UnitedHealth drops Nexium
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Astra-Zeneca's proton pump inhibitor Nexium (esomeprazole) was dropped from some UnitedHealth Group plans Sept. 1 and will be let go from others later this year, the firm says. The cost-sensitive measure reflects the lower-cost availability of Nexium predecessor Prilosec OTC (omeprazole), which AZ co-markets with Procter & Gamble. AZ is disappointed with the decision, saying it is not good for patients and overrides the better judgment of healthcare professionals, according to a spokesperson. The firm is not revising Nexium revenue projections. In recent years, other payors have chosen to remove Nexium and other PPIs from formularies, or to provide coverage for Prilosec OTC (1"The Tan Sheet" May 16, 2005, p. 11)...