Walmart greatest company in history?

[bugman]

Wal-Mart Unveils New Drug Program
This article was published on Thursday, September 21, 2006 11:20 PM CDT in News
By Anita French
The Morning News

* Email this story
* Print this story
* Comment on this story

Wal-Mart is applying its famous price rollback strategy to health care by announcing it will make nearly 300 generic drugs available to customers and employees for only $4 per prescription.

Wal-Mart officials announced the news Thursday at a live conference in Tampa, Fla., attended by Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

Some analysts said it was not just altruism but a smart business move on Wal-Mart's part, while union groups criticized the new drug program as a cosmetic fix.

The world's largest retailer said it is launching its new drug program today to customers and employees at 65 Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sam's Club pharmacies in the Tampa Bay area and will expand it to the entire state by January.

The company said it hopes to extend the program to as many states as possible next year.

"Each day in our pharmacies we see customers struggle with the cost of prescription drugs," said Wal-Mart President and CEO Lee Scott in a news release. "By cutting the cost of many generics to $4, we are helping to ensure that our customers and associates get the medicine they need at a price they can afford."
*

The $4 pricing will be available to all pharmacy customers with a 30-day prescription from a doctor that can be filled with a covered generic medicine. The program also will be available to the uninsured, Wal-Mart said.

A list of the 291 generic drugs available for $4 will be posted at walmartfacts.com, said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sarah Clark. Two of the ones cited by Bill Simon, executive vice president with Wal-Mart, were Lisinopril for high blood pressure and Metformin for diabetes.

"Lisinopril at $4 is a 67 percent savings from the previous average generic price. Metformin for $4 represents a nearly 50 percent savings from the cost of the brand name version of the drug. What we're doing today will mean real savings on prescriptions," Simon said during a teleconference.

Those customers who are required by an insurance company to pay a higher co-pay for drugs will still only be charged $4, he said.

Simon said 84 percent of American families already shop at Wal-Mart every year, so the company's aim in lowering prescription costs is not to bring more people into its stores but provide affordable drugs.

But retail analyst Patricia Edwards, of Wentworth, Hauser and Violich in Seattle, said Wal-Mart's move was still a "brilliant business strategy."

"For one thing, it increases store traffic. Most people fill all of their prescriptions at one place, so Wal-Mart not only gets generic drug (prescriptions) but also branded. At $4, they're probably breaking even, but they still have their regular margins on branded prescriptions. And what do you do while waiting for your prescription to be filled? You shop and buy things at higher margins," she said.

Edwards said Wal-Mart's lowering drug costs will also help it in those urban areas where they are facing opposition to opening stores. Some of that opposition has come from Democrats, but at least one, Nelson, praised the company for its lowering drug costs.

"Fifty bucks for a year's supply of prescription drugs is a pretty darn good deal for consumers," he said in the news release. "Because Wal-Mart has the ability to shape the market, maybe other retailers will follow suit."

In fact, retailers will have to follow Wal-Mart's lead, Edwards said, if they want to compete.

"The big margins have been on generics, and that's why Wal-Mart is doing this. If you're Walgreens, you can't let this go unanswered," she said.

Richard Hastings, senior retail analyst with Bernard Sands in New York, called Wal-Mart's move a "bold leap" and said it is bound to have an impact on the U.S. economy.

"Their ability to leverage their big volume purchasing capability with vendors is reflected in lower-than-market unit costs which turn into lower prices for their shoppers, and this is no exception to that rule. From an earnings perspective, this should be a neutral event. It could improve customer loyalty and foot traffic trends over the long term. The key is to get them in, and keep them shopping in other departments. We'll wait and see if this works, but it will take up to two years to know if this has helped with cross-departmental traffic and conversion," he said.

Two of Wal-Mart's most vocal critics were unimpressed with the company's new drug program. Paul Blank of Wake-Up Wal-Mart in Washington said in an e-mail statement that, while lowering prescription drug costs is good news, "Wal-Mart cruelly ignores the fact that it fails to provide company health care to over half of its employees, which leaves 46 percent of its workers' children uninsured or on public health care."

Wal-Mart Watch spokesman Andrew Grossman dismissed the company's action as a "marketing spin," and said Wal-Mart should overhaul its own health care plan for employees.

