News April 2007
Mexican Wal-Mart Launches Cheap Generic Drugs
Mexico's leading retailer Wal-Mart de Mexico, or Walmex, has launched
a line of 150 cheap generic drugs, selling for no more than $3.50,
in a new bid to boost its appeal as a one-stop shop for clients
looking for low prices.
Walmex's <WALMEXV.MX> Medi-Mark generics line started selling
last week at the retailer's supermarket chains.
The low-priced drugs include everyday staples like pain and fever
reliever paracetamol, as well as more complex medicines such as
cafergot, used for migraine treatment.
Some of the medicines, which are being manufactured by different
laboratories, will cost 90 percent less than the leading over-the-counter
brand, according to an industry source.
The Medi-Mark brand will be permanent and is not a trial program,
the source told Reuters.
Some of the laboratories selling medicines to Walmex belong to
Canifarma, which groups more than 150 drug manufacturers.
Walmex and Canifarma were not available for comment.
This week, Wal-Mart said its $4 prescriptions now account for more
than 35 percent of all prescriptions filled at the company's stores.
Source: Reuters
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