Aetna Pharmacy Management to Launch a Generic First Program in Response to Zocor's Patent Expiring

The APM decision means Zocor and other branded statins will bemoved to a more expensive tier within its pharmacy benefits plans. Todate, Zocor was Aetna's preferred statin. The move could help controlplan sponsors' prescription drug benefit expenses if their employeeschoose to move to generics. Members who purchase the generic drug willalso save because Simvastatin will be offered at the lowest copaylevel.

"In the long run, we expect generics to always be a less expensivealternative to the branded pharmaceuticals they replace," said EricElliott, head of Aetna's Medical Related Products Business, whichincludes APM. "The expiration of brand medication patents is animportant trend that will help us better manage pharmaceutical costsfor our customers."

The expiration of Zocor's patent has been highly anticipatedbecause statin drugs that treat high cholesterol levels are among themost utilized pharmaceuticals in the United States and comprise alarge portion of health plans' annual drug spend.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health carebenefits companies, serving approximately 28.3 million unique memberswith information and resources to help them make better informeddecisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range oftraditional and consumer-directed health insurance products andrelated services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioralhealth, group life, long-term care and disability plans, and medicalmanagement capabilities. Our customers include employer groups,individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, healthplans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com