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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />OCTOBER 3, 2011 <br />TITLE: <br />AGREEMENT WITH INFORMED RX TO <br />PROVIDE A DISCOUNT PHARMACY CARD <br />PROGRAM <br />CITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />? As Recommended <br />? As Amended <br />? Ordinance on 1" Reading <br />? Ordinance on 2I'd Reading <br />? Implementing Resolution <br />? Set Public Hearing For_ <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Authorize the City Manager and Clerk of the Council to execute the attached agreement with <br />Informed Rx to provide a discount pharmacy card program for the City of Santa Ana for a two-year <br />period, subject to non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The growing cost of medical care is one of our nation's most pressing social, medical and <br />economic challenges. Millions of Americans struggle to afford the medications they need, <br />frequently forgoing them due to price. While the focus is often on senior citizens, the high cost of <br />prescription drugs is a daunting challenge for Americans of all ages, particularly those who are <br />uninsured. A half-million Orange County residents lack health insurance, according to a U.S. <br />Census Bureau survey released in September 2009. The US Census Bureau estimates that 32.7% <br />of Santa Ana's 357,000 residents are uninsured. <br />Through this agreement Informed Rx will develop and maintain a comprehensive pharmacy <br />network to consistently deliver discounted prescription drug services to individuals and families that <br />participate in the program. The objectives of the program are to 1) save community members <br />money on medications, and 2) provide an additional revenue source for the City that will be used to <br />discount health and fitness related classes at our recreation centers. The program primarily <br />benefits those with no other form of health insurance. All funds needed to support the program will <br />come from the pharmaceutical industry. No City funds will be used to support the program and no <br />City staff will be used to run the program. <br />The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency presented the Discount Pharmacy Card <br />program to the Board of Recreation and Parks on March 23, 2011, and the Parks, Recreation, <br />Education and Youth (PREY) Council Committee on March 31, 2011 and both the Board and the <br />Committee recommended approval of the proposed program. The City Council approved the <br />release of the RFP on April 4, 2011. <br />25D-1