MCO formularies adding new products

More than 20 new drugs were added to the Fall 2000 edition of Newtown, PA-based Scott-Levin's Managed Care Formulary Drug Audit. Betapace AF™ (sotalol HCl), a cardiovascular therapy manufactured by Berlex Laboratories Inc., Montville, NJ, was the new product with the highest level of formulary acceptance, according to the audit.

Betapace AF, indicated for treatment of atrial fibrillation or flutter in patients without congestive heart failure, was on formulary at 54% of the managed care plans surveyed.

While Betapace AF appeared on the largest number of formularies, the new brand that was available to the largest number of drug-plan-eligible members was New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s Glucovance® (glyburide and metformin HCl tablets), an oral treatment for type II diabetes.

The third tier

According to Scott-Levin, 70% of panelists who had a portion of their membership enrolled in a three-tier benefit design made approved drugs not yet reviewed by the managed care plan available to members at the third-tier co-pay level.

Of the new products, Glucovance was among the least likely to appear in the more expensive third tier. Thirty-one percent of the plans surveyed that offered a three-tier benefit to their members placed Glucovance in the third tier. The drug was offered at the highest co-pay to only 17% of members enrolled in three-tier benefit plans. PR