Managed Care: Fewer Vytorin Prescriptions, but No Change in Coverage

Executives at managed care companies anticipate fewer prescriptions for Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) and Zetia (ezetimibe) but no immediate changes in coverage for these medications. These conclusions are based on data generated by Cognet-X, a healthcare market research firm, after negative results from Merck's and Schering-Plough's overly scrutinized ENHANCE study were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in March.

According to a Cognet-X press release, more than 75% of pharmacy and medical executives surveyed earlier this month expect prescriptions to shift from Vytorin to generic simvastatin and, to a lesser extent, AstraZeneca's Crestor (rosuvastatin) and Pfizer's Lipitor (atorvastatin). But approximately two thirds expect few changes in coverage for Vytorin or Zetia because of formulary rules already in place, like tier placement and step therapy.