Aetna Offers a Copay-Free Period in New Jersey to Promote Appropriate Generic Use.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Beginning this month, Aetna (NYSE:AET) is launching a six-month pilot program in the New Jersey area that waives copays for fully insured members changing to generic from brand name proton pump inhibitors (PPI) to treat heartburn or similar symptoms.

Commercial plan members(1) currently filling prescriptions for certain brand name PPIs are eligible for the copay waiver, if they switch therapy to the generic omeprazole 20mg (the generic for Prilosec(R)). The free copay program is part of an aggressive effort by Aetna Pharmacy Management (APM) to encourage individuals to use generic drugs, where appropriate and with the approval of their physician. The switch to generics can help employers and employees save on the rising cost of prescription drugs.

"There is a tremendous opportunity to help consumers and employers save by increasing appropriate utilization of generic drugs and this program seeks to raise awareness of savings through generics," said Eric Elliott, head of APM. "The message of this program is simple: if generic drugs are prescribed whenever appropriate, health care costs can be responsibly controlled without any adverse impact on the quality of care."

The cost of the generic Prilosec is on average $140 less than the cost of certain branded drugs in the PPI class. Experts generally agree that generic Prilosec is equally effective as the more expensive branded drugs in the PPI class in the vast majority of patients. Aetna estimates that more than 19,000 of its members in the New Jersey area are now receiving PPI medications, at an annual cost of $3 million.

Generic alternatives are increasingly becoming available as the patents of well-known branded drugs expire. The use of generic drugs has been increasing nationally as consumers accept them as safe and effective, at a fraction of the cost of the brands they replace. According to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, half the prescriptions being filled in the U.S. are for generics, but annual expenditures for those medications only represent between 10 and 15 percent of the cost for prescriptions in the U.S.

Elliott said APM is monitoring the patent expirations of other branded drugs this year, including the highly utilized cholesterol lowering drug, Zocor. APM will implement other initiatives to encourage its members to use generic medications that are chemically and therapeutically equivalent to more expensive brand name medications, such as Zocor, which sees its patent expire this July.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 27.9 million unique members with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com

(1) For some benefit plans deductibles must be met before the full cost of the prescription is paid by the medical/pharmacy benefit plan sponsors.