Prescription drug discount cards, like this one available at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt., gives the purchaser an average discount of 20 percent on prescription medications.

Relief is available for Douglas County residents who don’t have prescription drug insurance.

A new card can be obtained that will allow the purchase of prescriptions at a discount that averages about 20 percent. The card is free, and there is no enrollment fee. The card is honored by nearly 30 pharmacies in Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, Tonganoxie and Wellsville.

The card is being touted by the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition, based in Topeka. It was a project of the National Association of Counties (NACO) working with CVS Carmark. The health foundation contacted Douglas County officials about the card.

“Our perception is that this is an immediate payback for the people of Douglas County,” said Corrie Edwards, the coalition’s executive director. “It’s a win-win for the county and a win-win for the consumers.”

County Administrator Craig Weinaug said that when he was told about the card he turned the matter over to Assistant County Administrator Pam Madl. Madl applied through NACO to get the cards.

“It was one of those things that didn’t involve any expenditure of county funds,” Weinaug said.

In mid-December, the cards were placed for pickup in the south lobby of the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt. They are in a wire rack where various informational brochures can be found.

“We thought that was a place where a lot of people go and they (library officials) were willing to distribute it,” Edwards said. “You just pick up the card and go use it.”

In addition to people who don’t have drug insurance, the card can be used by those who are having a temporary lapse of coverage. In addition to prescription drugs, the card can be used to get discounts on some diabetic supplies.

For more information about the cards go online to https://naco.advancerx.com, or call (877) 321-2652.

The card already has been used in several Kansas counties, including Franklin, Jefferson, Johnson and Wyandotte. The health coalition will be encouraging other counties to make the cards available, Edwards said.

“Part of what we are all about is making sure that people have access to the services they need, and we see a real gap in prescription drug coverage,” she said.