| Wal-Mart Expands $4 Generics Program
Bentonville, Ark.-
Wal-Mart rolled out its $4 generic prescription drug program to 11 additional states and added 17 products to the list of drugs already covered. The program is now being offered in all of its 3,810 pharmacies. According to Bill Simon, Executive Vice President of Wal-Mart's Professional Services Division, the program now lists 331 generic drugs available in commonly prescribed dosages for up to a 30-day supply. The $4 generics are not available by mail order, but refills may be ordered online and by telephone for in-store pickup in selected states. A press release from Wal-Mart says the chain has seen an increase of 2.1 million new prescriptions filled to date, compared to the same time period last year. A survey of Florida consumers that was conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association revealed that only about 5% of consumers polled have personally tried to use the program, and about 60% agreed that Wal-Mart's program did not offer all the cost savings it advertised. America's Best Health Plans Announced
Washington, D.C.-
U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced the publication of "America's Best Health Plans," the annual rankings of commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid health maintenance organizations and point-of-service plans. Topping the lists are Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (Maine, Massachusetts), Preferred Care (New York), and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, respectively. The rankings are based upon a plan's clinical performance, patient experience and satisfaction, and its NCQA accreditation status. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations, recognizes physicians and physician groups in key clinical areas, and manages the evolution of HEDIS, the tool used by health plans to measure and report on their performance. The top 50 commercial and top 25 Medicare and Medicaid plans can be found online at www.usnews.com/ healthplans. CVS/pharmacy Launches Online Medicare Part D Comparison Tool
Woonsocket, R.I.-
CVS/pharmacy announced the launch of a new online tool that should make choosing the right Medicare prescription drug plan easier for eligible recipients. Accessible through www.cvs.com and in CVS/pharmacy stores, the chain's Medicare Plan Comparison Tool will help seniors find the right plan based on their current medications and the options now available. For example, users of the tool can indicate their preferences regarding monthly premiums, medications covered in the "donut hole," and deductibles. The choices can be compared by plan cost or drug cost. New COPD Guidelines Released
New York City-
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) released updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The launch of the guideline document coincided with National COPD Awareness Month in November. The update includes state-of-the-art recommendations about COPD pathogenesis, diagnosis, and pharmacologic treatment. It emphasizes COPD systemic effects and complications, plus important emerging concepts in the treatment of lung disease, and continues to stress the importance of reducing exposure to COPD risk factors, in order to prevent the disease or to slow its progression. The GOLD guidelines contain evidence-based recommendations for COPD management and were developed by an international team of pulmonary experts.
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