|
Service Focused Initiative |
|
Pharmacy Initiative—Generic Dispensing Rate Pharmacy Plan for Increasing the Use of Generic Drugs
Goal · Encourage the use of high quality, cost effective, generic drugs as alternatives to brand name prescriptions when generic use is considered clinically appropriate by the physician; · Encourage physicians to prescribe lower cost alternatives such as over-the-counter (OTC) medications or low cost brands when no generic drug is available and when clinically appropriate; and · Reduce overall drug cost by increasing the use of lower-cost generic and Brand name medications.
Objective · Performance Improvement when comparing JPA’s generic dispensing rate to past performance and an established benchmark. The 2009 Aggregate BCBSM PGIP Risk—Adjusted Generic Drug Rate (GDR) for Pediatric Members (0-17) was 71.4% and Adult Members (18-65) was 70.4%. For Pediatric Members, JPA was reported as one of eight Benchmark Performers at 10% of the population with the PGIP aggregate at 71.9%. JPA missed being one of six Benchmark Performers for the Adult Members with the PGIP aggregate at 73.5%.
Practices should 1. Review reports and determine if patients currently on brand drugs with a generic alternative can be switched; 2. Begin a patient’s treatment with a generic drug initially; 3. Review the JPA reports and meet with JPA staff to see what steps can be taken to improve GDR throughout the year; 4. If you are not using an e-prescribing software now, please consider implementing one to assist you with knowing what generics are available; and 5. Keep current with “First Time” generics available for 2010. A great Internet resource is www.theadvertisedbrand.com
Resources · Patient Generic Drug Education Handout |
|
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Physician Group Incentive Program (PGIP) |
