In this issue: • Injectable Medications • Arxcel Study Results Are In • Claritin OTC Arxcel, Inc. 4390 Quinby Dr. Suite D Hamburg, NY 14075 (716) 646-9292 (716) 646-6985 Fax www.arxcel.com info@arxcel.com ARXCEL can help with: Plan Design Proposals Clinical Analysis Product Line Development Sales & Marketing		Spring 2002  Arxcel News Brief  INJECTABLE MEDICATIONS THE NEWEST MANAGED BENEFIT Most benefit programs reimburse injectable medications under the medical portion of a budget, such as those typically covered by the Medicare program. A specialty injectable drug program can help to better manage and control the costs of these medications using the same approach as a managed pharmacy benefit. Specialty injectable medications do require strict attention to detail because of their special nature. Most of these drugs need unique packaging, careful handling, possible refrigeration and a very timely delivery. A specialty injectable drug program is designed to manage the costs associated with injectable medications for many diseases. Injectable medications usually comprise the highest cost therapies and are reimbursed at a higher level than other drugs. By managing this benefit, you can lower these costs and better manage the outcomes associated with the patients using these medications. You can then begin to gather and evaluate information on these drugs so that you can have increased control over the drug costs. Managing this benefit provides an opportunity for the reduction of costs associated with injectable medications by providing the needed medications at a lower cost. This program does not compromise the level of care or quality that a patient receives, only the cost of the medication. With a specialty injectable drug program, you can expect to see: Targeted pharmaceutical savings for your injectable drugs Data collection of your injectable drug usage Increased satisfaction and enhanced clinical outcomes for members Some of the disease states that are traditionally covered by a specialty injectable drug program are: Cancer HIV/AIDS Growth Hormone Deficiency Infertility Hemophilia Multiple Sclerosis Hepatitis B and C Rheumatoid Arthritis Arxcel Study - The Results Are In Arxcel commissioned a study during the first quarter of 2002 to pinpoint the opinions of executives in the healthcare industry regarding pharmaceutical costs. These executives felt that advertising and new drug costs were major reasons for the increase in pharmaceutical expenditures. You can view the complete results of the 2002 Arxcel Pharmaceutical Benefits Research Survey from the Arxcel homepage at www.arxcel.com - just click on the survey link. In addition, coverage on this topic can be found in the April 1, 2002 issue of Drug Topics on their website at www.drugtopics.com or a direct link here at Drug Topics article. GOVERNMENT NEWS Claritin Over the Counter Schering-Plough recently announced that the FDA accepted their application to give the prescription drug ClaritinÒ (loratadine) over-the-counter (OTC) status. The targeted review date for ClaritinÒ is November 28, 2002. ClaritinÒ had sales of $3.2 billion in 20011, which represented 38% of Schering-Plough's total revenue for 2001. If you have questions on how this may affect your pharmacy benefit plan, please contact Chris at Arxcel at (716) 646-9292. 1 money.cnn.com, Mar. 8, 2002. © Arxcel, Inc.