Walmart to Offer $4 Generic Prescriptions (A Think)

The New York Times is running an article this morning explaining that Walmart will begin offering generic prescriptions at $4 for a month's supply. The article states: "The Florida experiment with lower generic drug prices appears to mark the first time that Wal-Mart has used its unrivaled influence in the American economy to lower the cost of health care for its customers."

Lesson Ideas:
1. The article explains that Walmart is attributing its decision to charge such low prices to its ability to lower the prices of getting medicine from pharmaceutical companies to its store pharmacies. Ask students to consider how they think medicine gets from the site where it is produced to the local pharmacy. They might draw a diagram explaining the route. The complexity of this diagram will depend on the grade level and ability of students.
2. Many people have complained that Walmart does not treat their employees well. They have been accused of locking workers in their stores all night and paying low wages among other things. Ask students if they think that the price of a good should be the only determinant as to whether somebody should shop at a particular store? Encourage students to explain their thoughts.
3. Many people in the United States argue that health care is too expensive. Many countries, including Canada, provide health care for their citizens. Taxes in Canada are higher than taxes in the United States. Ask students if they think that the United States government should work to provide universal health care for all citizens. Ask them to consider the pros and cons of providing universal health care. (Students should consider the effects that they think universal health care would have on taxes, quality of service and compensation for medical professionals.) 4. In some countries doctors make great salaries. In other countries they do not. Ask students if they think that doctors should make high salaries. Ask students to make a list of five variables that they think should be considered when determining somebody's salary. You might have students create these lists in small groups and then reconvene as a class to discuss their lists. You might choose to have students develop these lists and rationales explaining the lists on a wiki. The goal of the class discussion might be to develop one wiki entry that everybody can agree with.

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