The city is making free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties that offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs, a city news release said.

The cards may be used by all O'ahu residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and are accepted by nearly all the island's pharmacies, the news release said.

In addition, a national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies, including many Neighbor Island pharmacies, will honor the NACo prescription discount card.

There is no cost to Honolulu taxpayers for the program, the release said.

Residents may also save on prescriptions for their pets, the release said.

If a pet is prescribed a medicine that is also used to treat human conditions, the pet owner may save by using the prescription discount card. Pet owners must ask a veterinarian to write a prescription and present it at a participating pharmacy, along with the prescription discount card, the release said.

The pet owner will pay either a discount price or the retail pharmacy's regular retail price, whichever is lower.

Cards are available at the City Council office at Honolulu Hale and at the City's 10 Satellite City Halls.

The discount card program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc.

Honolulu residents can get assistance with the program by:

Calling Caremark toll free 1-877-321-2652

Going online at www.caremark.com/naco

Information is also available at these city resources:

Visit www.honolulu.gov/council/index1.htm

Click on "What's New?" and select "Prescription Discount Card"

Call the City Council, 527-5700