Customer Service: 503-243-3948 or
800-578-1402

Zyrtec® status change

Zyrtec® is changing from prescription status to an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, which means the drug is now available without a prescription. The ODS prescription benefit will not cover the cost of Zyrtec OTC. For members who take Zyrtec, the total cost of Zyrtec OTC will likely be less expensive than prescription co-payments were in the past.

New generic products expected in 2008

Many new generic products are expected to become available in 2008 when the brand-name patents expire. Generic medications provide great value for consumers and work exactly the same way as the brand-name medications. When a brand’s patent expires, many companies can compete for sales, creating market competition and bringing down the cost of the medication.

Some of the generic medications expected to become available this year include the following:

Altace®, for heart and blood pressure, is now available as generic ramipril.
Protonix®, for stomach problems, is now available as generic pantoprazole.
Fosamax®, for osteoporosis, is now available as generic alendronate.
Imitrex, for migraine, should be available soon as generic sumatriptan succinate.

If you have any questions, please call the ODS Pharmacy Customer Service department at 503-243-3960 or toll-free at 888-361-1610.

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