Generic initiatives planned for 2011

As part of our commitment to keep health care affordable, Priority Health will be encouraging members taking certain brand-name drugs to discuss generic alternatives with their PCP. Letters will be mailed to members taking brand-name Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs), bisphosphonates, and triptans informing them of recent generics within the classes. There are three reasons for this initiative:

• Generics within these classes may be clinically safe and effective alternatives to brandname products.
• Patients save money. We will waive the first copayment for members who switch to a generic. Members continue to save money through sustained low-cost generic copayments.
• It positively impacts your 2011 Partners in Performance incentive by increasing the percentage of your generic prescriptions.

Drug class	If you prescribe	Consider this instead
ARBs	Diovan/Diovan HCT Avapro/Avalide Atacand/Atacand HCT Benicar/Benicar HCT Micardis/Micardis HCT Teveten/Teveten HCT Exforge/Exforge HCT Azor	losartan losartan HCTZ
Bisphosphonates	Actonel Actonel with Calcium Boniva Fosamax plus D Reclast	alendronate
Triptans	Axert Frova Maxalt/MLT Relpax Sumavel Zomig	naratriptan sumatriptan

If you would like a copy of the member letter and/or a list of your patients taking these brand name medications, please contact your provider account representative (PAR).

Topics: