Drug coupons are commonly offered for new products to stimulate demand or ameliorate high co-pays for non-formulary (non-preferred products) as a way to level the playing field and remove the disincentive for using a drug that is not covered by insurance.
[2] In addition PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) offer discount cards that act similarly to coupons.
Insurance companies charge higher copayments for brand-name drugs than for generics in order to encourage patients to choose less expensive alternative medications when they are available.
Since Solodyn's manufacturer offers a coupon to reduce copays, patients may believe that both drugs cost the same amount.
[4] REMS programs exist because certain medicines can cause serious side effects, life-threatening infections, allergic reactions, liver damage or birth defects.
Unions have filed several lawsuits seeking to ban drug coupons, characterizing them as illegal kickbacks.