CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS) is cutting 17 additional drugs from next year's docket on the basis that the drugs have "generic alternatives" that are cheaper and healthier than the brands on the chopping block.

Like many of the other drugs CVS has recently dropped, most of these medicinal brands are carriers of manufacturing co-pay cards which help ease the financial burden placed on the drug recipients. Though the cards have not been directly tied to the recent slashing of medicines, the Wall Street Journal notes that the PBM industry, with CVS at the lead, has become increasingly vocal in its fight against these cards. PBMs tend to generate higher profits from generics than branded drugs, and they want to take full advantage as a big wave of generic conversions hits the pharmaceutical industry.

Regardless of the cost effectiveness of both generic conversions and co-pay cards, CVS Officials maintain that the move, while somewhat severe, is justified- a normal corporate attempt to keep drug prices low.