Aetna Pharmacy Management to Launch a Generic First Program in Response to Zocor's Patent Expiring

Business Wire, June 22, 2006

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE:AET) Pharmacy Management (APM) today announced it will encourage members to use generics first when the patent for Zocor expires this Friday. Aetna is supporting Teva Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TEVA), which manufactures the generic alternative Simvastatin, to help provide customers with continued access to affordable, appropriate prescription drug benefits and bring the generic product to market.

The APM decision means Zocor and other branded statins will be moved to a more expensive tier within its pharmacy benefits plans. To date, Zocor was Aetna's preferred statin. The move could help control plan sponsors' prescription drug benefit expenses if their employees choose to move to generics. Members who purchase the generic drug will also save because Simvastatin will be offered at the lowest copay level.

"In the long run, we expect generics to always be a less expensive alternative to the branded pharmaceuticals they replace," said Eric Elliott, head of Aetna's Medical Related Products Business, which includes APM. "The expiration of brand medication patents is an important trend that will help us better manage pharmaceutical costs for our customers."

The expiration of Zocor's patent has been highly anticipated because statin drugs that treat high cholesterol levels are among the most utilized pharmaceuticals in the United States and comprise a large portion of health plans' annual drug spend.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 28.3 million unique members with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com