Good morning!
"Spring has sprung the grass is riz….
Do you know where your Claritin is?"
Yes, the allergy season will be upon us
before we can rake the road sand out of the grass near the curb.
How will this allergy season be any different than last? That
could be up to you! Most pharmacy plans have increased their
copays /co-insurance for drugs over last year while competition
has forced the price of generic Claritin way down. It is now
possible to get 90 days of loratadine (generic Claritin) for
$20. (Walmart quoted a price over the phone of $13.34 for 60
tablets.) Not too many plans have formulary copays of $7.00 or
less any more. The member would also save a physician visit
copay if they want to self-treat with the over-the-counter
stuff. (Remember that brand name Claritin was still
prescription only in the USA until December 2002).
It wouldn't be a bad idea to point out
your copay structure for the major non-sedating (Allegra,
Clarinex) and less-sedating (Zyrtec) antihistamines and compare
it the out of pocket for your members. This type of educational
effort (letter , payroll stuffer, company newsletter or
web-based article) could pay big dividends for your company and
the members. (They get a lower out-of-pocket and you get to keep
the ingredient cost savings).
You could also point out a little know
(but VERY EFFECTIVE) treatment for those who do not care to take
these drugs by mouth. Nasal Cromolyn Sodium (Nasalcrom or Intal)
works to block the release of histamine in response to a
"trigger" allergen . Spray or inhaled powder are available. The
key here is to take it for a week before the season starts and
every day, even if you don't have symptoms. The beauty is that
there are no appreciable systemic side effects.
A friend of mine developed an allergy to
grass and had to stop mowing the lawn (not an altogether
bad thing). He also had a terrible time on the golf course where
he really wanted to spend his time. After he took my advice and
began the cromolyn he has no trouble on the links (with his
allergies anyway). He still has a neighbor kid mow his lawn so
is now enjoying the best of both worlds… some extra free time
without suffering with his allergies or side effects…. and it is
costing him less than his old copays for the prescription items.
Now if he could only improve his golf game….
In summary for allergies:
1) Avoid the allergen
"triggers" if possible
2) Consider using some very
effective OTC products such as loratadine (generic Claritin) or
Nasalcrom…. they were both prescription only not that long ago.
3) If you do have to use a
prescription non-sedating or less-sedating antihistamine then
use the formulary products (lower copay) at mail order.
4) The most expensive option
is to use the non-formulary products at RETAIL
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