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Tools for Employers and Other Health Plan Purchasers: Prescription Drugs

Generic drugs are a significant source of potential savings

for consumers and employers, union trusts and others who purchase health care coverage. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generics can be 30-80% less expensive than their brand name counterparts. And research shows that cost is one of the obstacles that keeps patients from taking the drugs they need to stay healthy.

Here are some of the best information sources and tools available to help you inform employees and other consumers about generics and other options for safe, effective and more affordable prescription drugs.

Basic Information

Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers

Answers to common questions about generics, including how the FDA helps make sure generic drugs are safe and work well. (Source: FDA)  

See "Getting Out the Generics Message," below, for additional FDA educational materials.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (PDF)

Provide this checklist to your employees to help them talk with their doctors or other health care professionals about prescription drugs. It also includes tips for saving on prescriptions. (Source: Puget Sound Health Alliance)

The Electronic Orange Book

The “Orange Book” allows searches by the brand name of a drug to find out if a generic form of that drug has been approved by the FDA. (Source: FDA)

• Tip: “Proprietary Name” means brand name—the name you hear advertised on TV. It is also possible to search by generic names and ingredients.

Best Buy Drugs

Consumers Union, the group that publishes Consumer Reports, picks the best drugs to treat certain conditions. Their choices are based on how well the drugs work, safety, side effects and cost. (Source: Consumer Reports)

• Tips: Note the option in the lower left corner to show the text in larger or smaller sizes. Also available in Spanish.

Drugs A-Z

WebMD gives facts on hundreds of drugs, including warnings, side effects, uses, and potential interactions with other drugs. There are also side-by-side photos of brand-name and generic versions of the same drug. You can search by drug or condition. (Source: WebMD)

• Tips: Look for the Drugs A-Z link at the bottom of the WebMD homepage. Includes information on over-the-counter as well as prescription drugs.

Note: Linking to any WebMD page other than the home page from your website requires permission from WebMD.

Treatment and Medication Ratings

This website shows consumer ratings for drugs. (Source: Revolution Health)

• Tip: This website is new, so there are relatively few ratings. If you encourage employees to use this site, remind them that these are the opinions of only a small number of people.

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Getting Out the Generics Message

Download this flyer or tabletop card to display in your workplace. (Source: Puget Sound Health Alliance/FDA)

The FDA provides a range of consumer information materials, many of them in several languages. Materials include:

° Brochures

° PowerPoint Presentation

° Print Public Service Announcements

° Posters

° Pharmacy Counter Mat

° Internet Public Service Announcement Banners

° Radio Public Service Announcements

° Audio Presentations and One Page Handouts

° Multimedia Presentations

° Articles

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association offers the following educational and promotional materials for general use:

 ° Flyer

 ° Brochure

 ° Frequently Asked Questions

                                    
This is Your Wallet. This is your Wallet on Brand Name Drugs (PDF)

(Source: King County)

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Antibiotics Education

The Washington Department of Health has developed posters and fact sheets the reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics. Posters are available in English and Spanish. Fact sheets come in English, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

° Posters

° Fact sheets

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Managing Medicines

My Medication List (PDF)

This card allows your employees and their family members to record medicines, providers, allergies, emergency contacts, etc.

(Source: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)

Medication Wallet Card  (PDF)

This wallet-sized card helps your employees and their family members track their medicines. (Source: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)

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Saving on Drug Costs

Calculate Your Savings

Encourage employees to use this calculator, which helps determine how much they might save to by using a generic instead of a brand name drug. (Source: Premera Blue Cross)

• Tip: These are estimates. Cost varies by pharmacy, and your health plan benefits may cover all or part of the cost.

Tips for Saving

This tip sheet helps show how to save money on prescriptions. (Source: Puget Sound Health Alliance)

RX Help for Washington

Encourage employees to consult this list of programs that help consumers access free or low-cost prescription drugs in Washington state. (Source: Rx Help for Washington)

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

Encourage employees to use this website, which links to programs around the country that help consumers, caregivers and prescribers access free or low-cost prescription drugs. (Source: Partnership for Prescription Assistance)

Benefits Check Up RX

This service helps people 55 and over connect to private or government programs that help them cover all or part of the cost of prescription drugs. (Source: National Council on Aging)

Prescription Drug Discount Card Programs

RX Washington Card—A discount program open to Washington State residents who do not have insurance coverage for prescriptions. (Source: Washington Health Care Authority)

Express Scripts Through RX Outreach—A prescription assistance program for people with lower incomes. Tip: click on RX Outreach in the lower right corner. (Source: Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc.)

Together RX Access Card—A prescription assistance program for people with lower incomes who do not have insurance coverage for prescriptions and are not eligible for Medicare. (Source: Together Rx Access)

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