Executive Summary

ZOVIRAX DUAL Rx/OTC STATUS SUGGESTED as a way of maintaining insurance coverage for the medication in April 29 comments by the American Medical Women's Association supporting the switch of the orally administered genital herpes drug. Indicating that increased cost to patients of an OTC version of Zovirax (acyclovir) may be an issue in the switch process, AMWA President Kathryn Bemmann, MD, suggested that "Medicaid and insurance coverage for the medication...be continued for individuals who are currently using 'covered' prescriptions." She added that "perhaps a dual status of OTC and Rx could be maintained."