Who Conducted the Survey
The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) is an independent education and research organization. In 2007, we conducted our annual drug benefit plan design survey of U.S. employers in May and June. PBMI collected the survey data online and secured it in a password-protected database.

Changes in the Survey
For the first time since this study's inception in 1995, we expanded the survey dramatically. In addition to asking about trends regarding drug benefit plan design and utilization, the expanded survey asked questions about:

• Medicare Part D, specialty pharmacy, maintenance drugs, drug-specific benefit and out-of-pocket maximums;
  
• Expanded cost sharing information;
• Per member per month utilization metrics; and
• Utilization management tools, drug exclusions and over-the-counter drug coverage.
  

About the Survey Responses and Analysis
The analysis looks at surveys completed by 340 employers representing 6,187,724 members.

Note that the number of members reported by a respondent is for one representative benefit plan for which the survey was completed ... not necessarily all of the members covered by all of the benefit plans the respondent offers. For example, an automaker might have completed the survey, providing data about a drug plan for its salaried employees in North America. However, that one group would be only a part of the automaker’s worldwide employee base.

PBMI employed descriptive and inferential statistical analysis to derive the findings presented in this report. Trend data are presented throughout the report. Not applicable (NA) appears in table cells where there are no data to report.

Survey Timing
It's also important to note the timing difference in data collection for this 2007 report.

In prior years, the survey took place in the fourth quarter and results were published a year later. For example, data collected in November 2005 was reported in October 2006.

Moving forward, the research fielding and reporting will mirror the shorter (June to October) 2007 timeline to provide more timely information to the marketplace.

Survey Sponsor
PBMI gratefully acknowledges the support of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America (TPNA), Inc. for providing a grant covering the costs of producing this report.

Neither TPNA nor any third parties has access to the individual responses or raw data gathered. This protects the confidentiality of the survey respondents and ensures the independence and objectivity of this report.