The Wellfleet clinical team continuously evaluates the pharmaceutical landscape for the benefit of our clients and student members. Further, we consider the latest clinical and financial information to identify impacts on our Student Formulary to ensure we’re providing student members with the best options to meet their prescription drug needs.
As a result of this process, we recently took a deep dive into generic savings opportunities, optimizing our $0 copay drug list, and general enhancements to the formulary to ensure the most cost-effective, clinically proven medications are prioritized. Find out what updates we’ve made as of July 2022.1
Wellfleet Rx enhancements effective July 1, 2022
HIV PrEP
To help improve care and reduce out of pocket costs, recently approved injectable Apretude has been added to the formulary as an ACA preventive drug with $0 copay for PrEP utilizers. Apretude requires an intramuscular injection every two months rather than a daily tablet, decreasing the likelihood of missed doses and increasing efficacy.
Naloxone nasal spray
To continue to provide life-saving medications and reduce plan costs, we’ve replaced brand Narcan® with the lower cost generic naloxone nasal spray on the $0 copay drug list. According to the FDA, the generic version of naloxone includes the same active ingredients as Narcan® and is shown to have the same therapeutic effect.2
Clindamycin Phosphate – Benzoyl Peroxide Gel
Our pharmacy data shows high utilization of acne medications among the student population. That’s why we currently offer a variety of options on our $0 copay drug list. Evidence shows that Clindamycin Phosphate – Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (1.2-5%) is clinically proven to work as well as other high cost topical or oral agents. 3 Further, studies show it has a high level of patient satisfaction, including significant improvements in factors that affect quality of life for those young adults dealing with acne.3 So, we’ve added it to the $0 copay drug list to incentivize its use.
Quantity limits for Isotretinoin and Abilify Maintena
Other notable updates are the addition of FDA approved quantity limits on Isotretinoin® and Abilify Maintena®. Reviewing our utilization data uncovered that sometimes these medications are dispensed at higher levels than needed, leading to either wasted medication or unsafe use. Because these products can be costly, we’re ensuring proper dispensing guideline adherence to help reduce waste while also helping reduce plan costs.
Dexlansoprazole
In a proactive move, we’ve added the generic Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) form of Dexilant®, dexlansoprazole to the formulary. This was done to provide an effective gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment for student members that is not yet available over the counter, that can also save plans 15-20% per fill, when compared to the name brand equivalent.4
What’s noted above are some of the most significant updates to the Wellfleet Student formulary as of July 1, 2022. There are some additional updates, including replacements of brand products with their recently released generic counterpart. For a complete listing of the July 2022 formulary updates, visit WellfleetRx.com.
Citations
1Zero Cost Drugs program may vary by school or may not be available to certain schools. See applicable Student Formulary for more details. If there is no “Zero Cost Drugs” section included in the Student Formulary applicable to your plan, this program is unavailable.
2 Meyer. L. (2019, April 19). FDA approves first generic naloxone nasal spray to treat opioid overdose. Retrieved on June 28, 2022 from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-generic-naloxone-nasal-spray-treat-opioid-overdose.
3 Gold, M., M.D. (2012, January). Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% and Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel for the Treatment of Moderate-to-severe Acne. Retrieved on June 28, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277091/.
4 Savings can vary by plan design. Plan savings calculated from 20-21 plan data and prescription medication pricing available as of May 1, 2022.
