U of M has the edge on us! When will we learn?

From John Curry, January 15, 2007

Subject: U of M presented Rx Benefit Innovation Award

Several month ago, I sent a letter to Damon in re. to the U of M Rx program. Now, I see that the U of M has received an award for their "out of the box" progressive thinking in designing their own Pharmacy Benefits Management system. Wouldn't it be nice if all Ohio retirement systems would address this problem with the same dedication that the U of M did? We could take a lesson. John

U-M Receives the Rx Benefit Innovation Award

The University of Michigan was one of three organizations presented with the Rx Benefit Innovation Award recognizing creative approaches to drug benefit program management. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) presented the awards on April 29 during PBMI's annual drug utilization management conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. PBMI is an independent organization providing research-based education for the design and management of pharmacy benefit programs.

U-M 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. All of the organizations being honored focused on the critical drivers behind rising prescription drug expenditures and took action to change behaviors and reduce costs, said PBMI Founder and President Michael H. Deskin. "The efforts of these organizations to reduce the growth in prescription drug expenditures ensures the right people get the right drugs when needed," said Deskin.

More information on U-M's prescription drug program can be found on the Web at:

http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/plans/drugs/