Minnesota consumers will be able to comparison shop prescription drug prices at more than 1,000 local pharmacies using a new feature unveiled today by Governor Tim Pawlenty on the state’s nation-leading prescription drug Web site.

The new feature, RxPrice Compare, provides clear, unbiased price information on about 200 of the most commonly prescribed medications and allows users to search on www.MinnesotaRxConnect.com for pharmacies by city, county or ZIP code.

“We have worked aggressively to provide Minnesotans with access to affordable prescription medicines,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Our latest tool puts more information directly in the hands of consumers so they can compare prices the way they do for other products. It’s one more way that individuals can take charge of their healthcare decisions.”

RxPrice Compare allows users to see prices offered at different pharmacies and between brand name and generic medications. Users can sort results by price, pharmacy, city and ZIP code, and get directions to pharmacies. Prices from pharmacies in cities bordering Minnesota, such as Fargo, are also included.

Prices listed are those paid by customers without insurance. The information is taken from claims submitted to the Department of Human Services by pharmacies enrolled as fee-for-service providers for state health care programs.

A second phase of the project, planned to be unveiled this fall, will allow pharmacies that are not enrolled to submit price information and will let enrolled providers update their information directly. Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Kevin Goodno said his department plans to work with pharmacies on the project.

“We know there are great price variations in the marketplace. Minnesota RxPrice Compare is an easy way for Minnesotans to compare local prices for prescription medicines,” Commissioner Goodno said. “The information will help people without coverage get prescription drugs at a lower cost.”

Other additions to the Minnesota RxConnect site announced today provide information on alternative prescription drugs that may be less expensive to buy in the United States. The site includes consumer information and links to other programs that might assist consumers in purchasing medications.

Since the state’s first-in-the-nation prescription drug website was launched in January 2004, more than 20,000 prescriptions have been filled through four Canadian pharmacies affiliated with the site. In June 2005, the site was expanded to include pharmacies in the United Kingdom that have relationships with the Canadian pharmacies.

Minnesota RxPrice Compare builds on current initiatives to provide more information so Minnesotans can take control of their own healthcare decisions:

· Governor Pawlenty’s Health Cabinet unveiled a new state website that provides consumers with information on health care costs and quality in Minnesota. The website – www.minnesotahealthinfo.org – makes it easier to find information about health care quality using objective and reliable sources of information.

· Minnesota leads the country in a collaborative approach between health plans, medical groups, physicians, patients, and employers working together through MN Community Measurement. The mission is to accelerate the improvement of health by publicly reporting health care information. Consumers find accurate, comparative details on the quality of care at Minnesota’s provider groups.

· An online tool is now available for Minnesota consumers to compare quality of life and resident satisfaction at the state’s 396 Medical Assistance certified nursing homes. The Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card is the first of its kind in the nation to provide objective data such as hours of direct care, staff turnover, proportion of single rooms and state inspection results on individual nursing homes. Each nursing home can receive one to five stars on each measure.