Kiosks Dispense Free Generic Drugs

The brand-name drug industry spends billions of dollars marketing drugs each year to doctors and patients. Now, some private insurers are fighting back with machines in doctor's offices that dispense free generic drug samples.

Aetna and Blue Cross are among a few insurers paying to install the drug kiosks in medical offices. The kiosks allow doctors to dispense up to a 30-day supply of free generic medications. Blue Cross, North Carolina's largest health insurer, began their program in the fall of 2006.

About 30 commonly used generic drugs can be stored in the machines for use by uninsured and insurers' members. While not a major catalyst for change, industry analysts believe they may go a long way toward changing doctor's habits.

The drugs include antibiotics and medicines for blood pressure and diabetes. The machines track what drugs have been dispensed and send an alert when they need refilling.

As one Blue Cross pharmacy manager says, "If we can encourage the prescribing of a generic versus a brand name, there's a significant opportunity to impact long-term affordability."

These tactics by insurance companies to find ways to reduce prescription drug costs comes as many brand-name drugs are losing their patent protection.

Generics are older, less-expensive versions of brand-name drugs. Some generic medicines look different due to the lack of the inactive ingredients manufacturers use to enhance the flavor or color. However, the Food and Drug Administration requires generic drugs to contain the same active Ingredient and be absorbed in the body the same as their brand-name counterparts. Examples of generics include Floxotine — the generic equivalent of Prozac — or Metformin, the generic for the diabetes medicine Glucophage.

Choosing a generic option can:

• Reduce prescription co-payments
• Provide the same quality and effectiveness
• Keep medical costs affordable to everyone

Source: Pharmaceutical News

Note: Do your employees need a refresher on the benefits of generic medicines? Call us at The Benefit Advocates and schedule a customized Lunch & Learn session for your employees. Call 1-800-344-5677.