Saving Money By Utilizing Generic Drugs Just Got Easier; New Program from The Principal...

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Principal Financial Group(R), the nation's premier provider of employee benefits, now gives members a new way to experience money-savings on prescription drugs. Through the Generic Uptake Program, The Principal(R) joined with CaremarkRx, Inc., a leading pharmaceutical

"With more than 80 brand name drugs scheduled for a generic version over the next three years, there is a potential for large costs savings," said Dr. Rhonda Koch, the director of pharmacy, the Principal Financial Group. "We worked with Caremark to find a way to make it easy for pharmacists to pass these savings on to our members."

The Generic Uptake Program sends dispensing pharmacists notification when a new generic equivalent is available for the requested brand name medication, keeping pharmacists updated on new options. This allows pharmacists to switch from the current medication to the generic version as soon as possible, so members have immediate access to a cost-effective alternative.

"Thanks to increasing education about generic drugs, the word is spreading about their overall effectiveness and safety," noted Koch. "We're committed to keeping our members informed about new ways to control healthcare costs and generic drugs are just one of the many savings options."

Generic drugs are identical to brand name drugs in dosage, safety and strength, with one major difference from their branded counterpart - cost. Safe, effective and FDA approved, generic drugs save consumers an estimated $8 to $10 billion a year(1). Members aren't the only ones who benefit from these cost savings, employers share in savings since generic drugs help lower the overall cost of prescription drugs.

About Caremark Rx, Inc.

Caremark Rx, Inc. is a leading pharmaceutical services company, providing through its affiliates comprehensive drug benefit services to over 2,000 health plan sponsors and their plan participants throughout the U.S. Caremark's clients include corporate health plans, managed care organizations, insurance companies, unions, government agencies and other funded benefit plans. The Company operates a national retail pharmacy network with over 60,000 participating pharmacies, seven mail service pharmacies, the industry's only FDA-regulated repackaging plant and 21 licensed specialty pharmacies for delivery of advanced medications to individuals with chronic or genetic diseases and disorders. Additional information about Caremark Rx is available on the World Wide Web at www.caremarkrx.com.

About the Principal Financial Group

The Principal Financial Group(R) (The Principal (R))(2) is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $187.8 billion in assets under management(3) and serves some 15.2 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

Insurance products and plan administrative services are provided by Principal Life Insurance Company, a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.

(1) Congressional Budget Office

(2) "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

(3) As of June 30, 2005