News Summary: New coupons counter generic drugs

The Associated Press

DRUG DEALS: In a new trend, some drugmakers are offering coupons for billion-dollar drugs as generic copycats hit the market. The deals can reduce copayments for the brands to what a generic would cost patients.

POPULAR PRESCRIPTIONS: Coupons are available right on the websites of cholesterol fighter Lipitor, blood thinner Plavix, blood pressure drug Diovan and several other widely used medicines.

STAUNCHING THE BLEEDING: The drugmakers are trying to slow the loss of billions in revenue from patients switching to cheaper generic pills.