WASHINGTON?A new program created by U.S. drug store chains soon may provide low-income seniors without drug insurance an opportunity to purchase discounted prescription medications.

The Pharmacy Care One Card by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores will give seniors with the card access to multiple discount programs offered by various manufacturers that agree to participate. The card will be free to seniors.

Various manufacturers have introduced their own cards, including Eli Lilly and Co. and Pfizer Inc., which charge a fee. The goal of the association is to let seniors have one free card to access all manufacturers’ discount programs, including companies that don’t offer cards.

Chief executive Craig Fuller said if all those manufacturers agree to participate, the new One Card would reduce consumer confusion and inconvenience as more cards enter the market.