This week's Generic News includes information on the APCI Generics Campaign, important news from McKesson, and vendor news from AIMSCO and Berry Plastics.

This week's Advocacy Update from NCPA includes information on the status of legislation dealing with Medicare; CMS decisions regarding Aetna; and steps taken by HHS to combat opioid drug abuse.

Dear Pharmacy,  

In an effort to support continued access to affordable prescription drug benefits, PEEHIP has elected – on a temporary basis - to preferentially cover the brand version of NEXIUM over generic ESOMEPRAZOLE MAGNESIUM for PEEHIP’s non-Medicare eligible members. Per PEEHIP’s direction, we request pharmacies to dispense brand name NEXIUM for all new and refill ESOMEPRAZOLE MAGNESIUM prescriptions from 04/01/15 to at least 08/18/15 for Alabama non-Medicare eligible PEEHIP members. Pharmacies will continue to receive brand reimbursement for these fills.  

Effective March 1, 2014, Prime Therapeutics (Prime) began processing Medicare Part D and Part B claims for Covered Persons of Blue Cross Community MMAI offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

Effective April 1, 2015, CountyCare will implement a new mandatory maintenance drug program. This program requires CountyCare members to fill all maintenance prescriptions for a 90-day supply. 90-day maintenance prescriptions must be filled at a pharmacy participating in US Script’s EDS network.