The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) 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., was 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., was recognized for integrating pharmacist involvement in drug benefit management to educate physicians, pharmacists, and employees about cost-effective drug therapy. The University of Michigan was 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, PBMI founder and president. “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.

The awards were presented at PBMI’s annual conference. Submit your innovative program ideas for the 2005 Rx Benefit Innovation Awards contest at www.pbmi.com/awards.asp.

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