[habbywall]

This doesn't make them good.
They are still bad.

[yoopers]

This doesn't make them good.
They are still bad.
Have I mentioned their chicken tenders?

[habbywall]

Have I mentioned their chicken tenders?

Have I mentioned there couple thousand below poverty line full time employment rates. I don't care who you are, I don't think good chicken tenders make up for outsourcing tons of jobs and not letting people like a decent life.

[Stryder]

I don't think pharmisuiticals makes wal-mart great, but I voted great anyway just to offset all the liberals who hate capitalism.



Have I mentioned there couple thousand below poverty line full time employment rates. I don't care who you are, I don't think good chicken tenders make up for outsourcing tons of jobs and not letting people like a decent life.
Here's an idea... DON'T WORK THERE! :)

[vuniw]

walmart is the best

[ThisGuyIKnow]

Here's an idea... DON'T WORK THERE! :)

If only it were that simple.

[Spudman]

Why has everyone voted yes in the poll? Maybe wally world really is the greatest!


(I voted yes too.... :o)

[vuniw]

walmart is great for customers, not for employees

[James_Potter]

Here's an idea... DON'T WORK THERE! :)
Try telling that to those who work in sweatshops getting paid less than minimum wage and can't get a better job.

[jsm]

We're the greatest. We're taking over!

[BillyTheMountain]

walmart is great for customers, not for employees

Bugman has already explained in other threads why Wal-Mart is also bad for the towns they come to, hence bad for the customers.

I don't think pharmisuiticals makes wal-mart great, but I voted great anyway just to offset all the liberals who hate capitalism.

Liberals love capitolism, which is why progressives and radicals don't like liberals. Of course, it's just too many misinformed people like you that put Bush in office, even after he put the USA and the world in harms way by invading Iraq--a move even conservatives agree made the world more dangerous and increased threat to the USA.

Headlines: Terrorists praise Bush for creating breeding ground for terrorism in Iraq.

[yoopers]

Have I mentioned there couple thousand below poverty line full time employment rates. I don't care who you are, I don't think good chicken tenders make up for outsourcing tons of jobs and not letting people like a decent life.
Oh I disagree. When eating a chicken tender, all other worries just melt away.

[rare forum rant]Not letting people have a decent life? Since when does Wal-Mart owe anyone anything? They are in business for one reason only, to make money. If you don't like the way they do business, start your own company and do it differently.

As has hopefully been stated over in the 'other' thread, no one is owed a job. It is a privilege to be employed. Life is tough! If you would like a better job than working at Wal-Mart, quit whining, quit being lazy and make it happen. On the other hand, if you want to make a particular type of bed, be prepared to sleep in it. I have always been an 'at will' employee. That simply means that my company can dispose of me anytime it likes if its good for the company...and that has happened three times now in the last four years. The responsibility for working and the ability to work a particular type of job is up to only one person. Take a wild guess who that is. [/rare forum rant]

[habbywall]

Oh I disagree. When eating a chicken tender, all other worries just melt away.

[rare forum rant]Not letting people have a decent life? Since when does Wal-Mart owe anyone anything? They are in business for one reason only, to make money. If you don't like the way they do business, start your own company and do it differently.

As has hopefully been stated over in the 'other' thread, no one is owed a job. It is a privilege to be employed. Life is tough! If you would like a better job than working at Wal-Mart, quit whining, quit being lazy and make it happen. On the other hand, if you want to make a particular type of bed, be prepared to sleep in it. I have always been an 'at will' employee. That simply means that my company can dispose of me anytime it likes if its good for the company...and that has happened three times now in the last four years. The responsibility for working and the ability to work a particular type of job is up to only one person. Take a wild guess who that is. [/rare forum rant]

So you don't think it is their job to make sure that their employees are well enough payed to live? Someone should call the BBB.

[yoopers]

So you don't think it is their job to make sure that their employees are well enough payed to live? Someone should call the BBB.
Nope! If you don't agree with their offer of employment, don't accept it. They don't owe you anything. Deciding on what level is "well enough payed to live" is up to Congress, not Wal-Mart. Maybe you should redirect your arrows.

