CVS Drugstores, one of the largest national drugstore chains, announced it will sell 90-day supplies of more than 400 generic prescription drugs for $9.99. Wal-Mart started a similar program a few years ago. The $9.99 CVS offer is just a penny less than Wal-Mart's $10 charge for a 90-day supply. In order to get the $9.99 generic deal, customers must enroll in the program by paying an annual fee of $10.

These cut rate prices are a relief for consumers from rising health insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. Insurers and employers are pushing generic substitutes to save costs. However, many drugs are still available only in expensive, patented formulations, and even where generic substitutes are available, they don't work for everybody. People wonder why those drugs are so expensive.