AdvancePCS Plan Encourages Generics

AdvancePCS, which manages prescriptions for pharmacies, said it is introducing a plan to encourage the use of low-cost generic drugs by providing vouchers for new prescriptions and informing pharmacists about the availability of generics.

Insurance companies will pick up the tab to eliminate co-payments for generic drugs under the voucher program, an AdvancePCS spokesman said. The plan would benefit health insurers by helping to switch patients to cheap copycats, which would cost insurers less in the future.

AdvancePCS’ program, called AdvanceGenerics, will offer vouchers that enable patients to obtain their first fill of a generic drug at a pharmacy at no cost. Vouchers will be distributed directly to patients by AdvancePCS, through their health plans or from their doctors.