Generics (and big savings) coming for Plavix, Singulair and Cymbalta

Posted at: 06/12/2012 10:40 AM | Updated at: 06/12/2012 6:41 PM

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield says generics are coming for Plavix, Singulair and Cymbalta. If you take either of these drugs, we want to hear from you. What will this mean for your bottom line?

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Here's what the Excellus BCBS press release says about the new generics.

Upstate New Yorkers could see more than $700 million in annualized savings as 35 brand-name prescription drugs become available in their generic form during 2012 and 2013, according to a new report issued by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS).
Leading the list of new generics that offer the greatest savings opportunities are Plavix® for heart patients, Singulair® for asthma and allergic rhinitis and Cymbalta® for treatment of depression, pain and fibromyalgia.

Plavix has about 62,000 users in upstate New York, Singulair about 91,000 users and Cymbalta about 42,000 users.

"The potential annual savings from just these three drugs could total $264 million once the generic forms become widely available," said Joel Owerbach, Pharm.D., vice president and chief pharmacy officer, Excellus BCBS.

Click here for a link to Excellus BCBS's press release on this story.

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