McKesson Launches PATH Pro™ Post-Acute Therapeutics Formulary Management Program for LTC Pharmacies

Helps LTC Pharmacies Enhance Geriatric Formularies to Ensure Patients
Have Access to the Best Generic Medications Possible to Maximize
Clinical Outcomes

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–McKesson Alternate Site Pharmacy℠ announced the launch of the PATH Pro™
Post-Acute Therapeutics Formulary Management Program for long-term care
(LTC) pharmacies. PATH Pro™ offers easily accessible,
third-party-reviewed clinical information that designates which of the
most commonly dispensed generic drugs in the LTC setting are preferred
and non-preferred for geriatric patients to help reduce drug-related
hospital readmissions and minimize adverse events, reactions and
complications.

PATH Pro™ is designed to offer independent LTC pharmacies credible
clinical expertise and guidance to become smarter, more strategic
partners to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) while maximizing clinical
outcomes by ensuring that the best generic drugs possible are prescribed
to geriatric patients. McKesson worked with Creighton University Center
for Drug Information and Evidence Based Practice, a nationally
recognized drug information service, to determine which of the most
commonly prescribed generic drugs are preferred and which are
non-preferred for geriatrics. Creighton conducted extensive clinical
research utilizing established industry lists, standards and other
recognized sources, as well as its own drug information expertise, to
determine preferred designations. Key features include:

• Preferred drug list — Over 250 generic drugs across nearly 23
  therapeutic classes, in three formats, customizable with pharmacy
  contact information. The data will be updated regularly as new generic
  drugs are released and as updates to a drug’s preferred/non-preferred
  status occur. The list will continue to expand to other therapeutic
  classes and disease states.
• Preferred/non-preferred indication for geriatric patients
  — Easily identify the right drugs for this patient population on the
  drug list and within the ordering function in McKesson Connect,
  McKesson’s online ordering system.
• Drug monographs — For every generic drug reviewed, Creighton
  has created individual drug monographs with references to support the
  preferred/non-preferred designation.

“On average, geriatric patients take 12 prescription medications — 9
generics and 3 brand. While seniors only make up about 15% of the U.S.
population, they use about 40% of prescription medications. Despite
this, there have not been any comprehensive tools to help independent
pharmacists make clinically sound decisions about which drugs are
preferable for maximizing clinical outcomes in geriatric patients,” said
Rich McKeon, MBA, vice president, McKesson Alternate Site Pharmacy.
“McKesson’s long-term care pharmacy customers can use the preferred drug
lists and corresponding drug monographs to standardize dispensing across
their consultant pharmacists and the facilities they service, and inform
their SNF customers of which generic drugs are preferred for geriatric
patients to help increase clinical outcomes, decrease adverse events,
and ultimately, help reduce readmissions.”

In addition to the clinical benefits, PATH Pro™ helps independent
pharmacists attract and retain patients. According to Mark Prifogle,
HFA, LNHA, FACHCA, chief executive officer and group president of
GrandView Health Services, “McKesson’s PATH Pro™ allows independent LTC
pharmacies to compete … with an evidence-based, value-driven formulary,
which is essential for customer retention and new business development.
Having a reputable partner like Creighton University conduct the
necessary research to keep this document relevant is invaluable. PATH
Pro™ is the difference between getting and keeping business or losing
business.”

For more information, please visit our website at www.mckesson.com/path-pro

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 11th on the FORTUNE 500, is a
healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to
making the business of healthcare run better. We partner with payers,
hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and
others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that
deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its
customers improve their financial, operational and clinical performance
with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply
management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical
services. For more information, visit mckesson.com.

Contacts

McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical
Melissa Smith, 415-983-7508
Melissa.Smith@mckesson.com