Prevacid 24HR -- Add to Formulary?

[Pantablo]

Legend Prevacid (lansoprazole) capsules will soon be available generically. Kapidex (dexlansoprazole) is the replacement brand PPI in Takeda's portfolio. Prevacid 24HR is a 15mg dose of lansoprazole that will be sold over the counter (OTC), like Prilosec OTC and now omeprazole HCl, as a PPI for the short-term treatment of heartburn. This product will be marketed by Novartis.

Questions:

1. Does anyone know the tentative launch date for Prevacid 24 HR and the estimated selling price per dose?

2. Will your plan add Prevacid 24HR as a covered benefit?

3. Will your plan cover other branded PPIs after Prevacid 24HR comes to market?

4. Will your plan cover generic PPIs after the Prevacid 24HR comes to market?

[Nochmar]

We are anticipating a mid-November 2009 launch of lansoprazole generic and expect the price to be lower than omeprazole.

I don't think Prevacid 24 hour would be priced at a point which would make it cheaper than omeprazole, pantoprazole, or a branded PPI under contract.

I suspect we'll pass and wait for November.

[participant1]

Because it's a second OTC PPI, we are not changing how we cover prescription PPIs (generic or brand).

[Pantablo]

Has anyone seen more definitive information on the release of Prevacid HR? Initially, I heard that the release date was set for the end of November 2009 and the price point would be similar to that of Prilosec OTC. Does that still seem correct?

[Twila Johnson]

We have heard mid November 2009 for the release date of the generic and OTC versions as well.

Currently, we offer coverage for OTC Prilosec at Tier 1 on our commercial plans. On our Part D plan, it is covered at zero copay. We're tentatively planning on covering OTC Prevacid the same way. We already have Kapidex at Tier 3 and it'll definitely stay there. Our goal is to have all Rx branded PPI's at Tier 3, none at Tier 2, and OTCs and generics at Tier 1.

Does anyone know if BRANDED Rx Prevacid will be available after the OTC launch?

[diana.papshev]

Expected launch dates:
Prevacid 24HR OTC- 11/12/2009
Generic lansoprazole - 11/24/2009

Sources:
Caremark TrendsRx, 9/09
Windhover information, 9/09
Novartis investor presentation, 7/09

[chantell.reagan]

Please note today's Novartis' press release, announcing the launch of Prevacid 24HR on 11/12/09. Also of note, the Rx lansoprazole generic was launched by Teva this week.

Additional source:
WSJ 11/1/09