BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has gone national with its free mail delivery prescription program.

Begun in May with a pilot in Michigan, the mail-order program lets pharmacy patients receive 90-day supplies of more than 300 generic medications for $10. Patients can order their prescriptions through a toll-free telephone number or the retailer’s web site and have them delivered by mail at no charge.

The nationwide rollout of free mail delivery for prescriptions follows last month’s expansion of the program to 22 states in the Midwest and Northeast.

Wal-Mart executives say the free mail delivery program is the latest step in the discount giant’s efforts to provide affordable health care to millions of Americans.

“Wal-Mart’s $4 generic drug program has helped so many patients afford their medication needs, but unfortunately we’ve found there are still too many patients unable to take advantage of our low prices because they are home-bound or live too far from a Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club pharmacy,” says Dr. John Agwunobi, president of Wal-Mart’s health and wellness division.

“With this program, we’re able to provide consumers in every rural town or big city across America with more affordable prescription medicines through a convenient, free mail delivery system.”

Besides $10 generic drugs, the mail-order program offers free delivery of more than 3,000 other affordable brand-name and generic prescriptions.

The program does not require a membership or an enrollment fee, Agwunobi notes.

“Americans deserve access to quality, affordable health care and medications, yet some families today aren’t filling prescriptions because of high costs or lack of health insurance,” he says. “Our $10 mail delivery prescription program is a true reflection of Wal-Mart’s commitment to drive unnecessary costs out of the health care system so that Americans can live healthier, better lives.”