National Business Digest

NATION

Prescription drug costs vary widely among stores

NEW YORK — If you have been going to the same drugstore for as long as you can remember, it may be costing you more than you know.

A recent study shows there are huge disparities in prices for pharmaceutical drugs, with the difference sometimes costing more than $100 for the same prescription. Though prices vary from store to store, a prescription can sometimes cost much less at a pharmacy of the same chain that’s just down the street.

Consumer Reports magazine made more than 500 calls to 163 pharmacies nationwide to gauge prices of four different prescription drugs. One of the drugs, generic alendronate for osteoporosis, had a price range of $124 to $306.

Volunteer programs used to develop workers’ skills

NEW YORK — As companies face shrinking budgets and the threat of talent shortages, many are looking to their pro bono programs as a source for skill development. Rather than cleaning public parks, companies are lending the skills of their employees to nonprofits and small businesses around the world.

A telephone survey of 250 managers from Fortune 500 companies found that 91 percent say they find value in using their volunteer programs as a tool for training, according to consulting firm Deloitte Services LLP. Still, only 16 percent regularly offer such projects to employees.

“Corporate America is slowly identifying or clarifying an opportunity for volunteerism, to be more strategic and not just to do a nice thing,” said Evan Hochberg, director of community involvement for Deloitte.

Associated Press