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March 2019 Drug List Updates: Seventy-two (72) new generic drugs added to many Medicare Part D plan formularies.

Monthly Formulary changes · published Apr 05, 2019

As you may know, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans update their plan formularies (drug lists) throughout the plan year and the March 2019 Medicare Part D formulary updates included 198 new drugs, 53 of which are new generic drugs - with a total of 72 new generic equivalents (variations of manufacturer, drug-strength, and packaging).

Below is a full list of the new generics added to the 2019 Medicare Part D (PDP) and Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD) formularies:






Generic Drug Equivalent [Brand-Name Drug]

Number of
PDP
Formularies*

Number of
MAPD
Formularies*
ABIRATERONE ACETATE 250 MG TABLET [ZYTIGA] 55 284
ADAPALENE 0.1% SOLUTION [Plixda] 2 39
ALENDRONATE SODIUM 35 MG TABLET [Fosamax] 62 353
ALENDRONATE SODIUM 70 MG TABLET [Fosamax] 62 353
AMLODIPINE BESYLATE 10 MG TABLET [Norvasc] 62 353
AMLODIPINE BESYLATE 5 MG TABLET [Norvasc] 62 353
AMLODIPINE-BENAZEPRIL 10-40 MG Capsule [Lotrel] 53 347
AMLODIPINE-BENAZEPRIL 5-40 MG Capsule [Lotrel] 53 347
AMPHETAMINE SULFATE 10 MG TABLET [Evekeo] 1 18
AMPHETAMINE SULFATE 5 MG TABLET [Evekeo] 1 18
AZELAIC ACID 15% GEL [Finacea] 26 188
BUPROPION HCL XL 450 MG TABLET ER 24H [Forfivo XL] 3 100
CEFEPIME HCL 1 GM VIAL [Maxipime] 62 353
CEFEPIME HCL 2 GRAM VIAL [Maxipime] 60 351
CLIND PH-BENZOYL PERO 1.2-2.5% GEL W/PUMP [Acanya] 10 49
CLOBAZAM 10 MG TABLET [ONFI] 62 353
CLOBAZAM 2.5 MG/ML Oral Suspension [ONFI] 62 353
CLOBAZAM 20 MG TABLET [ONFI] 62 353
COLESEVELAM HCL 3.75 G PACKET POWD PACK [WelChol] 31 242
CYRED EQ 28 DAY TABLET [Solia] 49 287
DALFAMPRIDINE ER 10 MG TABLET ER 12H [Ampyra] 58 341
DAPTOMYCIN 350 MG VIAL [Cubicin RF] 42 288
DESOXIMETASONE 0.25% SPRAY [Topicort] 6 50
DEXAMETHASONE 10 DAY 1.5 MG TABLET DS PK [ZonaCort 7 Day] 8 89
DEXAMETHASONE 13 DAY 1.5 MG TABLET DS PK [ZonaCort 7 Day] 8 91
DEXAMETHASONE 6 DAY 1.5 MG TABLET DS PK [ZonaCort 7 Day] 8 88
DORZOLAMIDE-TIMOLOL 2%-0.5% DROPERETTE [Cosopt PF] 14 113
DROSP-EE-LEVOMEF 3-0.02-0.451 TABLET [Beyaz] 24 146
ERTAPENEM 1 GRAM VIAL [Invanz] 48 337
FLAC OTIC OIL 0.01% EAR DROPS [Flac] 41 185
HYDROCORTISONE BUTYR 0.1% LOTION [Locoid] 7 81
HYDROMORPHONE HCL ER 12 MG TABLET ER 24H [Exalgo] 4 76
HYDROMORPHONE HCL ER 16 MG TABLET ER 24H [Exalgo] 5 78
HYDROMORPHONE HCL ER 8 MG TABLET ER 24H [Exalgo] 4 76
IMIQUIMOD 3.75% CREAM PUMP CRM MD PMP [Zyclara] 6 105
ITRACONAZOLE 10 MG/ML SOLUTION [Sporanox] 20 128
KETOPROFEN 25 MG CAPSULE [Orudis] 23 173
KETOROLAC 0.4% OPHTH SOLUTION Drops [Acular LS] 62 352
LACTULOSE 10 GM PACKET [Kristalose] 7 63
LEDIPASVIR-SOFOSBUVIR 90-400MG TABLET [Harvoni] 8 103
LEVOFLOXACIN 500 MG/20 ML VIAL [Levaquin] 59 343
LIOTHYRONINE SOD 50 MCG TABLET [Cytomel] 62 353
MESALAMINE 800 MG DR TABLET DR [Asacol HD] 36 258
MINOCYCLINE ER 55 MG TABLET ER 24H [Solodyn] 2 24
MONDOXYNE NL 100 MG CAPSULE [Monodox] 42 228
MONDOXYNE NL 75 MG CAPSULE [NutriDox] 25 100
MORPHINE SULF 10 MG/5 ML Solution [MSIR] 56 333
MORPHINE SULF 20 MG/5 ML Solution [MSIR] 56 334
MORPHINE SULFATE ER 40 MG CAP ER PEL [Kadian] 6 89
NITROFURANTOIN MCR 100 MG CAPSULE [Macrodantin] 62 349
OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN 10-325 TABLET [Percocet] 62 353
PIOGLITAZONE-GLIMEPIRIDE 30-2 TABLET [Duetact] 20 191
PIPERACIL-TAZOBACT 40.5 GRAM VIAL [Zosyn] 48 307
POTASSIUM CL 10% (20 MEQ/15ML) Liquid [Kay Ciel] 62 353
POTASSIUM CL 20% (40 MEQ/15ML) Liquid [Kaon-CL] 48 315
PRIMIDONE 250 MG TABLET [Mysoline] 62 353
PRIMIDONE 50 MG TABLET [Mysoline] 62 353
PROMETHAZINE-PHENYLEPHRINE SYRUP [Prometh VC Plain] 2 136
PRUDOXIN 5% CREAM (g) [Zonalon] 10 40
QUININE SULFATE 324 MG CAPSULE [Qualaquin] 44 295
SOFOSBUVIR-VELPATASVIR 400-100 TABLET [Epclusa] 8 158
SOTALOL 120 MG TABLET [Sorine] 62 345
TADALAFIL 2.5 MG TABLET [Cialis] 3 61
TADALAFIL 5 MG TABLET [Cialis] 3 62
TELMISARTAN 20 MG TABLET [Micardis] 51 314
TENOFOVIR DISOP FUM 300 MG TABLET [Viread] 62 352
TESTOSTERONE 1.62% (1.25 G) PKT GEL PACKET [AndroGel] 37 241
TESTOSTERONE 1.62% (2.5 G) PKT GEL PACKET [AndroGel] 37 245
TESTOSTERONE 1.62% GEL PUMP GEL MD PMP [AndroGel] 37 240
TRANYLCYPROMINE SULF 10 MG TABLET [Parnate] 62 353
TRETINOIN 0.05% GEL [Atralin] 19 191
VORICONAZOLE 200 MG TABLET [VFEND] 62 353
*The number of formularies counts the unique formularies that offer this medication. As a note, the same formulary can be used by one or many different Medicare Part D plans. The same formulary can be used by both PDP and MAPD plans.



