Study shows sponsors moving non-sedating antihistamines to a third tier realized greate...( ST. LOUIS FEBRUARY 11 2004 Health pl...),Health

ST. LOUIS, FEBRUARY 11, 2004 Health plan sponsors that did not cover over-the-counter (OTC) Claritin® (loratadine) and moved other prescription non-sedating antihistamine (NSA) drugs to third tier status under a three-tier drug benefit design realized an additional 7% to 16% in cost savings for all covered anti-allergy drugs compared to sponsors using other strategies, according to a study by Express Scripts.

All forms and strengths of Claritin, which had the largest market share of the prescription NSAs, became available for sale OTC in December 2002. The study used data from 1,779 plan sponsors across Express Scripts' book of business in examining the financial impact on plans sponsors of their choice of prescription NSA benefit design after Claritin went OTC.

"The results of the study indicate that plans should not cover OTC loratadine unless the coverage is provided simply as a benefit to their members without consideration of the lost savings," reported Tom Delate, PhD, director of research for Express Scripts and principal investigator for the study.

In another finding, increases in the rate of spending for Singulair® and Flonase® increased during the period.

"All benefit designs experienced substantial increases in the rate of Singulair spend and use, which coincided with its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its use with allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever," said Delate. "Plans should consider step therapy to manage spending on Singulair." Under step therapy, a patient tries a lower cost but similar drug to see if it works and is well tolerated before using a more expensive alternative.

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Contact: Derrell Carter
derrell.carter@express-scripts.com
314-702-7584
Express Scripts, Inc.
11-Feb-2004

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