Health Insurance Daily

Blues Plans Use Variety Of Methods To Boost Use Of Generic Rx Drugs

With a slew of medications losing patent protection over the next year and a half, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans say they will use a variety of methods to move members to generic prescription drugs.

Those strategies include both "tried-and-true" approaches such as member and physician education, as well as more innovative models such as ATM-style generic drug vending machines and pay-for-performance programs that reward physicians for prescribing generics where appropriate.

News this month that two generic drug makers are teaming to launch a generic version of allergy medication Allegra kicks off what will be a very busy year for generic launches.

Even though brand-name drug manufacturers have become increasingly savvy about finding ways to extend brand-name dominance — often by creating a new version of the drug about to lose protection — Blues plans and other managed care organizations have seen success in raising their generic prescribing rates, which now hover around 50% to 60% for the most successful commercial plans.

posted by Mike @ 3:30 PM