Express Scripts Earns New URAC Accreditation.

ST. LOUIS -- Express Scripts today announced it has earned accreditation under the new pharmacy benefit management (PBM) accreditation program established by URAC, the Washington D.C.-based independent accreditor of health care management organizations.

URAC launched the new accreditation program to create standards that promote PBM industry best practices, encourage quality improvement, and protect and empower consumers.

The accreditation standards address a variety of industry practices across the following modules: organizational quality, customer service, communications and disclosure, pharmacy distribution channels, drug use management, and formulary and pharmacy and therapeutics committees.

"We are especially pleased to be among the first pharmacy benefit managers achieving URAC accreditation," says Steve Miller, chief medical officer for Express Scripts. Express Scripts participated in the beta testing of the accreditation process earlier this year.

"As a leader in the pharmacy benefit management industry, it was important for Express Scripts to serve as one of the early participants in the accrediting process and we were committed to achieving full accreditation in the first wave of companies earning this seal of approval," notes Vern Rowen, vice president of government affairs for Express Scripts and a member of the URAC PBM advisory Committee.

Express Scripts, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESRX) is one of the largest pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies in North America, providing PBM services to more than 50 million patients through facilities in 13 states and Canada. Express Scripts serves thousands of client groups, including managed-care organizations, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, employers and union-sponsored benefit plans. Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. More information can be found at http://www.express-scripts.com.