Washington, DC; 01.27.05 — Mark Merritt, President of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), issued the following statement in response to the US Department of Health & Human Services issuing the proposed rule governing electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) in the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. PCMA is the national association representing America’s pharmacy benefit managers:

“The proposed Medicare e-prescribing rule is an historic step that, over the long term, will help save lives, improve quality, and reduce unnecessary costs for millions of Americans. Medicare e-prescribing is the catalyst that will spark a health-information technology revolution throughout the entire health care system.

“America’s pharmacy benefit managers look forward to working closely with the Administration, Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, consumers, physicians, pharmacists, employers, and others to make the promise of e-prescribing a reality. In the commercial marketplace, PBMs have pioneered the most sophisticated e-prescribing infrastructure and other health-information management tools to help employers, health insurers, and others to improve outcomes, promote safety, and reduce costs.

“In the coming months, PCMA will be reviewing the proposed rule in detail and providing comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.”

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The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) is the national trade association representing America’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PCMA member companies provide pharmaceutical care management services to more than 200 million Americans.

Contact Information:
Phil Blando
202-207-3614