What Could the Addition of New Generic Drugs Mean to You?
  • You may be able to save money by switching from the brand-name drug to its generic equivalent – with your prescriber’s approval and a new prescription. Please note, you will need to look carefully at coverage costs as we have found that many 2019 generics are being offered on the same tier as their brand-name equivalent or the generics do not have a significantly lower retail price.

  • Your brand-name drug may no longer be available if a generic is now available. Based on past experience, you may find that many Medicare Part D plans discontinue coverage for the brand-name drug in the months following the introduction of the generic equivalent. If you have received notice from your Medicare Part D plan that your brand-name medication will be dropped, you should speak with your prescriber to determine if you can take the generic equivalent or if you must continue taking the brand-name drug, you will need to ask your plan for a formulary exception to continue coverage for your brand-name drug. You can click for a chart showing the trends in formulary coverage for some of the more popular Medicare drugs and their generic equivalents.
As a note, both our Formulary Browser (you can view all the drugs covered by a single Medicare prescription drug plan) and our the drug finder Drug Finder (you can view all the Medicare drug plans covering a single drug) have been updated with the March 2019 Medicare Part D formulary data.

Additional Formulary Drug Change Articles:

Medicare Part D Plan Formulary (Drug Lists) Updates:
June 2026, May 2026, March-April 2026, February 2026, 2026 Rx: November 2025, August 2025, July 2025, June 2025, April 2025, March 2025, June 2024, May 2024, April 2024, September 2023, August 2023, June 2023, May 2023, April 2023, March 2023, February 2023, August 2022, June 2022, May 2022, April 2022, March 2022, February 2022, August 2021, June 2021, May 2021, April 2021, September 2020, August 2020, June 2020, May 2020, April 2020, March 2020, September 2019, July 2019, June 2019, May 2019, April 2019, March 2019, August 2018, July 2018, June 2018, May 2018, April 2018, August 2017, July 2017, May 2017, April 2017, August 2016, July 2016, June 2016, April 2016, March 2016, October 2015, August 2015, July 2015, May 2015, April 2015, August 2014, May 2014, August 2013, June 2013, May 2013, April 2013, August 2012, July 2012, June 2012

New Generic Equivalents Added to Formularies:
2026 Gnrcs: November 2025 May 2024, June 2023, February 2023, August 2021, June 2021, May 2021, April 2021, September 2020, August 2020, June 2020, May 2020, April 2020, March 2020, September 2019, July 2019, June 2019, May 2019, April 2019, March 2019, August 2018, July 2018, April 2018, August 2017, July 2017, April 2017, March & April 2016, April & May 2015, August 2014, May 2014