APi Medicine

Flomax® (tamsulosin) Added to Both Plans

We've added Flomax® to both API Plan #1 and API Plan #2 for qualified patients.

Flomax is a selective alpha-blocker indicated for the management of BPH.

Plan limit: 30 days

Fosamax® (alendronate): 90 day supply

Alendronate is now available for patients qualified under API Plan #1 and API Plan #2 for up to a 90-day supply per service.

Strengths covered: 5mg, 10mg, 35mg and 70mg.

For chronic care patients (where dose is likely stable), it is usually much more cost-effective to request extended days supplies, than shorter, e.g., 30 day supplies.

***Quick rule:  ask for 100 days for all relevant chronic therapies.  If our plan limits are 90 days, it will be automatically truncated without precriber involvement.  If the full 100 days are approvable, patient reaps the benefits.

Ergo, ask for 100 days + 3 refills.

All the best,

The team at API

Accuretic®, Arthrotec®, Xalatan® added to API Plan #1

Three (3) new agents are now available for our patients qualified under API Plan #1.

**Accuretic (quinapril/HCTZ)    Plan limit: 90 days

Arthrotec® (diclofenac/misoprostol)    Plan limit: 90 days

Xalatan® (latanoprost opthalmic solution)    Plan limit: 90 days or 6 vials (15ml)

Please consult our online clinical support, or contact one of our providers with any questions or clarifications relating to the prescribing of any medicine.

All the best,

The API team

**Note: Accupril® (quinapril) was already available on API Plan #1, and continues to be.

Azelex® cream added to both Managed Plans

Azelex® (azelaic acid cream) 20% is now available on both Plan #1 and Plan #2.  Azelex is indicated for the topical treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne.

Please see prescribing information both via Clinical Pharmacology monographs from within our secure site, and publicly here:

Azelex® Clinical Info

Omeprazole, Metformin, Glyburide/Metformin (Glucovance®)

Because of continued severe shortages (and concomitant price increases), omeprazole, metformin, metformin ER and glyburide/metformin (Glucovance®) have all been necessarily reduced to 30 day supplies per copay on both managed plans.  Our intent is to always offer the most generous supplies possible, and this has not changed.  We remain hopeful that supplies will increase in the coming months, such that we can again offer extended days supplies on these important medicines.

Two New Strengths of Fosamax® added to both Managed Plans

Fosamax® (alendronate sodium) has been added to both API Plan #1 and API Plan #2, 30 day plan limit.  This supplements the weekly 35mg and 70mg versions already available.  Vitamin D formulatons and the 40mg tablet are still non-fomulary on both plans.

QVAR® (beclomethasone HFA) Added to Both Plans

QVAR 40mcg AND 80mcg HFA, an inhaled steroid for prophylactic asthma management for use in patients 5 years of age and older has been added to both managed plans, API Plan #1 and API Plan #2.

Plan limit: 90 days.

Please click here for prescribing guidance: http://qvar.com

Two Additions to Both Plans: Fosamax® and Zantac® Pediatric liquid

Fosamax® (alendronate) tablets, 35mg and 70mg weekly versions only, have been added to both API Plan #1 and API Plan #2.  Plan limit: one month.  The daily versions (5mg, 10mg) and formulations that include Vitamin D are still non-formulary.

Zantac® (ranitidine) pediatric liquid (15mg/ml) is now available on both API Plan #1 and API Plan #2.  This has always been, historically, a pretty expensive medicine.  Now available with a plan limit of 90 days, we are especially gratified for the ability to now help our littlest patients.

All the best,

The API team

Metformin & Hyoscyamine: Acute Shortages

The raw ingredients required to manufacture both metformin and hyoscyamine are experiencing dramatic shortages currently. Consequently, the wholesale costs of any medicines containing either of these agents have risen concomitantly. Thus, we are forced to limit quantities/days supply on some medicines covered under our managed plans.

Affected services:

*Levsin (hyoscyamine) 0.125mg, limited to #30 per service on both API Plan #1 and API Plan #2. Please consider alternate therapies.
*Levsin (hyoscyamine) 0.375mg, unavailable.
*Levsin (hyoscyamine) drops, currently available, limited to 30ml per service on both API Plan #1 and API Plan #2.

*Glucophage (metformin short-acting), unaffected currently due to API prospective purchasing.
*Glucophage XR (metformin extended-release), unaffected due to API prospective purchasing.

*Glucovance (metformin/glyburide), limited to 30-day supply per service on both API Plan #1 and API Plan #2.

Duration of shortage(s) unknown, but some sources believe they will not ease until the end of the year.

Colorado Medicaid Covering OTC Antihistamines

Colorado Medicaid now covers both loratadine (Claritin®) and cetirizine (Zyrtec®) without a prior authorization.  Please always write prescriptions (in contrast with simply counseling patient to "purchase") for these so our qualified patients can both receive professional pharmacy services and save a great deal of money.