8/16/2002

Contact: Stephanie D. Taylor
(734) 647-5483, sdtaylor@umich.edu

MICHIGAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION AND UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANNOUNCE PRESCRIPTION DRUG RESEARCH PROJECT

The Michigan Pharmacists Association and the University of Michigan Center for Medication Use, Policy and Economics announce a new research project to assist consumers with evaluating prescription drug plans entitled "Consumer Valuation of Prescription Drug Benefits."

With the probable advent of a prescription drug benefit in the Medicare program, there is growing enthusiasm for enabling consumers to select quality prescription drug plans. The Center for Medication Use, Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan, working with the Michigan Pharmacists Association, has launched this initiative to develop a "report card" that will provide consumers with a method for assessing the relative value of prescription drug plans. The project is supported by Aventis.

"Prescription drug plans are difficult to understand and choosing the most appropriate prescription drug plan is challenging," commented Frank Ascione, Associate Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Michigan. "The College is pleased to facilitate serious applied research addressing this important issue of the quality of prescription drug plans."
Franz Neubrecht, Pharm.D., Director of Pharmacy Resources for the Michigan Pharmacists Association, expressed enthusiastic support regarding the potential for providing consumers a method for evaluating the quality of the prescription plans and their relationship to pharmaceutical care. Neubrecht stated, "Consumers have long been aware of the value of full service pharmacies. There is now a growing appreciation for the value of quality service above and beyond convenience. Our hope is that consumers will be better equipped to make informed choices for quality pharmacy services, as well as quality prescription plans."

Stephanie D. Taylor, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Social and Administrative Sciences at the University of Michigan and principal investigator of the research, has dedicated her career to equitable access to pharmaceutical therapies and services. "Informed consumers enhance the probability of responsible medication use," commented Taylor at the June 14 project launch.

The initial results of the study should be available in the Fall of 2002

The MPA, serving more than 3,600 pharmacy professionals, strives to be a leader in professional and scientific advancement by following its mission of encouraging and supporting its members as the professionals responsible for the delivery of patient-oriented pharmaceutical care.

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