Many firms are still missing an opportunity to trim some health plan expenses.

Generic versions of high-cholesterol drug Zocor have been on market for several years now, but a fair share of employer pharmacy plans have yet to make the switch.

If your PBM gives generic Zocor favored status on the formulary, now’s a good time to remind employees:

• most people on cholesterol-control meds will get the same therapeutic value from generic Zocor as from the label brand and the more potent – and still patented – Lipitor
•  they can save $10 to $50 (or more, depending on your drug plan design) on their co-pay by switching, but
•  they should ask their doctor first. People with cholesterol levels over 200 and/or family histories of  ultra-high cholesterol may be better off staying on Lipitor.

Reason: It takes four times the amount of a Zocor-type medication  to equal one dose of Lipitor.