SALEM (AP) - A new state program designed to help Oregon's seniors save money on prescription drugs began this week.

Discount cards were mailed out to about 1,200 older Oregonians who have signed up, but 100 times that number are eligible to participate in the program.

To qualify, a person must be 54 or older with income up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. For a single person, that's $1,435 a month; for a married couple, it's $1,925 a month.

The discount card, which is free, allows seniors to purchase their prescription drugs at negotiated discount prices from participating pharmacies. About 400 pharmacies, including most of the major chains and two mail-order pharmacies, are participating, said Missy Dolan, the program administrator.

Generic drugs get deeper discounts, some up to 60 percent; brand-name drugs are discounted about 15 percent, she said.

Unlike the Medicare drug discount program, the state's discount program is free, and it can be used for any drug, Dolan said. But the state program can be used in conjunction with the Medicare discount drug cards.

The state also is preparing to sign up public sector groups for the program, Dolan said - about 400,000 public employees are eligible.

As those employee groups join, the state's negotiating power will increase, said Maribeth Healey, executive director of Oregonians for Health Security.

Healey said she's hoping the Legislature will expand eligibility to include, for example, uninsured Oregonians as well as private sector employee groups.

Sen. Bill Morrisette, D-Springfield, has introduced such legislation in the current session, SB 329 and SB 505.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com