Michigan's Searchable Prescription Price Web Site Expands To 150 Drugs

The Michigan Department of Community Health on Thursday announced that it will add the information on an additional 120 prescription drugs to a state-run Web site that allows consumers to search drug prices, the AP/Detroit News reports. Users can search the site -- michigandrugprices.com -- by ZIP code and pharmacy. The site previously had listed price information for 30 drugs. New features on the site will allow users to find driving directions to pharmacies and file complaints with the state when they find inaccurate information or suspect price gouging.

In May, state Attorney General Mike Cox (R) criticized the health department for excluding the 120 drugs from the site. Cox had conducted surveys that showed wide disparities in prices for the same drugs at pharmacies "just miles apart," the AP/News reports.

Health department Director Janet Olszewski said, "We believe the increased utility of the state's Web site will give citizens the access they deserve and the ability to save thousands of dollars on their prescription drugs per year." She added, "We want citizens to have the ability to report possible prescription drug pricing inaccuracies as soon as possible, since prescription drug prices can vary daily" (AP/Detroit News, 6/14).

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