University of Minnesota/University of Puerto Rico: Practice Based Learning Collaborative: Consumers Union Begins Free Distribution of Best Buy Drug Reports to Seniors, Uninsured to Help Them Lower Medical Costs

March 9, 2005

Consumers Union Begins Free Distribution of Best Buy Drug Reports to Seniors, Uninsured to Help Them Lower Medical Costs

3/9/2005 10:52:00 AM

To: National Desk, Health Reporter

Contact: Susan Herold of Consumers Union, 202-462-6262, Grace Trimble of the Atlanta Regional Commission, 404-463-3192

ATLANTA, March 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Atlanta area residents will be the first to participate in a nationwide outreach effort by Consumers Union to put easy-to-understand information about the effectiveness, safety and price of prescription drugs in the hands of seniors, low-income residents and the uninsured to help them navigate the confusing prescription drug marketplace and get the best value for their health-care dollar.

"Our goal is to get unbiased information on prescription drugs into the hands of millions of consumers, and Atlanta is the starting point for that," said Gail Shearer, project director of Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs. "Only when consumers and doctors have independent information on the effectiveness, safety and price of medicines will we see real change in the prescription drug marketplace. We hope to level the playing field for consumers who are confused by all the advertisements for prescription drugs."