How does Aetna decide what drugs are on the preferred drug list?
Our goal is to provide a preferred drug list that gives members access to quality, cost-effective medications. The FDA-approved brand-name and generic drugs chosen for our formulary are selected based on their safety, effectiveness and overall value. Most drugs on the preferred drug list are subject to manufacturer rebate arrangements between Aetna and the manufacturer of those drugs. Aetnas Pharmacy Quality Advisory Committee (PQAC) and Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee each meet regularly to review drugs that have been approved by the FDA. The PQAC reviews available literature and other clinical information, and provides qualitative comments regarding the drugs being reviewed to the P&T Committee. The PQAC is comprised of participating providers in active clinical practice from a variety of specialties and from different locations in the United States. After evaluating information from different sources, the P&T Committee places medications in one of three categories: Categor
