Crestor Benefit Program now covers the difference in cost between generic & brand
HALIFAX, May 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian pharmaceutical manufacturer, AstraZeneca, modifies the recently launched Crestor Prescription Benefit cards to cover the difference in cost between brand Crestor and generic rosuvastatin calcium, enabling physician, pharmacist and patient choice.
STI and AstraZeneca launched Prescription Benefit cards across Canada in February providing a financial benefit for Crestor patients in order to improve adherence. All current and future Crestor cards will now provide an additional benefit to cover the difference in cost between generic and brand. To provide instant access to the program, AstraZeneca has also launched a website where physicians, pharmacists and patients can download a card (crestorsupport.ca).
"A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help prevent the need for cholesterol-lowering medication. However sometimes these measures are not enough," says Dr. Milan Gupta, Cardiologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. "Empowering physicians to choose the drug they believe is best for their patients is incredibly important, especially for drugs that treat asymptomatic conditions, like high cholesterol. Appropriate therapy in this setting can substantially lower the risk of heart attack and stroke."
STI programs provide continuity of care and improve adherence for patients taking these medications.
"The patient benefit programs are well designed for ease of use within the pharmacy and help to enhance patient loyalty for those who, by choice or personal requirement," says Don Kyte Pharmacist from Nova Scotia, "prefer to maintain therapy on a current medication, rather than be switched to an imposed generic."
The Crestor Prescription Benefit Program is currently available across Canada, except the provinces of Quebec and Manitoba, and must be accompanied by a prescription.
Image with caption: "Crestor Patient Benefit Card (CNW Group/STI Technologies Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120529_C3418_PHOTO_EN_14281.jpg
Image with caption: "Crestor Downloadable eCard (CNW Group/STI Technologies Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120529_C3418_PHOTO_EN_14282.jpg
For questions or more information on the Crestor Prescription Benefit Program please contact STI customer service at [email protected] or 1-877-790-1991.
Mary Jane Leslie, Marketing Associate, STI
Tel: 902-442-2071
[email protected]
www.smartsti.com
About STI Technologies Limited
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