SOUTH PORTLAND (AP) – Maine’s largest health insurer announced Tuesday an incentive program intended to encourage the use of generic drugs in place of their more expensive brand-name counterparts.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield said its GenericSelect program will provide eligible members with up to four months of popular generics for free if they switch from higher cost drugs. Members who begin with select generic medicines will receive their first prescription at no cost.

The announcement referred specifically to the addition of simvastatin, the generic version of Zocor, to the list of drugs available under GenericSelect.

Anthem announced Monday it will offer members four months of free simvastatin, a move analysts say is intended to curb spending on Lipitor, the patent-protected market leader.