Humana Encourages Use of Generics

With so many blockbuster, brand-name medications recently losing their patents, you have probably been hearing a lot about generics. As Humana strives to provide high-quality, cost-effective pharmacy benefits to its members, one of the best ways to achieve this goal is for providers to consider prescribing generic medications whenever possible. Generic medications are safe, effective and affordable and are very often the best first-line option of treatment.

Multiple chronic disease states can be now controlled through monotherapy with generic medications, including the following:

• Depression
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Heartburn/GERD
• Osteoarthritis
• Incontinence
• Seasonal/perennial allergies
• Insomnia

Additionally, the chart below shows the generic alternatives for many of the popular brand name drugs on the market.

Choosing generics over brands can mean significant cost savings to the patient without sacrificing safety or efficacy. These cost savings have been shown to improve patient medication adherence and persistence.

In an effort to encourage the use of generics, many retailers now offer heavy discounts and incentives to patients who choose generic medications over brand-name drugs. Humana is doing its part by waiving copayments to qualifying members who switch to generics.

Humana also encourages members and providers to take advantage of RightSource, Humana's mail-order pharmacy. Some of the advantages of using RightSource include the following:

• Saves members time and money
• Convenience
• Better compliance

For more information about RightSource, visit www.humana.com and select "Members," and then click on the RightSource button. Or, call 1-800-379-0092 (TTY 1-877-833-4486).

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