Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) helps industry professionals manage pharmacy benefit programs through research-based drug benefit education.

Depression is a leading cause of absenteeism and low productivity in the U.S. workforce. Studies estimate that employees affected by depression miss an average 22 to 32 work days per year, and sustain an average of $1,000 to $2,000 higher annual medical costs than other employees. When they receive adequate treatment, employees with depression have higher rates of productivity and lower absenteeism.

Advances in drug therapy have improved outcomes for those who suffer from depression. Many of these medications now are available as low-cost generics. Employers who invest in benefit programs that provide effective antidepressant therapies integrated with counseling and disease management will realize a return on the investment.

Learn how to calculate the hidden cost of depression in your employee population. Understand “best practices” in managing drugs to treat depression. Earn Continuing Pharmacy Education credit.

This Webcast is designed for human resource and benefits professionals, pharmacists, PBM executives, and consultants. After participating in this Webcast, the attendee should be able to:

• Evaluate the true cost of depression in the workforce

• Calculate the cost and productivity savings of improving treatment of depression in
employee populations using a Web-based depression calculator

• Describe standard of care for treating depression with medication and counseling

• Contrast and compare cost of commonly prescribed generic and brand-name
anti-depressant medications

• Interpret current rebate climate when branded agents dominate class

• Utilize management strategies for appropriate use of antidepressant medications

Sheryl Bronkesh, MBA, is president of The HSM Group, which developed the Productivity Impact Model for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). The firm has developed several innovative economic modeling tools. Bronkesh pioneered the application of relationship marketing and customer loyalty principles in health care. She excels at designing and using qualitative and quantitative research to help organizations market successfully to new and existing customers. Bronkesh consults with national health care associations, hospital systems, and pharmaceutical companies. She has interviewed hundreds of senior health care and human resources executives throughout the country to identify their critical issues and decision-making behaviors. Her knowledge and relationships in all health care market segments are highly valued.

Brett Plummer, PhD, is research director of The HSM Group. He has expertise in data management and multivariate data analysis. He also adds value to HSM through his experience with complex research designs, questionnaire development and report writing. Earning his PhD from the University of Rhode Island, Brett's emphasis was in research methodology and quantitative analysis. Brett is co-author of seven journal publications and lead author of 12 conference presentations.

Clay Rhodes, PharmD, MBA is manager of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee at Humana Inc. Earning his Pharm.D. from the University of Kentucky, Dr. Rhodes' clinical interests are focused on collaborative care, medication usage evaluation, and patient safety. He has expertise in Behavioral Health, as well as several other disease states. Dr. Rhodes has clinical experience in many practice settings including hospital, community and consulting pharmacy services.