Categories of Prescription Drugs

Traditional drugs, also known as non-specialty drugs, are usually the ones which most people are familiar with and represent the majority of prescription drugs used. This includes medicines used to treat common conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma, and most short- term medicines used to treat acute conditions like coughs, flu and infections. Traditional drugs generally don't have special handling or shipping requirements, are available at most pharmacies, and are lower cost.
Specialty drugs are generally used to treat complex medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. These drugs include biological drugs, often require special handling, such as refrigeration, and are generally not available at the majority of pharmacies. Additionally, specialty drugs are usually higher cost.

Generic Drugs: Generics have equivalent ingredients to brand name drugs, but can cost significantly less. And eligible generic preventive drugs are covered at 100% — which means you pay nothing for these prescription drugs at network pharmacies.
Preferred Brand Name Drugs: Preferred brand name drugs have been patented by the companies that developed them and placed on a preferred drug list by CVS Caremark. They're generally more expensive than generic drugs but less expensive than non-preferred brand drugs.
Non-Preferred Brand Name Drugs: Non-preferred brand name drugs are brand name medications that are not on CVS Caremark's preferred drug list and are usually more expensive than generics and preferred brand name drugs. Often they have either generic alternatives and/or one or more preferred brand name drug options that may be substituted for the non-preferred brand name drug.