Six Olympic Legends Battling Chronic Diseases Lead Revolution in Advancing Pharmacy Care as Medco Launches the 'Tour of ...(ual health challenges -- the same benefi...),Health

"Having an HIV pharmacist I could turn to, someone who has specialized training in and knowledge of HIV medications, would have made an incredible difference," said four-time Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis. "With the time limitations that physicians have, if I could have confided with a specialist pharmacist who knew my medical and medication history and would keep it confidential, I may have learned to better manage my HIV sooner."

Added Peggy Fleming, the world-renown figure skater who is winning her war with breast cancer: "I didn't think of my pharmacist as a resource back then. It gives me peace of mind now knowing that I can turn to Medco's oncology pharmacists, who know my medication history."

Medco estimates that 50 percent of the population -- those under treatment for chronic and complex conditions -- account for 96 percent of all drug spending, making it critical for patients to more effectively manage the treatment.

"As in medicine -- or in sports -- specialization is also the future of pharmacy," said David B. Snow Jr., Medco's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Just as specialized training was critical for each of these athletes to optimize their performance, and just as the move from generalized care to specialists transformed the practice of medicine, specialized pharmacy care helps enable patients to optimize their health. Now, millions of Americans have access to the same advanced pharmacy care that we are providing to these Olympic champions -- a new paradigm in pharmacy practice designed to improve the health of our members and lower the cost of care."

About half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug, and half of seniors take three or more, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. People with chronic and complex conditions often take multiple medications, see more than one doctor and visit severa
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