OTC
AssistTM
A Growing
Trend in Over-the-Counter Medications Inspires Innovative
Cost Savings Program
Advances
in pharmaceuticals have worked miracles in improving health
and saving lives. Access to affordable drugs is a significant
issue to millions of people who need them. Fortunately, many
drugs used by millions of Americans are available in more
affordable generic or over-the-counter (OTC) forms. Sometimes,
however, the biggest barrier to health care access isn't cost--it's
lack of information. If people are going to take advantage
of less costly alternatives to brand-name prescription drugs,
they need to learn what options are available and discuss
those options with their physician to see if they are appropriate,
and determine how much money they could save if they switched.
OTC Assist™
is a cost savings program designed to encourage the use of
Over-the-Counter (OTC) products, rather than the more expensive
prescription medications. In the past few years, a number
of medications have moved to an OTC status. Zantac® Naprosyn®
and Motrin® are examples. Traditionally, when these medications
became available as OTC, the strength was half that of the
prescription medication.
More recently,
prescription strength OTCs have entered the market. Prilosec
OTC® (PPI) and Claritin® (NSA) are key examples. The
OTC strength of these medications is equivalent to the prescription
strength. CBCA Rx’s OTC Assist™ program was designed
to encourage/promote the use of OTC medications through plan
design incentives, such as lower copayments. This program
is meant to be an added valued benefit, for both the member
and client. The potential savings on a 30 day supply of NSAs
is approximately $30.00 per prescription and a 30 day supply
for PPIs is approximately $80.00 per prescription.
OTC medications
will play an extremely vital role in our healthcare. Prescribing
physicians should be recommending OTC medications more frequently
than in past. Establishing a costeffective use of prescription
and OTC medications makes the most of every dollar spent and
saves money on the client’s overall healthcare costs.
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