Wegmans Food Markets has established a generic prescription drug program that will reduce the price of nearly 200 common prescriptions to $11.99 for a three-month supply.

The program offers a list of 100 prescriptions available in multiple levels of strength for chronic conditions.

"There is an efficiency of selling a 90-day supply verses refilling that prescription three times," Jo Natale, director of media relations for Wegmans, said.

Wegmans has been researching and discussing the implementation of this prescription program for a while, Natale said.

"The No. 1 reason is to save customers money," she said. "It lines up with our consistent low prices across the store."

University Health Services (UHS) Chief Pharmacist Barbara Gallagher said she does not think the university pharmacy will be affected by the change.

"Most of our students come here because it is more convenient, and they don't have transportation to get to Wegmans," Gallagher said.

Chris Hudson (junior-biology), a pharmacy technician at Wegmans, said the change will benefit many people.

"There a lot of people, especially older people, who can't afford their medications, because the prices are so high on a large number of medications," Hudson said.

Cutting drug prices, though it may seem detrimental to profit, will be made up for, Natale said.

"Our belief is that what we lose in gross profit we will make up in volume," Natale said.

An example of a drastic price cut is Lisinopril, a drug to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. The price used to be nearly $56 and is now $11.99 for 90-day supply, according to wegmans.com.

Customers who use drugs not currently offered at discounted prices may not have to wait long to save money, according to a press release. The release said the list "will evolve over time" and more drugs will be added.

Hudson hopes the program will make necessary medications more affordable. "There have been some customers who are so distraught about the prices of medications, that they simply say 'I just won't take them,' " he said. "In most cases, it is something they need to take. So this should help a lot of people and eliminate those kind of problems because that can be very dangerous."