Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Recognizes Innovation in Drug Benefit Programs

[Az Pharmacy Benefit Mgmt via BizWire]

PBMI Drug Management Conference

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2004--The Pharmacy
Benefit Management Institute has awarded its 2004 Rx Benefit
Innovation Awards to recognize creative approaches to drug benefit
program management.
Pharmacy benefit manager Catalyst Rx of Las Vegas, Nev., is being
recognized for its development of member education media focusing on
consumer communication with health care professionals to promote
utilization of over-the-counter drugs. Memorial Health Services, based
in Long Beach, Calif., is being recognized for integrating pharmacist
involvement in drug benefit management to educate physicians,
pharmacists, and employees about cost-effective drug therapy. The
University of Michigan's is being recognized for demonstrating the
value of consolidating drug benefit management services across all
health plans and utilizing internal clinical resources for drug
benefit management.
"Catalyst Rx, Memorial Health Services, and University of Michigan
have focused on critical drivers of prescription drug expenditures,
taking action to change the behaviors and reduce overall drug costs,"
says Michael H. Deskin, founder and president of the Pharmacy Benefit
Management Institute (PBMI). "The efforts of these organizations to
reduce the growth in prescription drug expenditures ensure the right
people get the right drugs when needed."

Programs Encourage Use of Generics, OTC Drugs

The award-winning programs use small group meetings, educational
presentations, videos, newsletters, and personalized correspondence
and utilization reports to encourage the use of generic and
over-the-counter drugs whenever medically appropriate. All of the
winning organizations invest in effective, two-way communication with
stakeholders in the drug benefit: employers, physicians, pharmacists,
employees, and retirees, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

PBMI Educates Industry

The Rx Benefit Innovation Awards will be presented today during
PBMI's ninth annual drug utilization management conference being held
this week at the Radisson Resort in Scottsdale. The 2005 Call for
Award Entries will be posted at www.pbmi.com beginning June 1, 2004.
Three hundred U.S. benefit executives who design and administer
drug benefit programs attend the nation's premier meeting dedicated to
drug benefit management. Privately held, PBMI is an independent
organization that provides research-based education to help industry
professionals design and manage pharmacy benefit programs. Visit PBMI
at www.pbmi.com.