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Press Releases
More than 5,000 attend annual Retail Business Conference as company launches new tools to help independent pharmacies deliver cost-effective, personalized care to more patients
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2009 – To kick off its annual retail pharmacy trade show, Cardinal Health today launched new tools and services designed to help independent retail pharmacies improve local access to quality, cost-effective health care in their communities.
With a conference theme of “A more perfect union,” Cardinal Health used the historic backdrop of the nation’s capitol to underscore its continued commitment to creating successful, long-term partnerships with retail independent pharmacies and to continue to make health care more cost-effective so its customers can focus more time on meeting patient needs.
“As the nation’s health care debate continues to focus on finding the best ways to improve the cost and quality of health care, independent pharmacies play a critical role in providing patients with local access to the personalized health care services they need,” said Mike Kaufmann, CEO of Cardinal Health’s Pharmaceutical segment.
“We remain focused on supporting the long-term success of independent pharmacies by helping them improve efficiency, connect with new patients and deliver the health care services their communities need most.”
Key new offerings introduced at the 2009 Cardinal Health Retail Business Conference include:
- Specialized Care Centers for Diabetes, Home Health Care and Immunizations – Studies show that 20 percent of U.S. residents will be over the age of 65 by 20301, and more than 30 million will have diabetes by 20302. These statistics are fueling a tremendous patient need for home health care, durable medical equipment and diabetes products and services. Understanding that community pharmacists are perfectly positioned to deliver these personalized services at the local level, Cardinal Health launched new Specialized Care Centers to provide retailers with education, training, product recommendations and marketing tools to help them become their communities’ primary source for diabetes or home health care needs.
Additionally, because all 50 states now allow pharmacies to administer vaccinations and all new vaccinations are reimbursed through Medicare Part D, Cardinal Health also launched a Specialized Care Program to enable pharmacies to position themselves among patients and fellow local caregivers, such as physicians, nurses and assisted living facilities, as a local destination for immunization needs.
These new Specialized Care Centers also help retailers create new revenue streams, which can help bolster profitability in the face of shrinking prescription reimbursements.
- New local store marketing tools and consultation – Recognizing that the ability to create long-term relationships with new patients is critical to the growth of independent pharmacies, Cardinal Health also introduced a new Local Store Marketing offering that will help independent pharmacies develop and implement customized marketing strategies to help them expand their customer base and generate increased store traffic. The new program helps Cardinal Health customers increase their patient market share by helping them build and implement marketing plans based on individual store goals, points of differentiation and local community needs.
The company also introduced enhanced demographic research, ad design and local event planning services, as well as new customizable flyers, posters, bag clippers, print ads, radio and TV ad scripts to help pharmacies connect with new patients in their communities.
- Cardinal Health’s comprehensive and flexible generics program – The increased focus on health care costs will continue to drive demand for generic products. To enable retail independents to make generic drugs immediately available to patients, Cardinal Health also announced enhancements to its First ScriptSM generics program. The best-in-class First ScriptSM program now automatically ships participating pharmacies a 30-day supply of new generic pharmaceuticals, immediately upon each product’s launch.
About the Cardinal Health Retail Business Conference (RBC)
The Cardinal Health Retail Business Conference (RBC), held July 30 to Aug. 1 in Washington, D.C., provides independent pharmacies and pharmacy franchise owners with the opportunity to network with and learn from thousands of their peers from across the nation while gaining new insights to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their businesses. The annual event provides more than 5,000 attendees – including independent pharmacy owners, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other pharmacy industry professionals across the United States – with buying opportunities, continuing education sessions and programs to help improve patient care, efficiency and profitability. For more information, visit www.CardinalHealthRBC.com.
About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $91 billion, global company serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better care to patients. With a focus on making supply chains more efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market-leading technologies, including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing and patient identification systems, MedMined™ electronic infection surveillance service and VIASYS® respiratory care products. The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide. Ranked No. 18 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 40,000 people on five continents. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com.