Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - Thursday October 19, 2000
"When AHF was looking for expertise in pharmacy management and leadership in managing the medication use process, we are very proud they came to us," said Lewis P. Zeidner, Ph.D., President, McKessonHBOC MedManagement. "We look forward to leveraging every opportunity to increase compliance to therapies while utilizing the full breadth of McKessonHBOC distribution and automation services to reduce healthcare delivery costs."
"The launch of AHF's Pharmacy today takes us one step closer to completing the circle of care for our patients," said Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President. "We hope AHF Pharmacy makes it easier for our clients via this innovative 'one-stop shopping' module for medical care and pharmacy services."
The relationship created by the agreement between AHF and McKessonHBOC MedManagement brings one of the nation's leaders in pharmacy management together with the HIV/AIDS disease management expertise of AHF to provide a comprehensive healthcare program for managing HIV/AIDS.
"It's critical that HIV/AIDS patients comply with the life-saving medication regimens their providers prescribe," said Charles Farthing, M.D., AIDS Healthcare Foundation's Medical Director. "However, many patients have found adherence difficult for a number of reasons. By offering the convenience of expert pharmacy services on-site at our Healthcare Centers, we hope to increase the favorable outcomes for a greater number of our patients."
"Our goal with AHF Pharmacy is to offer high quality, timely and reliable pharmacy services to our patients right on site at our AHF Healthcare Centers to complement the medical care we provide," said Buzzy Klevens, Pharm. D, National Director, AHF Pharmacy and Material Management Services. "With the implementation of this contract, McKesson MedManagement will focus their expertise in pharmacy management to assist AIDS Healthcare Foundation in providing the best pharmacy services at the best prices for the benefit of our patients."
AHF currently serves over 4,200 California patients, regardless of insurance status or a patient's ability to pay at seven southern California Healthcare Centers, the Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr. Clinic in Oakland and the Carl Bean Center in West Adams/South Central Los Angeles. AHF plans to provide pharmacy services at each of these sites -- sometimes as a satellite of a nearby AHF Healthcare Center. Convenient and accessible AHF pharmacy services will include:
-- Sites fully supplied with medications prescribed by providers; -- One-on-one private meetings with an AHF pharmacist to discuss treatment plans; -- Personalized adherence programs, including free pagers and computerized pill bottle caps; -- Expert pharmacists accessible 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year; -- Home delivery of prescriptions.
The next AHF Pharmacy site will open November 22nd at AHF's Healthcare Center/Hollywood.
"We hope that this new collaboration creates a new standard of pharmaceutical care for this patient population," said Bill Lord, RPh, RVP Alternate Sites for McKessonHBOC MedManagement. "MedManagement is excited about the opportunity to work with AHF and add its pharmacy management expertise to assist AHF in developing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care model that can be rolled out to other states. MedManagement is committed to continuing to support the efforts of AHF and to look for opportunities to provide the best quality of services available in the healthcare industry."
ABOUT THE COMPANIES:
McKessonHBOC MedManagement
McKessonHBOC MedManagement is the leader in health system medication management and provides comprehensive clinical consulting programs and pharmacy management services. These services are focused on providing improved patient care and reducing the total cost of care. MedManagement has been serving pharmacies for over 32 years; with 170+ locations across the nation. MedManagement's parent company, McKesson HBOC, Inc., a Fortune 40 Corporation, is the world's largest supply management and healthcare information technology company. More information about McKesson HBOC, Inc. is available at http://www.medmanagement.com.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the nation's largest HIV/AIDS medical provider, serves over 4,200 patients at eight outpatient locations in California. Healthcare centers are located in the cities of Los Angeles, Oakland, Whittier, Upland and Lancaster, including the recently opened Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. Clinic in Oakland. California services also include the inpatient Carl Bean Center; WomensCare, a one-stop program for women with HIV; the AHF Research Division; Positive Healthcare, the nation's first AIDS-specific capitated Medicaid program; and the AHF Prevention Program, which includes the innovative WeHo Lounge Coffeehouse/HIV Testing Center.
The agency currently serves 4,000 clients in Florida through a disease management program with Florida's Medicaid program. Leveraging expertise and experience gleaned from creating and successfully operating Positive Healthcare, AHF's capitated managed care program in California, Positive Healthcare/Florida should improve and standardize medical care for HIV/AIDS Medicaid patients in 65 Florida counties while reducing care related expenditures.
In addition to its medical operations, AHF also operates a retail chain of thrift stores called Out of the Closet Thrift Stores which currently include 15 locations throughout Southern California.
All services are provided regardless of ability to pay. For more information visit AHF's website www.aidshealth.org.
SOURCE: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
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