Actonel makers pay insurer to fix fractures

The makers of osteoporosis drug Actonel are testing a program to reimburse an insurer for the cost of treating non-spinal bone fractures among women who take the prescription pill.

The move, meant to demonstrate confidence in the effectiveness of Actonel, comes as it faces new competition in the United States from lower-priced generic forms of Merck & Co’s rival Fosamax osteoporosis drug.

The Alliance for Better Bone Health, a venture between Procter & Gamble Co and Sanofi-Aventis, which makes and sells Actonel, will reimburse Health Alliance Medical Plans Inc for the average cost to treat the fractures in women who correctly take Actonel.

The plan, however, does not cover spinal fractures.

Health Alliance covers 310,000 members in Illinois and Iowa.

If the pilot program with Health Alliance is successful, the program could be expanded to other insurance plans, P&G spokesman Tom Millikin said.

CHICAGO (Reuters)