Blue Cross of California Members to Save Substantially on Prilosec OTC; Coupon Program Makes Drug Free for a Sample Box of 14.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers THOUSAND OAKS Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2003 Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) today announced the implementation of a program that will provide its members substantial savings on the price of Prilosec OTC OTC See: Over-the-counter. OTC See over-the-counter market (OTC). (R), the proton pump inhibitor proton pump inhibitor n. A class of drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion by interfering with the movement of hydrogen ions across cell membranes and are used mainly to treat peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and esophagitis. drug that was approved for sale over-the-counter (OTC) on June 20. Prilosec is now available in the same 20mg strength that was previously available only with a doctor's prescription. Dr. Robert Seidman, Blue Cross' chief pharmacy officer, said the availability of Prilosec OTC will help make controlling acid reflux acid reflux n. See heartburn. symptoms more economical and accessible for not only insured members but the uninsured populace as well. "We've made Prilosec OTC even more cost effective and convenient for our members by entering into a strategic partnership with Procter & Gamble, the marketer of Prilosec OTC, to offer discount coupons for this popular drug." Blue Cross is sending information about this program to more than 100,000 insured members who have received prescriptions for any proton pump inhibitor drug during the past six months and are using that drug to control episodic acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn heartburn, burning sensation beneath the breastbone, also called pyrosis. Heartburn does not indicate heart malfunction but results from nervous tension or overindulgence in food or drink. as opposed to chronic digestive disorder symptoms for conditions such as ulcers. Included in this mailing will be three Prilosec OTC coupons--one for a free sample box of 14 and two with a redemption value of $10 each towards the purchase of boxes of 28 or 42 count Prilosec tablets. Using these coupons will allow its members to purchase Prilosec at a cost that is less than the average Blue Cross brand name proton pump inhibitor drug co-payment of $22. Proctor & Gamble's suggested retail price for a 28-count Prilosec OTC package is approximately $22, which equates to a cost of approximately 78 cents per tablet. With the coupon, the cost of Prilosec OTC will be 43 cents per tablet, or about $13 for a one-month supply. "Our coupon programs are part of an ongoing effort to help protect the affordability of health benefits," said Seidman. "This is good news for our members who now have a choice of safe, effective, affordable heartburn drugs without a doctor's prescription or co-payments." Historically, Blue Cross members have shared in the higher cost of prescription drugs and physician office visits via their health insurance premiums. Seidman maintains that the movement to OTC drugs in addition to the rediscovery of first line therapy generic drugs helps Blue Cross mitigate the rise in health insurance premiums. Additionally, the health plan is better able to direct resources to life-essential prescription medications developed by the pharmaceutical industry in other therapeutic classes. Prilosec, one of the most popular prescription medications in the world, resides in a drug class that represents approximately eight to 10 percent of Blue Cross' overall drug costs. "We applaud any drug manufacturer who exhibits the sense of social responsibility to voluntarily and proactively move a prescription drug to OTC status given that the drug has been determined by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. to be safe enough for the consumer to self-medicate," concluded Seidman. Blue Cross of California and its California affiliates, with more than 7 million medical members, is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded health care companies. WellPoint serves the health care needs of more than 13.3 million medical members and more than 49 million specialty members nationally. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO PPO abbr. preferred provider organization PPO Managed care Preferred provider organization, see there Infectious disease Pleuropneumonia-like organism, see there , POS (1) See point of sale and packet over SONET. (2) "Parent over shoulder." See digispeak. POS - point of sale and hybrid products, HMO HMO health maintenance organization. HMO n. A corporation that is financed by insurance premiums and has member physicians and professional staff who provide curative and preventive medicine within certain financial, and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management A Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) is a third party administrator of prescription drug programs. They are primarily responsible for processing and paying prescription drug claims. , dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts flexible spending account, n an employee reimbursement account primarily funded with employee-designated salary reductions. Funds are reimbursed to the employee for health care (medical and/or dental), dependent care, and/or legal expenses and are , COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. Blue Cross of California can be found on the web at www.bluecrossca.com. Blue Cross of California is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association. |
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