 Pharmacy Program Reduces Cost of Generic Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
Many members do not realize how important it is to take their medications as prescribed. For instance, when members who have high blood cholesterol do not take their medications correctly, they can endanger their health and increase the risk of heart disease. It has been documented that the high cost of prescriptions can be a barrier to taking cholesterol medications regularly, as prescribed.
In order to address the possible cost barriers to taking these important medications, the State Health Plan launched a cholesterol-lowering medication adherence program in April 2009, with the goal of encouraging members to take their cholesterol medications consistently. Members have saved over $2.5 million in copays in the year since the program was launched, and there has been a 2 percent increase in member adherence to cholesterol medications. This evidence suggests that lowering the cost of generic cholesterol medications has encouraged members to take their medications on a more regular basis. Therefore, the Plan will continue this program indefinitely.
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| Pharmacy Tip |
Support for Diabetes Care
An important goal for the State Health Plan is to help members with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, better manage their conditions. The Plan offers members with diabetes coverage for medications, testing supplies and disease management to enhance their quality of care.
Diabetes Medications
There are many brand name and generic medications used to treat diabetes included on the Preferred Drug List (PDL).Members are encouraged to check the PDL often for new generics and brand name medications added to the list. For example, Onglyza ™ (saxagliptin) is a new brand name medication recently added to the preferred list, with a $35 copay for a standard 30-day supply. Members should shop around for diabetes medications, because many are included in the low cost generic programs now offered at many pharmacies.
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| Recently Released Generic Medications |
Generic equivalents for the brand medications listed in the attached chart are now available. The generic products are available at the lowest copayment level, $10 for a 30-day supply. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires generic drugs to have the same quality, strength, purity and stability as brand name counterparts. Members should talk to their providers to see if a generic medication is appropriate.
Once a generic is available for a brand name medication, and a member chooses the brand product, that member will be responsible for a $10 copay plus the difference in cost between the brand and generic medication.
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