Generic Pharmacy Online

BCBS to offer free generic drug samples

21-Nov-2006: RALEIGH - One of North Carolina's largest health insurance providers is introducing new technology that will encourage patients to turn to generic drugs over other high-priced name brands.

The new machines could drive down prices of medications.
BlueCross BlueShield has begun to introduce ATM-like machines in doctors' offices that make it easier for doctors to dole out free samples of generic drugs. While the insurance company would prefer more of its subscribers use generic drugs, doctors say the company is not the only one that will benefit from the new technology.

"One of our biggest fears is we give a patient a prescription, a lot of times they don't go to the pharmacy," said Dr. Robert Resnik of Cary Adult Medicine, the first doctor's office in the state with the new machine. "That's why we love to give them samples."

However samples are typically name brand drugs, and expensive prescriptions typically follow. That is where the new machines - complete with their free generic drugs - come in.

BlueCross BlueShield believes that the machines will not only help patients receive the proper medication, but also just might help drive down the high-prices of many prescription drugs.

"It's not so much we're trying to compete with the pharmaceutical industry – but trying to give the physicians options," said Ron Smith of BlueCross BlueShield. "So we believe this is the opportunity for the physician to have a discussion with their patient, and see if this is an alternative that will work for them."

While currently there is only one prescription machine in North Carolina, the technology is expected to spread to the Triangle in the coming weeks and across the state in the coming months.

Dr. Resnik agreed that the spread of the technology could have a lasting impact on prescription costs.

"If these things become wide spread in a lot of doctor's offices, I think they're going to have to look at this as a true competitor," said Dr. Resnik. "They will have to do something or they are going to lose their market share."

A large portion of generic drug samples that are offered are for chronic conditions, but there are also several for common illnesses.

BlueCross BlueShield insures about one-third of North Carolina, or about 3.4 million people.

Source: News 14 Carolina

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