The First National Generic Sampling and Education Program

Dedicated to Quality Pharmaceutical Care at Lower Cost

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck-Medco, one of the nation's leading providers of prescription drug care serving one in four Americans, today announced the launch of Generics First, the first nationwide program to promote the use of generic prescription drugs through a unique generic drugs sampling and education program.

The Generics First program will provide physicians with additional tools and information to help patients gain first-hand experience with generic medications. Generic medicines have the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines, but cost on average 30-to-60 percent less.

"We believe it is our responsibility to provide health plan sponsors with innovative programs that can reduce the rising costs of and improve access to high-quality pharmaceutical care," says Dick Clark, president of Merck-Medco. "With the availability of important new generic medicines over the next few years, we now have a unique opportunity to substantially reduce the cost of care, while maintaining the highest quality. To put this in perspective, just a one percent increase in the use of generic drugs equates to a more than $200 million savings for our plan sponsors and their members."

How the Program Works

Initially, the Generics First program will target four of the largest therapeutic areas -- antihypertensives, anti-infectives, gastrointestinal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). A team of Merck-Medco pharmacists will meet one-on-one with physicians at large group practices in select cities to discuss the availability of under-utilized, high-quality generic drugs. The pharmacists will provide the latest information on the status of brand-name medicines and the availability of new generic medicines. In addition, for the first time ever, physicians will have access to free samples of commonly prescribed generic medications through a simple, free mail-order system.

In the first year, the program will target over 7,700 physicians nationwide, with 6,000 receiving direct mailings and 1,700 receiving monthly visits from the registered pharmacists. As a result, it is estimated that the Generics First message will reach more than 15,000 community-based physicians and more than 25 million patients. Moreover, the program is designed to reach all patients not just those covered by a Merck-Medco serviced plan.

"Physicians play a vital role in helping patients keep prescription drugs within their reach," says Glen Stettin, M.D., Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Merck-Medco. "By providing physicians with access to samples, Generics First allows people to experience first-hand that generic medications have the same therapeutic benefits at a significant savings."

In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires generic drugs to contain the same active ingredients at the same strength and dosage form as their brand-name equivalents. In addition, generic manufacturers must comply with the same rigid federal standards for quality and purity as brand-name manufacturers.

"General Motors recognizes that enrollees want and need more information about the safety and efficacy of generic drugs," says General Motors Assistant Director of Health Care Plans Robert Moroni. "Through Generics First, Merck-Medco has taken an organized approach to help patients and physicians understand that generic drugs are safe and as effective as brand name drugs."

Generics First builds on the success of Merck-Medco's 1999 campaign with the National Consumers League to heighten consumer acceptance of generics. A study, which was completed as part of that effort, showed that 90 percent of patients would take a generic drug as an alternative if recommended by a physician, and yet less than 50 percent of the 1,000 patients surveyed said their doctors had spoken to them about generics.

Generic drugs, which are available for about half of all prescribed medications, are going to increase in number as newer brand-name drugs' patents expire. Generic drugs save consumers money through lower out-of-pocket costs or co-payments and are more economical for plan sponsors. Of the over 370 million prescriptions managed by Merck-Medco annually, nearly 40 percent are for generic medications.

Merck-Medco is the leading provider of comprehensive, quality, affordable prescription drug care in the United States. An independently managed subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Merck-Medco serves the needs of more than 65 million, or nearly one-in-four Americans. Merck-Medco manages some 370 million prescriptions per year for its clients through its 12 mail service pharmacies and retail pharmacy networks. Merck-Medco's clients include major corporations, Blue Cross-Blue Shield groups, insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, government health plans and unions. More information on Merck-Medco is available at http://www.merckmedco.com.

Fact Sheet: Generics First

Merck-Medco

About Generics First

-- The Generics First program is the first national generic sampling and

education program dedicated to providing high quality healthcare at

lower cost.

-- In an effort to increase awareness of the efficacy, safety, quality

and value of generic medications, Generics First will provide

physicians with educational tools and, for the first time ever,

provide access to free samples of commonly prescribed generic

medications.

-- The program will focus on four therapeutic categories:

antihypertensives, anti-infectives, gastrointestinal, and non-

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

-- In its first year, Generics First will reach over 7,700 physicians: 1)

1,700 physicians in 12 markets to receive monthly face-to-face

educational visits with trained Merck-Medco pharmacists plus the

opportunity to receive samples of generic medications via a direct

mail sampling program and, 2) 6,000 physicians to receive generic

medications via a direct mail sampling program.

-- In its pilot phase, Generics First will target the following cities:

- Los Angeles, CA - Cleveland OH - St. Louis, MO

- Detroit/Flint, MI - Greensboro (Eastern) NC - Houston,TX

- Dayton, OH - Charlotte, NC - Providence, RI

- Columbus, OH - Raleigh, NC - Seattle, WA

-- Recognizing patients' important role in the prescribing process, Merck-

Medco also will provide the physicians with consumer education

materials to help promote a doctor-patient dialogue about generic

medications.

About Generic Drugs

-- Generic drugs cost 30-60 percent less than their brand name

counterparts.

-- Currently about half the drugs on the market are available in generic

form.

-- Ninety-three (93) percent of consumers would take a generic drug as an

alternative to a brand-name drug if recommended by their physician.

-- More than 50 percent of Americans report that neither their doctor nor

pharmacist had ever spoken to them about generic drugs.

-- Generic drugs save consumers an estimated $8-10 billion a year at

retail pharmacies, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

-- According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, generic drugs

contain the same active ingredients, and must meet the same standards

for purity, strength and quality as their brand-name counterparts.

SOURCE Merck-Medco

CONTACT: Ann Smith of Merck-Medco, 201-269-5984, or e-mail ann_smith2@merck.com

Web site: http://www.merckmedco.com