Idahoans covered by Regence BlueShield of Idaho soon will have to try generic antidepressant drugs before more expensive brand-names as the company works to save money.
"More generic antidepressants are available for the majority of patients," David Clark, vice president of medical services and pharmacy for Regence, said in a release.
"Evidence indicates that most antidepressants are equally effective when comparable doses are used," he said. "We're encouraging our members and physicians to consider generic drugs when prescribing antidepressants for the first time."
The costs can range from $83 for a 30-day brand-name prescription to just $30 for a generic equivalent.
Starting in September, all prescriptions for Cymbalta, Lexapro, Paxil CR, and Effexor XR will need prior authorization, the company said. If you're already on these drugs, this will not be necessary.
Instead, Regence is asking doctors to prescribe generics antidepressants such as citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, mirtazapine or bupropion SR.
