Shirlee Zerkel: Caremark pushing brand names? What do you think?

From Shirlee Zerkel, February 17, 2007
Subject: (no subject)

Hi All,
Another negative for Caremark! A retired teacher friend of mine received a letter today from Caremark. First of all you have to know that she has a serious cholesterol problem and is on medication for it. The letter from Caremark was more than a reminder to get her cholesterol checks, take her meds and see her doctor. It definitely was a letter pushing a certain drug to her the consumer. The drug mentioned over and over again was Vytorin. The letter even contained information on the drug and also said that her doctor may receive this same letter. I call that pushing a certain drug! When did Caremark become the expert on what medications we should be taking. Are they getting a kickback for every prescription they can sell of this drug? Needless to say, my friend was not happy about receiving such a letter. She is going to copy the 3 page letter and see that I get a copy. Are there other retirees out there that have a cholesterol problem and may have received such a letter?

Shirlee