Concerned about Adverse Events HealthTrans Removes Avandia

P&T Committee Focuses on Safety of Type-2 Diabetics
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.--(Business Wire)--HealthTrans Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee recommended
removal of Avandia(R) (rosiglitazone) from its value-based formulary
effective Jan. 1 due to concerns surfacing in clinical data in recent
months. The P&T Committee also recommended moving ACTOS(R)
(pioglitazone) to the third tier of the formulary and to continue
monitoring clinical data for both products.

This class of drugs is under scrutiny by the Federal Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) because of increased adverse cardiac events
reported in some type-2 diabetic patients taking either of the
medications. The FDA has issued a "black box" warning for Avandia and
is continuing to monitor clinical data for both Avandia and ACTOS as
they are in the same category of medication.

The committee noted that the FDA has recommended that patients
taking these medications, especially those who are known to have
underlying heart disease or who are at high risk for heart attack,
should talk to their doctor about this information as they evaluate
available treatment options for their type-2 diabetes.

"Our first concern is the safety of individuals taking medications
included in our value-based formulary," said Ryan Haynes, R.Ph.,
director of clinical services for HealthTrans. "Our P&T committee
analyzed available data and weighed the benefits with the potential
risks and determined that Avandia presents a greater risk for adverse
events than benefits at this time."

In addition to Avandia, other products containing the medication
rosiglitazone including Avandamet(R) and Avandaryl(R) were also
recommended for removal from the value-based formulary. Other products
containing the medication pioglitazone including, ACTOplus met(TM) and
Duetact(TM) were recommended to be moved to the third tier of the
formulary, Haynes noted.

"Our P&T committee, which is comprised of independent physicians,
pharmacists, and nurses, is committed to always doing what is best for
the patient," said Jack McClurg, CEO of HealthTrans. "This means they
have to make some tough decisions about discontinuing drugs that they
have determined present significant risks. We have the flexibility in
our system to assist our clients in implementing the recommended
strategies while effecting smooth transitions for those members
affected by these changes."

About HealthTrans

HealthTrans, pharmacy benefits administrator, provides employers,
third party administrators, brokers, consultants, managed care
organizations (MCOs), and other payers with the tools and clinical
expertise to more efficiently manage pharmacy benefit programs.
HealthTrans' solutions use Web-enabled applications that provide
clients with the increased flexibility to manage pharmacy network
administration, benefits administration, claims processing, financial
reporting, mail order/90 day at retail programs, as well as
manufacturers' rebate processing and reporting. HealthTrans has always
offered a transparent business model that aligns our goals with those
of our clients through full-disclosure and a value-based formulary
model that focuses on the lowest overall net drug spend to help them
lower pharmacy costs. For more information about HealthTrans, visit
its Web site at http://www.healthtrans.com.

Catalyst Communications
Mary Ann McCauley, ABC, 952-401-1983
mam@catalystcomm.net

Copyright Business Wire 2007