Medco's Specialized Pharmacists, Safety Programs Gain Therapy Management Acc...( Independent health care quality ev...),Health

Independent health care quality evaluator determines programs improve

pharmacy care

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medco Health Solutions, Inc., (NYSE: MHS) today announced that it has been awarded URAC's Drug Therapy Management (DTM) Accreditation for its clinical management and member engagement programs that improve pharmacy care and prescription drug safety. The programs that earned accreditation include the Medco Therapeutic Resource Centers(R) that provide patients with access to specialist pharmacists trained in specific chronic and complex conditions, as well as the company's call center and front-end pharmacies.

In October 2007, URAC, an independent evaluator of health care quality, also awarded Medco its inaugural Pharmacy Benefit Management Accreditation, which recognized that Medco is clinically focused and meets quality standards for consumer protection and empowerment.

Medco, one of only four PBMs to have been awarded both URAC accreditations, is pioneering the use of specialist pharmacists to focus on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastro-intestinal disorders, psychological/neurological conditions, hematology/oncology, and pulmonary conditions, such as asthma.

"It is rewarding to obtain these accolades for our advanced pharmacy practice approach that has led to the creation of the Medco Therapeutic Resource Centers, where more than 800 specialist pharmacists provide a deep level of expertise in helping patients achieve better clinical outcomes," said Roger Anderson, Medco's chief pharmacist and senior vice president. "Our strategy of moving toward personalized medicine and increased clinical sophistication has allowed us to more effective
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