Medicare Part D lifts sales of heartburn drugs, but generic use crowds out branded profits (The Daily Record)
NEW YORK - The influx of seniors enrolling in Medicare Part D's prescription drug plan drove overall sales of heartburn medications higher in 2006, but insurers' focus on cheaper drugs means generic products are eating into the market share of branded blockbusters such as AstraZeneca's Nexium.

Medicare Part D Plan Premiums For 2008 Show Continued Impact Of Strong Competition, USA (Medical News Today)
Due in large part to strong competitive bidding by health and prescription drug plans and beneficiaries' choices, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) anticipates that the actual average premium paid by beneficiaries for standard Part D coverage in 2008 will be roughly $25. [click link for full article]

Medicare Drug Program Beats Nothing, but Not As Good as VA, Employer Plans (Senior Journal)
Aug. 21, 2007 Senior citizens enrolled in Medicare Part D the drug program fared better than seniors without drug coverage, but not as well as those who relied on other coverage, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or employer-sponsored coverage, according to a study released today.

Medicare premiums show impact of competition (Ralston Recorder)
ASHLAND - Due in large part to strong competitive bidding by health and prescription drug plans and beneficiaries' choices, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) anticipates that the actual average premium paid by beneficiaries for standard Part D coverage in 2008 will be roughly $25. This is nearly 40 percent lower than originally projected when the benefit was established in 2003 ...