Chronimed Launches Life Management Programsm For Transplant Members
NEWS RELEASE MINNEAPOLIS, January 11, 1999 -- Chronimed Inc. (Nasdaq: CHMD), announced today the launch of The Life Management ProgramSM for Transplant Members, a program that will, if followed, decrease the likelihood of organ rejection due to medication non-compliance. Following solid organ transplantation surgery, patients are placed on complicated medications. Patients not adhering to their prescribed drug regimen face an increased risk of organ rejection, leading to potential organ loss and re-transplantation.
Approximately 130,000 individuals are now living with transplanted organs in the U.S., at a cost of over $1 billion per year. Preventable healthcare costs due to non-compliance of medication regimens are currently estimated to be in excess of $100 million per year for transplant recipients in the U.S. The current costs of complete organ rejection and ensuing transplantation range from $80,000 to $300,000 per patient. Chronimed's Life Management Program is specifically focused on educating the patient and directing medication-taking behavior to prevent avoidable organ rejection.
"Our new proprietary Life Management Program for Transplant Members is really the first-of-its-kind for comprehensive medication management for this patient population," explains Henry F. Blissenbach, Pharm.D., Chronimed's president and COO. "We plan to be the leader in this market and truly make a positive difference in people's lives."
The Life Management Program is offered exclusively and at no cost to patients enrolled in Chronimed's transplant system. Members will receive education packets (available for both English and Spanish speaking members), placement in the Adherence Management System, and adherence tools. Patients are called five days prior to their refill dates, with follow-up contact if necessary. Physicians and healthcare professionals will be notified when patients are non-compliant.
Other benefits from The Life Management Program include patient education, coordination of benefits, improved medical outcomes, and lower overall healthcare costs. Healthcare professionals providing care and payor organizations will receive utilization and adherence data and information.
Individuals interested in enrollment may call Chronimed toll-free at 800-888-5753 for assistance. Healthcare professionals and payor organizations may call Chronimed toll-free at 888-454-7270 for further information.
Chronimed Inc. is a leading integrated healthcare company specializing in diagnostic products, specialty pharmacy services, and disease management for people with chronic health conditions. The Company develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostic products, and provides specialized patient management services nationwide for people with long-term chronic conditions such as organ transplants, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and diseases treated with injectable medications. Chronimed works directly with patients, providers, and payors to improve clinical and cost-of-care outcomes. Chronimed's web site address is www.chronimed.com.
As a cautionary note to investors, certain matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; the Company's ability to execute its sales and marketing plans; changes in the status of managed care contracts; and the risks described from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.