Drug Information

Drug Withdrawal

On April 8, 2009, the manufacturer Genentech formally announced a voluntary United States withdrawal of Raptiva®, an injected medication for individuals with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

This is taking place due to an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients on Raptiva therapy. PML is a viral infection that affects the brain and the central nervous system. It often targets people whose immune systems have been weakened.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

As of June 8, 2009, Aetna will cease coverage for refills of Raptiva, which is currently accessible through in-network specialty pharmacies, including Aetna Specialty Pharmacy. Effective immediately, no new prescriptions for Raptiva can be filled.

Impacted members are asked to please contact their prescribing physician for direction about how to:

• Stop treatment with Raptiva in an appropriate manner, and
• Proceed with a new treatment plan going forward.

After speaking with one's physician, members may find that they have a remaining supply of Raptiva that they no longer need to take. In this case, members can call Raptiva Access Solutions at 1-866-480-7762. A Genentech representative will explain what to do with the extra medication.

Other alternative psoriasis medications will continue to be covered and available through Aetna Specialty Pharmacy and other in-network pharmacies. Alternative medications can be found on our Preferred Drug List (formulary) at www.aetna.com/formulary. 

Aetna has communicated this situation internally to prepare staff members to answer any questions members or their physicians might have. Letters have mailed to members and physicians who may be impacted by this situation.

Drug Recall Alert

On March 31, 2009, Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd., a generic pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of the heart medication digoxin, announced a voluntary consumer recall of all tablets of Caraco's digoxin 0.125mg, a scored round biconvex yellow tablet imprinted with "437", and digoxin 0.25mg, a scored round biconvex white tablet imprinted with "441," which were distributed prior to March 31, 2009, which are not expired and are within the expiration date of September 2011.

The tablets are being recalled because they may differ in size. So they could have more or less of the active ingredient, digoxin. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

Aetna has ceased coverage of Caraco's digoxin 0.125mg and digoxin 0.25mg tablets. Aetna will allow coverage for members to refill with another generic digoxin right away so that they can quickly replace their recalled medication. Impacted members should talk to their doctor immediately. Members who have a supply of the recalled Caraco digoxin on hand are also asked to please contact the manufacturer at 1-800-818-4555 (option #5) for instructions.

Please note that there are other manufacturers who also produce a generic version of digoxin who are not involved with this recall. Alternative medications can be found on our Preferred Drug List (formulary) at www.aetna.com/formulary. 

Aetna has communicated this situation internally to prepare staff members to answer any questions you or your doctor might have. Letters have gone out to members and doctors who may be impacted by this situation. Aetna has also alerted retail pharmacies within the Aetna network that may have dispensed the recalled digoxin to an Aetna member.