BJ's matches Wal-Mart's $4 generic drug price

Natick retailer BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. said today that its BJ's pharmacy locations in Massachusetts will charge only $4 for a 30-day supply of select generic medication prescriptions, only hours after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it would bring a similar program to its Bay State stores.

"BJ's Pharmacy is committed to offering consumers competitive pricing every day on both generic and brand-name prescriptions not typically covered by insurance," BJ's vice president Chris Cella said in a statement.

Although BJ's is a membership-based business, consumers do not need a membership to use BJ's full-service pharmacy, the company said.

The company said it has BJ's Pharmacy locations in such communities as Danvers, Dedham, Framingham, Leominster, Plymouth, Stoughton, and Stoneham.

In early morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange, company shares were trading at $29.85, up 17 cents.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)