Consumer Reports to Rate Drugs

Wednesday, December 1st 2004, 10:12 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Consumer Reports will begin comparing the effectiveness and cost of a few types of widely used prescription drugs, giving consumers the same type of analysis now provided on such items as refrigerators and cars.

Unlike the nonprofit publisher's other products, the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs Web site, to be unveiled on Dec. 9, will be free.

Certain states already receive such drug-by-drug comparisons so their Medicaid managers can make decisions on which prescription drugs to cover.

The new Web site will make similar information available for other low-income consumers, like senior citizens and people whose insurance does not cover prescription drug purchases.