|
|
|
|
Widely-used allergy medication to be available over-the-counter
OTC Zyrtec to reduce HealthPartners drugs cost up to $3 million per year
Jan. 23, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Zyrtec, one of the most commonly prescribed medications for allergies will be available over the counter beginning Jan 24, 2008. The change reduces the cost of Zyrtec from $75 to $20 for a 30-day supply. About 1200 HealthPartners members currently have prescriptions for Zyrtec, paying an average co-pay of $35 for the brand name medication. The over the counter price for Zyrtec will be about approximately $20 per month, saving consumers $15 a month. After several months on the market, the cost of OTC Zyrtec is expected to decrease even further.
"Making this drug available over the counter, decreases costs and increases access for people who suffer from hay fever and other allergies," said Richard Bruzek, vice president pharmacy services. Hay fever and other allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease, with about 50 million sufferers each year in the United States, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Generic versions of Zyrtec are expected to be available later this year which is expected to further lower costs for consumers. For more information about Zyrtec, stop by a HealthPartners pharmacy today or visit www.healthpartners.com/pharmacy.
HealthPartners Pharmacy Services
HealthPartners family of care includes HealthPartners pharmacy services, filling more than six million prescriptions for members each year including 1.5 million prescriptions filled at 17 HealthPartners owned pharmacies in Minnesota and through HealthPartners mail order pharmacy.
About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, the HealthPartners (www.healthpartners.com) family of healthcare companies serve more than one million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. It is the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the nation, providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the health of members, patients and the community. For the third year in a row, HealthPartners is rated one of the best commercial health plans in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, NCQA's "America's Best Health Plans 2007" and is ranked "Highest in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Region" by J.D. Power and Associates.
Contact: 952-883-5308
Pager: 612-527-1921
|
|
|
|
|
|
