Save with Generics
You can save money on your prescriptions drugs by encouraging your doctor to prescribe generic drugs. Generic drugs are drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective alternatives to brand name drugs. They contain the same active ingredients in the same amounts as their brand name drug equivalents – and are usually a lot less expensive. Generic drugs provide the same benefit as their brand name counterparts and allow you to pay a lower drug copayment under your prescription drug benefit. To find out if the medication you're taking has a generic equivalent, go to My Rx Choices.
Your prescription drug benefit offers an open formulary (or a list of covered prescription drugs). In the formulary, prescription drugs are divided into four tiers with one of the tiers being generic (Tier 1). The placement of drugs in the formulary determines which co-payment will be charged for each 34-day supply. Generic drugs are considered preferred drugs and only require a $10 copayment for a 34-day supply, so generic drugs are the least costly of the drugs provided under the prescription drug benefit.
Recently released generics and possible savings:
| Brand Name Medication | Generic Equivalent | Generic Availability Date | Indication | Annual Savings up to: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yasmin® | Ethinyl estradiol/Drospirenone | 7/08 | Oral Contraception | $360 |
| Lamictal® | Lamotrigine | 7/08 | Epilepsy and Bipolar disorder | $360 |
| Imitrex (expected by the end of 2008) | Sumatriptan | Expected 12/08 | Migraine Headaches | $360 |
| Risperdal® | Risperidone | 6/08 | Schizophrenia | $360 |
| Depakote® | Divalproex sodium | 8/08 | Epilepsy and Bipolar disorder | $360 |
| Paxil CR® | Paroxetine extended release | 5/08 | Depression | $360 |
