Lipitor Moves to Preferred Brand Status on CIGNA's Prescription Drug List
Will Reduce Price for Individuals Covered by CIGNA
BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2008 - CIGNA Pharmacy Management (CIGNA) has moved Lipitor®, the world's number one selling drug, to the less expensive preferred brand on the company's prescription drug list. Moving Lipitor to a preferred brand will result in significantly reduced costs for individuals CIGNA serves who use Lipitor -- whether filling those prescriptions at a retail pharmacy or at CIGNA Tel-Drug Home Delivery Pharmacy. The savings became effective with prescriptions filled beginning on November 11, 2008.
"We are always looking for ways to improve access to FDA-approved medications, while providing cost-effective choices to those we serve," said Eric Elliott, president of CIGNA Pharmacy Management. "While we are always updating our drug list, we are particularly pleased to be able to announce this cost reduction during these challenging economic times. This move will reduce costs, making it more likely that individuals will take their required medications, thereby improving health."
Lipitor, manufactured and marketed by Pfizer, is the world's best-selling drug and is used to lower blood cholesterol, which is the leading risk factor for heart disease, the number one health problem in the United States. By moving Lipitor to the preferred status, the out-of-pocket cost of the drug is dramatically reduced for the majority of individuals. Depending on an individual's prescription benefit plan, at preferred brand status, the cost of a one-month prescription can decrease by up to 50 percent.
Lipitor is scheduled to lose its U.S. patent in 2011, so the company's move to make Lipitor a preferred brand before it goes off patent will allow individuals and clients to save money now, and then save even more when the generic version becomes available.
About CIGNA Pharmacy Management:
CIGNA Pharmacy Management employs a consultative approach to help plan sponsors design pharmacy benefit plans that achieve lower net costs while providing industry-leading pharmacy clinical programs to help improve health outcomes. "CIGNA," "CIGNA Pharmacy Management," "CIGNA Tel-Drug" and the "Tree of Life" logo are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) and its operating subsidiaries. All products and services are provided exclusively by such operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. Such operating subsidiaries include Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Tel-Drug, Inc., Tel-Drug of Pennsylvania, L.L.C., and HMO or service company subsidiaries of CIGNA Health Corporation.