New State Prescription Discount Program Offers Savings Tool for Arizona Patients

November 6, 2025

AZRx provides free discount card for all Arizona residents, potentially reducing medication costs by up to 80%

Arizona has launched AZRx, a prescription drug discount program designed to help patients afford their medications. The initiative, announced by Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Health Services, provides Arizona residents with access to a free discount card through ArrayRx, a multistate public pharmacy collaborative.


What Arizona Physicians Need to Know


The AZRx program represents an additional resource physicians can recommend to patients struggling with prescription costs, particularly those facing high out-of-pocket expenses or insurance coverage gaps.

The ArrayRx discount card is available at no cost to all Arizona residents and can be used at nearly 1,200 pharmacies across the state, part of a network exceeding 64,000 locations nationwide. The program covers FDA-approved prescriptions, including mail-order and specialty medications, as well as select over-the-counter drugs and diabetes supplies.


"We are working to make critical and lifesaving medicines more affordable for Arizona families," said Governor Hobbs. "At a time when prescription drug prices are too high, we are giving Arizonans access to lower prices."

Clinical Practice Implications


For physicians, this program offers another option when discussing medication affordability with patients. The discount card can be particularly valuable in several scenarios:


  • When Insurance Falls Short: Patients can use the card when their insurance does not cover a specific medication or when the insurance copay exceeds the discounted price. However, patients cannot combine the card with insurance—they must choose whichever option provides greater savings.
  • For Uninsured Patients: The estimated 11% of Arizonans without health insurance can access prescription savings through this program, potentially improving medication adherence and health outcomes.

  • During Coverage Transitions: Patients experiencing insurance loss or gaps in coverage can maintain access to medications through the discount card, reducing interruptions in treatment for chronic conditions.

  • Medication Adherence Support: Cost remains a significant barrier to medication adherence. This program provides physicians with a concrete resource to offer patients who express concerns about affording prescribed medications.


Program Eligibility and Restrictions


The program has minimal barriers to access. Any Arizona resident with a valid Arizona address can enroll, with no age limit or income restrictions. Each family member requires their own digital card.

The program does not cover veterinary prescriptions and cannot be combined with insurance or other discount programs. Patients should compare prices to determine whether their insurance or the discount card offers better savings for each prescription.


How Patients Can Access the Program


Physicians can direct patients to sign up through a straightforward three-step process:

  1. Enroll: Patients can register for free here.

  2. Download or Print: After enrollment, patients receive a digital card they can save to their phone or print

  3. Present at Pharmacy: Patients show the card to their pharmacist at checkout to receive the discount



Patients can verify participating pharmacies through the AZRx website, though the program is accepted at most major

pharmacy chains and many independent pharmacies statewide.


Supporting Patient Access to Medications


While the AZRx program does not address all challenges related to prescription drug costs, it provides physicians with another tool to help patients access necessary medications. By familiarizing themselves with this resource, Arizona physicians can better support patients in navigating the complex landscape of prescription drug pricing.

For more information about AZRx and to access patient enrollment resources, visit the program's webpage on ADHS's website here.

ADHS Issues Standing Orders for Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Access

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
Statewide orders keep pharmacists and physicians authorized to vaccinate Arizonans amid uncertainty over the next ACIP meeting. Statewide Orders Cover the 2026-27 Flu & COVID Season The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued statewide standing orders supporting access to the 2026-27 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arizonans seeking a flu or COVID-19 vaccine should contact their physician or pharmacy to confirm availability. Why the Orders Were Issued Arizona pharmacists may administer vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for international travel, or vaccines authorized under a prescription, including a physician-issued public health standing order. With the timing of the next ACIP meeting uncertain, ADHS worked with the Arizona Board of Pharmacy to issue statewide standing orders for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which function as a prescription allowing pharmacists and physicians across Arizona to administer them to anyone who wants one. ADHS Medical Advisor Weighs In "Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect our communities. The Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines help us limit the spread of disease, reduce pressure on our healthcare system and reduce costs," said Dr. Richard Carmona, ADHS public health medical advisor and the 17th U.S. Surgeon General. "We have issued these standing orders to ensure safe and timely access to the vaccines in alignment with scientific and evidence-based guidance." What Arizonans Should Know The standing orders do not require every pharmacy to offer vaccinations, and they do not guarantee insurance coverage for administration. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, so Arizonans should check with their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment. 

Arizona Asks Supreme Court to Halt Prison Health Care Takeover

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
State attorneys seek an emergency stay after lower courts reject bids to delay receivership of the prison health care system. State Makes a Last-Ditch Appeal Attorneys for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry asked the U.S. Supreme Court this week to delay a court-ordered receivership of the state's prison health care system. The request comes after both a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the takeover. In the recent application, former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a representative of the department, argued that the state deserves more time to make its case before surrendering control of its operations, including oversight of its employees and health care budget. Roots of the Case The dispute began in 2012 when inmates sued the department, alleging the prison system's inadequate medical, mental health, and dental care amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The case went through years of litigation and a failed settlement agreement. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ruled that the health care system was "grossly inadequate." The court ordered the prison healthcare system to comply with more than 150 "quality indicators," but according to court-appointed monitors, the department failed to comply with 131 of the measures. In light of this finding, Silver named Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, to take over as receiver effective Oct. 19. Arguments on Both Sides Clement argues receivership should be the last resort and that Silver moved to it too quickly. He asserts that the department has made measurable progress, including growing its health care staffing by more than 50%, expanding substance-use treatment access, and adopting a new care model. Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project, which represents the roughly 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona prisons, called the department's request a "Hail Mary" and said Silver had given the department years of opportunities to comply before ordering receivership. What Happens Next The Supreme Court has not yet set a deadline for the plaintiffs to respond to the stay request. Separately, the 9th Circuit is now reviewing the merits of the receivership order itself. The department filed its opening brief on Sept. 15, and the plaintiffs' response is due Oct. 15. Information in this article was sourced from the Arizona Mirror .