Costa Mesa, Calif. – May 18, 2005 – Prescription Solutions, a national pharmacy benefit management company and subsidiary of PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. (NYSE: PHS), has earned the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ (VIPPS®) accreditation by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®).
“The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is pleased to add Prescription Solutions to its list of VIPPS-accredited Web sites,” said Donna M. Horn, NABP president. “Prescription Solutions’ customers can feel confident with their online pharmacy care because the VIPPS seal attests that the company is properly licensed and has met a rigorous criteria review that considers patient confidentiality, security of prescriptions, a quality assurance program, and patient-pharmacist consultation.”
“Internet prescribing is a growing trend that is convenient for consumers but can pose safety hazards if the Web site is not a legitimate pharmacy or does not meet the professional standards of licensed pharmacies,” said Joseph Addiego, M.D., chief medical officer at Prescription Solutions. “Prescription Solutions’ online pharmacy is the first in California to receive the VIPPS accreditation.”
The NABP developed the VIPPS program in response to the public’s growing concern about the safety of pharmacy practices on the Internet. A coalition of state and federal regulatory associations, professional associations and consumer advocacy groups developed the criteria for VIPPS accreditation.
A recent report published by Ernst & Young highlighted the growing concern among drug-industry executives who believe that Internet and mail-order prescriptions will be the biggest source of counterfeit drugs over the next five years.
“VIPPS accreditation shows that we have taken the necessary steps to assure our customers that when they purchase their medications from Prescription Solutions’ Web-based pharmacy, they can have the peace of mind knowing that their online purchases are secure, safe and confidential,” added Dr. Addiego. To receive the VIPPS accreditation, a pharmacy must first comply with the licensing and inspection requirements of its home state and in each state in which it dispenses medications. Then, the pharmacy undergoes a comprehensive investigation of its operations to ensure that it meets VIPPS’ standards for quality, safety, and confidentiality.
Medications dispensed from Prescription Solutions’ mail service pharmacy go through a dozen safety checks before reaching the patient. To further improve patient safety and compliance, Prescription Solutions’ staff of pharmacists provides individualized counsel to patients about the safe and appropriate use of their medications and offers a variety of clinical management programs to educate doctors and patients on effective use of prescription drugs.
For members who do not want to order prescriptions by mail or online, or who need medications quickly for treating illnesses that are episodic instead of chronic, Prescription Solutions also offers a network of more than 53,000 retail pharmacies throughout the United States.
According to Ed Feaver, president of Prescription Solutions and a licensed pharmacist, with PacifiCare’s recently announced intent to participate in the federal government’s new Medicare Part D prescription drug program, which will offer drug coverage for approximately 42 million Medicare beneficiaries next year, receiving VIPPS accreditation is timely.
“Millions of Medicare-eligible Americans nationwide will soon receive prescription drug coverage for the first time in Medicare’s 40-year history. We believe that with VIPPS accreditation, Prescription Solutions’ innovative online pharmacy is a resource they can depend on to deliver their prescriptions quickly, accurately and confidentially. We are pleased to receive such acclaimed recognition from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.” In March, PacifiCare announced that construction of an additional Prescription Solutions mail service pharmacy will be completed in mid-2006 and fully operational by January 2007.
About the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®NABP is the independent, international, and impartial Association that assists its member boards and jurisdictions in developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards for the purpose of protecting the public health. For more information visit the Association’s website at www.nabp.net.
About Prescription Solutions
Prescription Solutions is an innovative pharmacy benefit management company managing the prescription drug benefit of commercial, Medicare and governmental health plans, as well as those of employers and unions. A wholly owned subsidiary of PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. (NYSE: PHS), one of the nation's largest consumer health organizations, Prescription Solutions serves members through a state-of-the-art mail service pharmacy in Carlsbad, Calif., as well as through a national network of 53,000 community pharmacies. Online information can be found at www.rxsolutions.com.
About PacifiCare Health Systems
PacifiCare Health Systems is one of the nation's largest consumer health organizations with more than 3 million health plan members and approximately 10 million specialty plan members nationwide. PacifiCare offers individuals, employers and Medicare beneficiaries a variety of consumer-driven health care and life insurance products. Currently, more than 99 percent of PacifiCare's commercial health plan members are enrolled in plans that have received Excellent Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). PacifiCare's specialty operations include behavioral health, dental and vision, and complete pharmacy benefit management through its wholly owned subsidiary, Prescription Solutions. More information on PacifiCare Health Systems is available at www.pacificare.com.
Contacts:
Kim Kunody
Prescription Solutions
Dan Miller
PacifiCare Health Systems
Teri Burko
Administrative Supervisor
Scott public relations21201 Victory Boulevard, Suite 235
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Ph 818.610.0270Fx 818.710.1816
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