs that pharmacies are required to post near each store's prescription counter.

Commissioner Maldonado said, "Even the most savvy consumers have a hard time comparison shopping with prescription drugs. Unlike over-the-counter medication -- which is openly displayed and priced -- prescription drugs are less accessible and shoppers can feel uncomfortable requesting information before filling a prescription. The Annual Survey compares prices for 18-20 commonly prescribed prescription drugs, providing shoppers with important knowledge to make purchasing necessary medication more affordable."

As in the past, the survey revealed that consumers saved by using generic drugs instead of brand name pharmaceuticals to fill a prescription.

"Significant price gaps exist between brand name medications and their generic counterparts. Some brand name drugs can cost consumers three to four times more than for the equivalent non-name brand medications. For example, the high blood pressure medication Dalan sold for $39.89 at Duane Reade, located at 2465 Broadway in Manhattan, while its generic counterpart, Verpamil, sold at the same store for only $9.39 -- a difference of $30.50 or 325%," Commissioner Maldonado said.

"Many consumers are not aware that they can request a generic substitute for a brand name drug if the doctor does not write 'DAW' or Dispense as Written on the prescription," Commissioner Maldonado added. "If a pharmacist does not carry a specific generic drug, they must inform you if it is simply out of stock or not carried by the store."

For the third year in a row, Queens was found to be the least expensive borough for prescription drug purchases with an average market basket price of $633.95 for 20 adult drugs and $599.88 for 18 senior drugs, while Manhattan consumers could expect to pay an average of $692.23 and $661.06, respectively, for the same products.

"It's no coincidence that Queens has both the highest senior population of all boroughs in New York City as well as the most consistently affordable prescription drug prices," said DFTA Commissioner Herbert W. Stupp. "The results of this survey will help older New Yorkers to become even smarter shoppers. I hope seniors all over New York City will use this survey as a benchmark of what they should be paying for prescription drugs to ensure they're getting the best prices possible."

The "market basket" was calculated by Consumer Affairs investigators who visited each of the 112 pharmacies, surveying how much it would cost to buy all the name-brand drugs on the pre-determined list. A consumer purchasing the entire market basket would pay $659.97 for adult drugs and $626.31 for senior drugs, based on the citywide average. However, the cost went as high as $1,577.00 for adult drugs and $1,507.30 for senior drugs at Block Pharmacy, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, and as low as $539.24 for adult drugs at Mill Rue in Ridgewood, Queens and $518.72 for senior drugs at the Flushing-based Woolworth's Pharmacy.