Express Scripts to include Lipitor on formulary

Last Updated: 2007-05-30 14:01:04 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. on Wednesday said its cholesterol fighter Lipitor will be included on the national preferred formulary of pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts Inc. under terms of a rebate agreement between the two companies.

Pfizer said Express Scripts will include Lipitor on its preferred formulary, or list of preferred drugs, beginning on June 1. The drugmaker's glaucoma medicine, Xalatan, and its arthritis treatment Celebrex are already included on the preferred formulary.

"The majority of all discounts and related revenue under the program goes to Express Scripts' clients, with specific amounts determined by individual client contracts," the companies said in a joint release.

Pharmacy benefit managers help employers and insurers manage the use of prescription drugs, including authorizations for the filling of prescriptions.