$2 Gas, $4 Meds

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. expects to offer $4 prescriptions for some generic drugs in most states this year, after accelerating rollout of the low-cost program in Florida, the world's largest retailer said Thursday.

Wal-Mart launched the program last month in the Tampa area in what it called an effort to save working Americans money on health care. But critics said it was a stunt to draw in business and a grab for a bigger share of the drug business.

At the time, Wal-Mart said it would expand the Tampa test statewide by January and nationally next year.

But customer demand was strong and Florida officials asked for a faster rollout, Wal-Mart said. It announced the statewide program effective Friday at a news conference in Orlando, Fla., with executives and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Wal-Martalso is accelerating the national plan, said Bill Simon, executive vice president of Wal-Mart's professional services division.

It just doesn't get any better . . .