SilverScript: A CaremarkRx Company

Search

Is there a generic drug for the
brand I use?

Many brand-name drugs have a generic equivalent which may help you save money through reduced co-payments and/or co-insurance costs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Americans save between $8 and $10 billion every year by choosing generics.* These savings will help lower your overall drug costs, which will also delay entrance into the "coverage gap" or "donut hole" where you are responsible for 100% of your drug costs.

* www.fda.gov

Click on the ►'s below, and learn as much as you can about generics. It's time you take control of your health care costs and talk to your doctor about lower-cost generic drugs.

• GENERIC DRUGS:
  Same Quality. Big Savings.
• Generic Drugs:
  Safe. Effective. Better Value.
• GENERIC DRUGS:
  Safe. Effective. FDA Approved.
• Is There a Generic Drug for the Brand I Use?
  How Much Can I Save?

.

Check out whether a generic alternative
is right for you

We are dedicated to offering you the most comprehensive Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans available and that means sharing information that can provide you with various choices to meet your changing needs.

You know generic drugs can save you money. Yet, sometimes a brand-name drug may not have a generic equivalent. That doesn't mean you do not have options. Talk to your doctor about substituting a "generic alternative" for your brand-name drug. A generic alternative to a brand-name drug may be used to treat the same condition for which the brand-name drug was prescribed.

Listed below are classes that offer generic alternatives. If you are currently taking one of these targeted brand-name drugs, ask your doctor if the alternative is right for you. A generic medicine can offer a significant cost savings and as a maintenance medicine filled through mail service you could save even more.

CHOLESTEROL LOWERING DRUGS

If you take Advicor, Altoprev, Crestor, Lescol, Lescol XL, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Previgard, Vytorin or Zocor, you may want to consider pravastatin or simvastatin. All of these drugs are clinically proven to lower levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol clogging the blood vessels. Talk to your doctor about pravastatin or simvastatin, cost-effective alternatives with significant savings.

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS

If you take Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid or Zegerid, you may want to consider omeprazole or pantoprazole. All of these drugs have been clinically proven to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or ulcers. All are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which mean they decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces and prevent injury to the esophagus. The difference - cost. At a fraction of the price, omeprazole and pantoprazole are clinically appropriate cost-effective alternatives.

ANTIHISTAMINES

If you take Clarinex or Xyzal, you may want to consider fexofenadine. All are antihistamines clinically approved for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Histamine is a substance in your body that causes allergy systems. Fexofenadine blocks histamine and relieves symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watering eyes. At a much lower cost, fexofenadine is a clinically appropriate cost-effective alternative.

INSOMNIA

If you take Ambien CR or Lunesta you may want to consider zolpidem or zaleplon. All of these drugs are considered hypnotics, which belong to a group of medicines that are used to treat people who have trouble sleeping. Talk to your doctor to determine if zolpidem or zaleplon may be clinically appropriate for your condition. These cost-effective alternatives may provide you with significant savings.

ACE INHIBITORS

If you take Aceon, you may want to consider fosinopril, lisinopril or quinapril. Like Aceon, these generic alternatives belong to the group of medicines commonly known as "ACE Inhibitors." ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure. Fosinopril, lisinopril or quinapril have been clinically proven to lower high blood pressure. Some ACE inhibitors are used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Talk to your doctor to determine if fosinopril, lisinopril or quinapril may be clinically appropriate for your condition so you can take advantage of the savings offered through cost-effective alternatives.

Fill your prescriptions at a preferred
pharmacy

As a member of our Plan you have access to a wide range of network pharmacies, but to maximize savings you need to use our Preferred Pharmacies. Preferred pharmacies are pharmacies in our network where we have negotiated lower cost-sharing for members on covered prescription drugs.

CVS/pharmacy, Longs Drugs, and Caremark mail service pharmacies are preferred pharmacies for our plans. You can still get your drugs at non-preferred network pharmacies, but you may pay more for certain drugs.

Start saving with preferred pharmacies. Click here to learn how.

Use Caremark Mail Service for all your
maintenance medications

CAREMARK MAIL SERVICE

How would you like to have your long-term medication conveniently delivered to your home? Not only will it save you time and trips to a participating retail pharmacy, you may also save money! With mail service, you can receive up to a 90-day supply of your medication for a co-payment that is likely to be significantly less than you would pay for three 34-day co-payments at a participating retail pharmacy.

WITH THE CAREMARK MAIL SERVICE PROGRAM YOU CAN:

• Enjoy the ease of having a prescription delivered to the location of your choice - home, office, vacation spot, etc.
• Greater convenience with mail service of up to a 90-day supply of medication - including free standard shipping.
• Personal service with a 24-hour, toll-free hot-line to speak with a registered pharmacist about any questions or concerns you may have.
• Excellent quality through confidential, tamper-resistant and temperature-controlled - packaging of prescriptions.
• Internet and refill-by-phone services to order your prescription refills 24 hours a day,
  7 days a week.

The Caremark Mail Service offering also checks the availability of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved, generic substitutions to fill prescriptions when authorized by physicians and permissible by law. By using generics, you may reduce your prescription drug costs and avoid the coverage gap for longer if you should reach it.

HOW DO I START?

Our FastStart program offers 3 easy options to start saving with mail service. Click on the FastStart Link, review the program and give us a call. If you prefer, print out the flyer and take it with you to your next doctor visit. Be pro-active with your health needs. Provide your doctor with the physician's FastStart telephone number so he/she can call your prescription directly in to us.