Aetna debuts program that waives co-pays for six months

US health care benefits group Aetna has launched a program that waives co-pays for six months when members change from brand name antidepressants Lexapro or Paxil CR to generics citalopram or paroxetine, respectively. The program is not available in all states or under all benefit plans. This class of drugs is an addition to the current portfolio of products included in the co-pay waiver program, which includes statin cholesterol reducers, proton pump inhibitor acid reducers, and non-sedating antihistamines.

"Aetna's Save a Co-paySM program has already shown success in driving usage of generic drugs used to treat other conditions, such as high cholesterol," said Steve Meholic, head of Aetna Pharmacy Management. "Our members save on the co-pay, and the program can help control the increasing cost of prescription drug benefits because generics are less expensive than their chemically equivalent brand name counterparts," he added.

Historically, prescription drug spending for this antidepressant class has been significant. In 2006, Aetna paid over $56.7 million in claims for Lexapro and Paxil CR for its fully insured business.