NCPDP Announces Availability of White Paper: Blueprint for Improving Healthcare System Based on Proven Success in Accelerating HIT Adoption in Pharmacy Industry

Model Focuses on Patient Care and Successful Collaboration across Healthcare
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--
The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), a not-for-profit
pharmacy standards development organization, announced today the availability of
a its white paper outlining the transformation and use of healthcare information
technology (HIT) in pharmacy to improve patient outcomes and care. For the past
30 years, NCPDP has mobilized efforts across healthcare to develop industry
standards that support the level of care consumers, clinicians and pharmacists
rely on today, including:

* Real-time clinical alerts on potential allergies and drug interactions;
* Point-of-sale drug eligibility and copayments; and
* Electronic prescribing and drug utilization and formulary review to reduce
errors and enhance delivery of medications.

The white paper captures the emergence of NCPDP as a leader in bringing the
healthcare industry together to solve pressing issues that plagued pharmacists
and threatened quality of care. It presents a compelling look at how the
organization`s outcomes-focused collaboration can serve as a blueprint for
achieving the goals set forth by our administration across the entire healthcare
system.

"We at the Center for Health Transformation are proud to partner with NCPDP in
their continued efforts to standardize and implement health information
technology solutions in U.S. pharmacies. Standards for pharmacy technology will
enhance patient care while lowering costs. This white paper is an important
first step and should serve as a roadmap for the rest of the country to follow
in implementing technology solutions across a nationwide platform," said former
Speaker of the House and Center Founder, Newt Gingrich.

Lee Ann Stember, President of NCPDP, attributes the achievements in improving
patient care and the efficiency of pharmacy/healthcare systems to NCPDP`s
collaboration model, "Our collaborative efforts and consensus-based processes
engage all stakeholders-representatives from pharmacies, health plans, payers
and technology vendors-in bringing comprehensive, thoughtful solutions to
standards development. We are pleased to share our successes to continue to
improve the cost and quality of healthcare."

NCPDP`s work in advancing HIT has also preserved the relationship between
pharmacists and consumers. Real-time automation and standards development has
allowed pharmacists to focus their attention on providing quality care, and
enabled pharmacists to retain their trusted advisor role with consumers.

The white paper, "Pharmacy: A Prescription for Improving the Healthcare System,"
can be downloaded at http://www.ncpdp.org/pdf/NCPDP_white_paper.pdf.

About NCPDP

Founded in 1977, NCPDP is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited, Standards
Development Organization with over 1,500 members representing virtually every
sector of the pharmacy services industry. Our diverse membership provides
leadership and healthcare business solutions through education and standards,
created using the consensus building process. NCPDP has been named in federal
legislation, including HIPAA and the MMA. NCPDP members have created standards
such as the Telecommunication Standard and Batch Standard, the SCRIPT Standard
for e-Prescribing, the Manufacturers Rebate Standard and more to improve
communication within the pharmacy industry. Our data services include the NCPDP
Provider Identification Number, a unique identifier of over 75,000 pharmacies,
and HCIdea, "The Prescriber Identity Solution." For more information about NCPDP
Standards, Data Services, Educational Programs and Work Group meetings, go
online at www.ncpdp.org or call (480) 477-1000.

Amendola Communications for NCPDP
Lindsey Karberg, 480-664-8412 ext. 13
lkarberg@ACmarketingPR.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009