GULF SHORES, Ala. — With the hope to further ease financial stress for its residents, the city of Gulf Shores is taking part in a new discount prescription drug program.

A service offered to members of the National League of Cities, the Prescription Discount Card program allows the city to provide its citizens with discounts at almost all pharmacies.

“It’s a no-brainer,” mayor pro tem Carolyn Doughty said. “Anything that can help people with everything that’s going on; you never know when you might need that help.”

Doughty was intrigued by the program after seeing the city of Fairhope implemented it. She said there is no criteria to receive a card, and the program is free for residents and costs the city nothing.

“It is particularly designed for people who have no health insurance,” Doughty said.

With the large amount of self-employed people and seasonal work, she said she’s sure there are a good bit of people who don’t have health insurance.

The extra help comes also at a time when people aren’t only losing their job but their benefits, which typically include health insurance.

However, people with insurance are encouraged to use the program. Doughty said the pharmacy will tell which is a better deal, be it your insurance or the program.

According to literature released by the NLC, the program is supported by CVS Caremark and does not interfere with Medicare or Medicaid.

It is a free service offered to anyone, even those who aren’t residents of Gulf Shores. Doughty sent in the final paperwork last week and she said it will take eight weeks to receive the cards.

People should expect to see them in early May. Cards will be placed in city facilities like City Hall, the public library and the Bodenhamer Center.

Residents can find more information, including what pharmacies accept the card, at caremark.com/nlc. Instead of picking up a card, a “Web card” can be printed off of the site.

The Web site also has health and wellness information and allows a card holder to look up drug prices.