Oncology Group's Pharmaceutical Services Agreement Enhances Efficiency of Drug Management...

Oncology Group's Pharmaceutical Services Agreement Enhances Efficiency of Drug
Management Program

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The physicians of
Hematology-Oncology Associates, P.C in Albuquerque, N.M., an eight provider
community based specialty practice caring for adults with cancers and blood
disorders, today announced they have entered into an agreement with Oncology
Pharmaceutical Services (OPS) to secure its oncology drug purchasing,
distribution services, and the support of an oncology-trained consultant
pharmacist.

By working with OPS, a service of US Oncology, Inc., Hematology-Oncology
Associates has access to a range of services focused on enhancing the
performance of the practice. The services are customized to the specific needs
of community-based practices and include drug management services, such as
admixture training, inventory management, enhanced charge capture, regimen
analysis, and admixture and clinical staff training and education.

"This type of support allows us to practice more efficiently and will help us
continue to provide the excellent service and quality of care that the
community has come to expect from us," said Dr. Victor Vigil, lead oncologist
at Hematology-Oncology Associates.

State-of-the-art drug distribution services and network drug contracting are
vital parts of the services provided by OPS to benefit the Hematology-Oncology
Associates practice. As a complement to these OPS services, the consultant
pharmacist is a resource who focuses on providing ongoing economic value and
process improvement support to Hematology-Oncology Associates.

The relationship brings together the expertise of seven oncologists, a
clinical nurse specialist, and many support staff with the knowledge of an
oncology pharmacist team that share a vision of optimizing practice
performance in the community setting.

About Hematology Oncology Associates, P.C.
For over 30 years, the physicians and staff at Hematology Oncology Associates
of New Mexico have been providing comprehensive care for adults with cancer
and blood disorders. With state-of-the-art treatment technologies,
cutting-edge clinical trials research, and access to a wide array of services,
the practice is devoted to providing the best possible care to its patients.

Co-founder Dr. Paul Duncan, and his colleagues Dr. Victor Vigil, Dr. Lorraine
Sanchez, Dr. Malcolm Purdy, Dr. James Lin, Dr. Lovie Bey and Debra Winkeljohn,
CNS, are committed to providing the people of New Mexico with the highest
standard of care available. In addition, two of the group's physicians are
focused on genetic screening and counseling for patients and family members
with hereditary cancers. For more information, visit the company's Web site,
www.hoanm.com.

About Oncology Pharmaceutical Services
Oncology Pharmaceutical Services (OPS), a service of US Oncology, Inc.,
includes powerful network drug contracting, state-of-the art drug
distribution, and the valuable support of oncology-trained consultant
pharmacists. In addition, OPS offers a variety of innovative tools and
resources specially designed for the complexity of cancer care, focusing on
providing economic value, clinical insight, and process improvement.

About US Oncology
US Oncology, Inc., headquartered in the Woodlands, Texas, works closely with
physicians, payers, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical equipment
manufacturers, to identify and deliver innovative services that enhance
patient access to advanced cancer care. US Oncology supports one of the
nation's foremost cancer treatment and research networks, accelerating the
availability and use of evidence-based medicine and shared best practices.

US Oncology uses its expertise to support every aspect of the cancer care
delivery system--from drug development to distribution and outcomes
measurement--enabling the company to help increase the efficiency and safety
of cancer care. According to the company's last quarterly earnings report, US
Oncology is affiliated with 1,227 physicians operating in 468 locations,
including 95 radiation oncology facilities in 39 states. For more information,
visit the company's Web site, www.usoncology.com.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.

Jennifer Horspool of US Oncology, Inc., +1-281-863-6739,
Jennifer.Horspool@usoncology.com; or Kari Young of Hematology-Oncology
Associates, +1-505-938-5858, kyoung@hoanm.com