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Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer is kick starting another plan to reduce prescription drug costs in Montana.

On Thursday he sat down with pharmaceutical company representatives to discuss how to do it.

Numbers show that 71% of the time Montana Medicaid patients are using generic drugs and Schweitzer says that isn't enough.

"That is not acceptable, when it comes to penny pinching we like to be number one, so we are going to get there."

Schweitzer sat down with generic drug reps from Teva Pharmaceuticals to discuss how Montana can cut the cost of prescription drugs to the Medicaid program.

"We need your help, even if we are buying prescription drugs for 1/5th of what they are paying at Medicare, we need your help in getting us out of the brand business." Schweitzer commented,

Representatives say they aren't pushing Teva's products, but instead using any generic drugs instead of name brands.

"We will work with you at no cost to the state. We will help you implement some of those programs," stated Teva Pharmaceuticals Director Jerry Moore.

Teva claims if Montana increased the use of generic drugs to 80% it would have saved the state an additional $4.5 million last year.

They are suggesting Montana look at all the drugs medicaid patients are using and make sure generics are being used when available.

"It saves money. It is money that they need for childhood care, for education, for whatever the public purpose may be. That is one of the things we are trying to do is reach out to the governors and their policy makers and take an objective look at this," explained Philip Smith with Teva Pharmaceuticals.

The Governor asked the Department of Health of Human Services to work with Teva to ensure Montana Medicaid patients are using the cheaper drug.