[BillyTheMountain]

Nope! If you don't agree with their offer of employment, don't accept it. They don't owe you anything. Deciding on what level is "well enough payed to live" is up to Congress, not Wal-Mart. Maybe you should redirect your arrows.

Wal-Mart spends LOTS to lobby Congress to keep the minimum wage LOW.

Under AWOL Bush, the poor got poorer, and the wealthy fraction of 1% got much wealthier.

And more Americans died in a poorly executed poorly planned invasion, both as soldiers and as Haliburton civilian employees.

[iridemymuni]

so are you saying that rich people aren't allowed to get richer?

[yoopers]

Wal-Mart spends LOTS to lobby Congress to keep the minimum wage LOW.
So? Evidently they feel it's money well spent. Minimum wage is still not Wal-Mart's decision. Once again, Wal-Mart is in business to make money. If you don't like their employment offer, should you be privileged enough to receive one, pass it up and move on.

Billy, congrats on your Wal-Mart job! You must have been good enough for them. :)

[BillyTheMountain]

and in the deep South, they said he had the privelege of working as a slave on the plantation.

For many there is no choice. Poverty lives in your nation. Shame.

[yoopers]

and in the deep South, they said he had the privelege of working as a slave on the plantation.

For many there is no choice. Poverty lives in your nation. Shame.
I agree, slaves didn't have choices. But if you hadn't noticed, slavery has been abolished. We have the freedom to choose nowadays. Yes, poverty lives, but we still have choices. History and Readers Digest are replete with examples of those who chose to rise above their circumstances and make a better life for themselves. If it weren't for choices and a sense of responsibilty, sacrifice and hard work, these fine folks would still be living in their poverty.

By the way, I lived deep in Appalachia once upon a lifetime. I've seen extreme poverty first hand. It's no picnic!

[BillyTheMountain]

Not everybody can afford to choose. People get hungry, get homeless.

[iridemymuni]

Not everybody can afford to choose. People get hungry, get homeless.

well then isn't it nice of wal-mart to give them some jobs?

[yoopers]

Not everybody can afford to choose. People get hungry, get homeless.
Hmmm...choice has always been free in my book. Hungry and homeless is tough but it doesn't prevent one from making a choice.

[Stryder]

Wal-Mart spends LOTS to lobby Congress to keep the minimum wage LOW.


minimum wage is stupid anyway, the government has no right to tell people what to pay people.

[Stryder]

Of course, it's just too many misinformed people like you that put Bush in office, even after he put the USA and the world in harms way by invading Iraq--a move even conservatives agree made the world more dangerous and increased threat to the USA.

Do you really mean to tell me that you would rather have Saddam in power, gasing thousands of his own people and doing who knows what else???

[timbob1907]

well its better than Microsoft, but that isn't saying much...in fact that isnt saying anything... at all

[monkeyman]

minimum wage is stupid anyway, the government has no right to tell people what to pay people.

Do you really mean to tell me that you would rather have Saddam in power, gasing thousands of his own people and doing who knows what else???

If the government doesn't even have the right to tell it's own businesses how to pay people, how can you justify going across the world into another country to ensure that it's citizens are treated properly? I know living, and getting paid enough are two very different things, but how do we have the right to just go overthrow a government by ourselves because it's morally wrong?

Those two arguments don't seem to fit together well at all.

[Seager]

This thread has already been done.

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52945

[bugman]

This thread has already been done.

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52945

If you hadn't noticed, in JC we do threads over and over. With a different twist each time. The must important thing though is that in every thread we take the time to Blame Bush for every one of the worlds problems. Doesn't matter if the problem has existed as far back as the 1800's or in some cases over 2,000 years ago. It is all Bushes Fault. It is called the Bush Derangement Syndrome. No matter what happens it is apporpriate to Blame Bush.

Bush allowed the creation of Walmart, he determined who would work there, and not only how much they got payed, but all of their benefits. Bush was paid off by Sam Walton before he was President, and Sam was still alive to allow people to work at starvation and slave wages. Of course many of these employees have multiple cell phones, computers with internet, and big screen TV's in their homes. Yet they can't afford insurance or food. Shame on Bush for allowing this to occur. I'm embarrased to live in a country that would allow such a person to be the President. It is your duty as an American to stand up and let the world know that you hate Bush.

