PBMI Drug Benefit Conference to Address Complex Industry Issues.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Drug pricing methodologies, accreditation of pharmacy benefit managers, contracting in an era of transparency, Medicare Part D, value-based drug benefit designs and emerging technologies will be among many of the complex issues discussed by industry experts at the 12th annual Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference hosted by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI.) The meeting, dedicated to curbing costs and maximizing quality in drug benefit programs, will be held Feb. 21-23, 2007, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix.

"Our programming goal is to showcase innovation in the industry to help those responsible for drug benefit programs make the best decisions for their organizations," says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. "The conference also is a forum for sharing best practices. Many sessions feature case studies with proven strategies attendees can implement in their own organizations to manage costs and increase the value of the drug benefit."

PBMI's conference programming addresses the needs of employers and other organizations that sponsor drug benefit programs for employees, retirees, union groups, trusts or health plan members. In addition to 10 general sessions, the 2007 PBMI conference will feature 12 breakout sessions organized into three tracks: cost savings strategies, industry trends, and special populations. An educational forum cafe will be introduced to encourage networking and allow attendees to collect research reports, monographs and other reference materials on drug benefit topics.

Agenda Available Online

A complete agenda, speaker information, and registration for the conference is available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp/. There is a $100 discount on registrations received before Dec. 15, 2006.

Experts from many organizations will speak at the PBMI conference including Carden & Associates; CIGNA Pharmacy Management; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Consumers Union; Dean Health Plan; DeNucci Enterprises; Duane Reade; Evergreen Rx; Gorman Health Group; Health Affairs; Health Strategies Associates; HealthTrans; Humana Inc.; Interface EAP; James Boyd & Associates, Ltd; JI Companies; Medco Health Solutions; Mercer Health & Benefits; Navitus Health Solutions; Partners Rx Management; PrevsaE[bar]de; RegenceRx; St. Joseph's Hospital; University of Michigan Medical Center; URAC; and U.S. Department of Justice.

Continuing Education Credit

The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, will award 11.4 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit to attendees. CE credits for human resource and benefits professionals also will be available.

The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com.