(RIALTO, Calif.)  Rialto residents are discovering a way to save an average of 20 cents on the dollar for prescription drugs purchased at CVS and other local pharmacies.

Anyone who lives in Rialto can simply pick up a Prescription Discount Card at any of Rialto’s participating pharmacies. The cards can also be printed from www.rialtoca.gov.

The resulting savings vary depending on pharmacy and prescription, but can be significant.

“I personally have used the Prescription Discount Card for a prescription to help someone in my family,” said Rialto City Council Member Deborah Robertson.  “The savings on that particular prescription were almost half.”

“Many of our clients need all the help they can get when purchasing prescriptions,” said Alton Quan, pharmacist at the 550 S. Riverside Ave. Wal-Greens. “The Pharmacy Discount Program offers them that help.”

Only one card is needed per family, which can use the card an unlimited number of times. There are no age or income requirements, and no enrollment or membership fees.

Robertson noted that sometimes, prescriptions help people prevent onset of a serious health problem. This card is part of a program the city has called “Healthy Rialto,” which is committed to giving city residents the tools they need to stay healthy.

“Prevention is so important to having a healthy city,” Robertson said. “We want to prevent illness from happening, and we want everyone to have affordable medications so they can get or stay healthy.”

Rialto offers this card through a program of the National League of Cities, which the league created with help from CVS Pharmacy. It is for families and individuals who do not have insurance providing prescription drug coverage.

Participating Rialto pharmacies include:

• CVS Pharmacy, 211 W. Baseline Road, (909) 874-8002
• Walgreen’s, 1280 W. Foothill (909) 879-0305, 118 E. Baseline Road, (909) 562-0267 or 550 S. Riverside Ave., (909) 874-6700.
• Wal-Mart Pharmacy, 1610 S. Riverside Ave., (909) 875-2131
• Rialto Vista Pharmacy, 436 S. Riverside Ave. (909) 875-7620
• Rite-Aid Pharmacy, 585 S. Riverside (909) 820-7474 or 2020 N. Riverside Ave. (909) 873-2835
• ABC Pharmacy, 826 E. Foothill Blvd. (909) 546-1000
• Foothill Pharmacy, 1850 N. Riverside Ste. 170, (909) 874-2385
• North Rialto Drug, 531 E. Foothill Blvd. (909) 875-2131

Additionally, the cards are available at the city’s Human Resources Office, 290 W. Rialto Ave.; its Utility Billing Office, 150 S. Palm Ave. and its Senior Center, 1411 S. Riverside Ave.

Residents may also call Rialto’s Human Resources Department at (909) 820-2540 and ask for Betty for more information, or call 1-888-620-1749.

Although the City of Rialto is located in the middle of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, it has retained a small town atmosphere and similar quality of life. Rialto is an ethnically diverse and progressive community, which boasts several unique community assets including its own police and fire departments, a city-owned racquet and fitness center, performing arts theater, a community center and senior center. Rialto is near mountains, beaches, deserts and other recreational areas.

Rialto’s housing mix and home costs are some of the most affordable in the southern California region. First-time homebuyers find Rialto more affordable than almost any other comparable community in the region. Executives and those seeking high-end homes also find they can purchase much more home for their money in Rialto. This lower cost of living in Rialto also translates into more discretionary income for residents, thus benefiting retailers and service providers.

For more information about Rialto, go to www.ci.rialto.ca.us or call (909) 820-2525.