A Million More Reasons Physicians and Patients Are Thinking of Generics First.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.--(BW HealthWire)--June 20, 2001

Merck-Medco Announces Six-Month Milestones Of The First

National Generic Sampling and Education Program

Nearly 200,000 drug samples representing more than 1.4 million days of medication therapy were dispensed in the first six months of Generics First(SM) -- the first nationwide sampling and education program designed to promote the use of generic prescription drugs, Merck-Medco announced today.

Approximately 7,700 physicians are participating in the Generics First program, which provides access to generic samples and patient educational material through a simple fax/mail order form operated by a third-party fulfillment house. Merck-Medco clinical pharmacists are conducting monthly one-on-one visits with 1,700 physicians in 12 cities, while 6,000 physicians are participating in the direct mail program.

Over the next three years, patents for brand-name drugs representing more than $20 billion in sales are set to expire. By increasing the use of generic versions of these blockbuster drugs, consumers will save money through lower out-of-pocket costs or co-payments and they will be more economical for plan sponsors. Currently, of the more than 450 million prescriptions managed by Merck-Medco annually, nearly 40 percent are for generic medications.

"The response by physicians to the Generics First program has far exceeded any expectations," said Dr. Robert Epstein, chief medical officer, Merck-Medco, the nation's leading provider of pharmaceutical care. "It's clear we've created an innovative resource for physicians that is of tremendous value to their patients. By providing access to generic samples, Generics First allows people to experience first-hand that generic medications are safe and as effective as their brand-name counterpart at a significant savings."

Since Merck-Medco launched the Generics First program in October, the direct mail component has garnered more than a 20 percent physician response rate, more than double that of similar branded drug sampling programs. Of those physicians ordering the generic samples, more than 43 percent ordered all of the products available on the Generics First sample request form. In addition, the Merck-Medco pharmacists, who conduct monthly one-on-one meetings with physicians in the program's 12 lead cities, have an average discussion with physicians of seven minutes, significantly more than that of pharmaceutical sales representatives.

Educational material has also been a strong driver of the program's success with more than half of the physicians who ordered samples requesting the patient brochure "Consumers Guide to Generic Drugs," created in partnership with the National Consumers League. The brochure reinforces the fact that generic medicines are as safe and effective as the brand-name drug counterpart, but cost on average 30-to-60 percent less.

In support of the Generics First program, clients such as General Motors, Highmark BlueCross BlueShield, Nationwide and United Health Group are partnering with Merck-Medco by sending additional Generics First informational letters about the program to physicians affiliated with their health plans. In addition, the California Public Employee's Retirement System (CalPERS) supports appropriate use of generics among its 1.2 million members.

"The use of generic drugs presents a wonderful opportunity for our enrollees to maximize their prescription drug benefit program," said Dr. Archelle Gerogiou, chief medical officer of United Healthcare. "As in many of our programs, we continue to see the value of putting meaningful information in the hands of physicians and their patients and letting them choose what is best for them. The Generics First initiative is consistent with our mission of helping people get healthy, a key element of which is education."

Initially, the Generics First program is targeting four of the largest therapeutic categories - antihypertensives, anti-infectives, gastrointestinal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Currently, six of the 10 generic products available through the program are among the top 15 generic drugs dispensed in 2000 (excluding controlled substances) according to the Scott-Levin Prescription Audit.

During the physicians' monthly meetings Merck-Medco's pharmacists discuss the availability of under-utilized, high-quality generic drugs. The pharmacists also provide the latest information on the status and availability of new generic medicines.

Because a majority of the program's 7,700 physicians are at large group practices it is estimated that the Generics First message will reach more than 15,000 community-based physicians and more than 25 million patients. Moreover, the program is designed to reach all patients not just those covered by a Merck-Medco serviced plan.

"The Generics First program gives me the opportunity to say to my patient, 'You know what, I want to start you on a generic drug. Generic drugs are safe, they're effective, and by the way I have samples of them here in my office,'" said Dr. Kenneth Goodman, Cleveland Clinic Foundation family practitioner. "'And if they work for you, I can continue you on this generic drug, which is often a quarter of the price.'"

Merck-Medco is the leading provider of comprehensive, quality, affordable prescription drug care in the United States. An independently managed subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Merck-Medco serves the needs of more than 65 million, or nearly one-in-four Americans. Merck-Medco manages some 450 million prescriptions per year for its clients through its 12 mail service pharmacies and retail pharmacy networks. Merck-Medco's clients include major corporations, BlueCross BlueShield groups, insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, government health plans and unions. More information on Merck-Medco is available at http://www.merckmedco.com.

A video news release/b-roll package on the Generics First program will be sent out today, Wednesday, June 20, from 2:45 to 3:00 EDT. Satellite feed coordinates: Telstar 5, C-Band, Transponder 23V, Channel 23, Audio 6.2 & 6.8, Downlink frequency 3860MHz.