[BillyTheMountain]

Do you really mean to tell me that you would rather have Saddam in power, gasing thousands of his own people and doing who knows what else???

Definitely not.

Recall that Saddam was an friend and ALLY of the USA when he gassed the Kurds.

That's how it goes. AWOL George W Bush just honored another murderous dictator this week with a state dinner. The guy's got oil, of course.

Or we could invade other nations run by vicious dictators. In some cases we could do so to stop genocide. But it seems we don;t do that anymore.

And everyone Bush created a breeding ground for terrorists in Iraq, while under Saddam, terrorism did not thrive in Iraq.

[dudewithasock]

If you hadn't noticed, in JC we do threads over and over. With a different twist each time. The must important thing though is that in every thread we take the time to Blame Bush for every one of the worlds problems. Doesn't matter if the problem has existed as far back as the 1800's or in some cases over 2,000 years ago. It is all Bushes Fault. It is called the Bush Derangement Syndrome. No matter what happens it is apporpriate to Blame Bush.

Bush allowed the creation of Walmart, he determined who would work there, and not only how much they got payed, but all of their benefits. Bush was paid off by Sam Walton before he was President, and Sam was still alive to allow people to work at starvation and slave wages. Of course many of these employees have multiple cell phones, computers with internet, and big screen TV's in their homes. Yet they can't afford insurance or food. Shame on Bush for allowing this to occur. I'm embarrased to live in a country that would allow such a person to be the President. It is your duty as an American to stand up and let the world know that you hate Bush.

http://www.clicksmilies.com/auswahl/lachen001.gif

I'm not understanding all the hate against Wal-Mart. I don't really believe anyone is truly altruistic, so the excuse of "but they're putting people below the poverty line" or whatnot is kinda pointless and stupid, IMNSHO. They offer us, the working middle / lower-middle class (which are the financial statuses I'm assuming the bulk of us here at unicyclist.com represent), quality goods at affordable prices.

What's not to like?

[ThisGuyIKnow]

quality goods at affordable prices.

They aren't exactly quality goods.

[dudewithasock]

They aren't exactly quality goods.

Well this obviously isn't a universal thing then, because I'm always satisfied with what I buy from Wal-mart. But I can see where you might be coming from if the Wal-mart in your particular neck of the woods doesn't sell grade A products.

[Tellurider]

If you hadn't noticed, in JC we do threads over and over. With a different twist each time. The must important thing though is that in every thread we take the time to Blame Bush for every one of the worlds problems. Doesn't matter if the problem has existed as far back as the 1800's or in some cases over 2,000 years ago. It is all Bushes Fault. It is called the Bush Derangement Syndrome. No matter what happens it is apporpriate to Blame Bush.

Bush allowed the creation of Walmart, he determined who would work there, and not only how much they got payed, but all of their benefits. Bush was paid off by Sam Walton before he was President, and Sam was still alive to allow people to work at starvation and slave wages. Of course many of these employees have multiple cell phones, computers with internet, and big screen TV's in their homes. Yet they can't afford insurance or food. Shame on Bush for allowing this to occur. I'm embarrased to live in a country that would allow such a person to be the President. It is your duty as an American to stand up and let the world know that you hate Bush.

Boo Hoo Bugman are people picking on your guy Bush again. I would have to say you are the one suffering from derangement I read through every post in this thread and the only thing said about Bush is that he started the war in Iraq and you have to admit that's true. or is that just another liberal conspiracy?

[Seager]

http://www.clicksmilies.com/auswahl/lachen001.gif

I'm not understanding all the hate against Wal-Mart. I don't really believe anyone is truly altruistic, so the excuse of "but they're putting people below the poverty line" or whatnot is kinda pointless and stupid, IMNSHO. They offer us, the working middle / lower-middle class (which are the financial statuses I'm assuming the bulk of us here at unicyclist.com represent), quality goods at affordable prices.

What's not to like?

Read this thread and you'll get the answer: http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52945

Bugman, just because walmart lost in one thread is no reason to try to have a rematch. Let the subject die. Also, it's a bit of a strawman to claim that all of us who dislike walmart do so because of bush. I have plenty of solid, logical reasons for disliking walmart that myself and others have stated very clearly, without mentioning bush, in the already existing thread.

[dudewithasock]

Read this thread and you'll get the answer: http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52945


I feel sorry for the guy who started that thread...he was just bragging about buying school supplies, and it turned into a debate. :(

[bugman]

Read this thread and you'll get the answer: http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52945

Bugman, just because walmart lost in one thread is no reason to try to have a rematch. Let the subject die. Also, it's a bit of a strawman to claim that all of us who dislike walmart do so because of bush. I have plenty of solid, logical reasons for disliking walmart that myself and others have stated very clearly, without mentioning bush, in the already existing thread.

Dude, have you ever read one post by me on my opinions of Walmart?

[bugman]

Boo Hoo Bugman are people picking on your guy Bush again. I would have to say you are the one suffering from derangement I read through every post in this thread and the only thing said about Bush is that he started the war in Iraq and you have to admit that's true. or is that just another liberal conspiracy?

I don't think so, not again. Don't just read this thread, read them all. I am not a fan of Bush, but I don't bash him at every opportunity. I am able to admit that he has policy faults, but I am also of the belief that he has kept terrorists from attacking in the US since 9/11/2001. Can anyone say he hasn't?

[jake_amos]

we don't have wal-mart in the land of Oz (no not that prison from T.V.)

[mawesome]

I think Big W might be the Australian wing of Wal-Mart. I'm not sure, but it does seem likely... to me, anyway.

[jake_amos]

nah i dunno coz supposedly wal-mart has EVERYTHING but maybe i dunno

[Seager]

Dude, have you ever read one post by me on my opinions of Walmart?

I got the impression from the original post in this thread that you were pretty in favor of walmart. I'm not sure how anyone wouldn't, but if I was wrong in assuming so I apologize. The internet is ripe with misunderstandings.

[tumblebug rollin]

In rural America Wal Mart is closing down many of the smaller stores which have been open 20 or more years. Guess what's left in any particular community.

[Tellurider]

I don't think so, not again. Don't just read this thread, read them all. I am not a fan of Bush, but I don't bash him at every opportunity. I am able to admit that he has policy faults, but I am also of the belief that he has kept terrorists from attacking in the US since 9/11/2001. Can anyone say he hasn't?


Not a fan? Then what was that rant about? I guess I understand now. Bad things, not his fault. Good things like no terrorist attacks, his good work.

[StaggerLee]

walmart is crap!!!! They sell turds TO turds........

[UniBrier]

Minimum wage is still not Wal-Mart's decision.

Turns out the ultimate decision on minimum wage is the State's (http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm).

160,000 people, 5% of Washington State's workforce, is at minimum wage. 40% of those are restaurant workers and they can get tips. (http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=bizbriefs30&date=20060930&query=minimum) I'm sure Walmart doesn't employ the full other 96,000, I might be wrong because I can count the total times I've been to a Walmart on one, possilbly two, hands.

[bugman]

In rural America Wal Mart is closing down many of the smaller stores which have been open 20 or more years. Guess what's left in any particular community.

How does this impact a small town?

Radio stations and newspapers that survived on ad revenue from smaller businesses are unable to create ad revenue. So they go out of business.

The supply chain of businesses that supported these small businesses go out of business.

All the people that used to work at these companies that pay decent wages, and provide health insurance are now gone, replaced by the lower wage no healthcare jobs available at Walmart.

Now Walmart is going into the retail gas business, grocery, and even trying to get into banking. Only one employer/supplier in the country.

[Andy912912]

I know this has nothing to do with the rest of the thread...I had a dream I got a Torker DX for $40 at Walmart...thrown around on a rack besides the bikes, 'cause no one rides...except it had a white wheel. Wouldn't it be awesome to get your next unicycle there? I just don't like ordering stuff off of the Internet. :p So...err...thank goodness you can't stone anyone over the Internet...unless you send them a pre-winded jack-in-the-box with a rock...PLEASE DON'T DO THAT!

[Tomahawk]

WALMART is the greatest store on earth!!! Where else can u buy a $7 machette, a hamburger, and Slipknot CD at the same place???!!!

[dudewithasock]

Slipknot CD

Yeah, if you want it censored.

[Seager]

And if you want the machette to fall apart after the first hit...

And that's not beef in that hamburger...