Armada Health Care Forges New Territory for Specialty Pharmacy at Annual Summit.

SHORT HILLS, N.J. -- Armada Health Care, a leading organization focused on the Specialty Pharmacy trade class, recorded groundbreaking attendance and industry accolades at their 3rd Annual Specialty Pharmacy Summit, "Seizing Specialty Pharmacy's Future Today", held earlier this month in Las Vegas. The only Summit of its kind - focused solely on the Specialty Pharmacy market - set new records for participation, and drew broad industry representation, with more than 300 specialty pharmacy professionals and 30 leading pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers in attendance.

According to Lawrence Irene, RPh and Armada CEO and co-founder, "Specialty Pharmacy is rapidly evolving, and solutions need to be developed now to address this market. This Summit serves as the perfect conduit to bring together those industry stakeholders who can help affect change." Participants included Armada members representing over $7 billion in Specialty Pharmacy spend, and ranged from national, multi-state pharmacies, to local pharmacies operating within a single location.

Summit Addresses Industry Challenges and Opportunities

Working together during this three-day Summit were industry stakeholders, including payers, providers, manufacturers, lobbyists, wholesalers, packaging and specialty consultants. Attendees identified and discussed key topics such as:

* New Class of Trade Designation - Attendees discussed if a new class of trade designation was warranted, based on emerging marketplace realities demonstrating that physicians and Specialty Pharmacies are the primary classes of trade that can influence market share.

* Redefining Specialty Pharmacy - Based on industry feedback, Armada released a comprehensive definition for Specialty Pharmacy that encompasses the Delivery Channel, the Business and Service Model, along with Patient Satisfaction. To obtain a copy of this definition, please email: [e-mail].

* Product Launch Strategy Models - Pros and cons associated with different product launch strategy models were discussed, along with hidden opportunities available to pharmacies and manufacturers.

* Adherence and Compliance Strategies - Specialty Pharmacy providers play an important role in helping patients and providers address adherence and compliance issues.

* Biotech Generics and the FDA - Challenges within this new drug source were highlighted, along with FDA issues.

* Armada Specialty Pharmacy Network (ASPN) - Discussions with many payers demonstrated strong interest in a turnkey solution through which health plans, PBMs and other payer types can access credentialed Specialty Pharmacies nationally through a seamless network.

"The Summit was one of the best I've recently attended because it focused on the unique new growth opportunities associated with Specialty Pharmacy. The educational forums really allowed attendees to voice their individual concerns, dive into key topics and formulate solutions for driving new business in a lot of exciting new directions," stated Jeff Spafford, President of Advanced Care Scripts.

About Armada Health Care

Armada Health Care, a leader in the field of Specialty Pharmacy, works with pharmacies, manufacturers, wholesalers, physicians and payers to cultivate strategic alliances and innovative pull-through initiatives to benefit patients nationwide. Armada has a large and growing number of Specialty Pharmacy members throughout the country; this base accounts for nearly $7 billion in annual Specialty Pharmacy spending, which represents approximately 20% of the Specialty Pharmacy market.

Armada's unparalleled success is driven by pioneering Specialty Pharmacy contract strategies that provide enhanced profitability and prescription information management solutions. Armada also provides sophisticated and fully implemented data collection systems, as well as comprehensive industry reporting that complements its strategic focus on the Specialty Pharmacy marketplace.