Argus Expands Specialty Pharmacy with Amber Pharmacy Collaboration

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Argus Health Systems, Inc., a leading transparent pharmacy benefits administrator, today announced that it has established a Preferred Specialty Program with Amber Pharmacy to provide expanded network options. This coordinated effort by Argus and Amber Pharmacy provides an option for health plans to provide excellence in personalized patient care for their members that require specialty pharmacy management.

This collaboration enables Argus to offer their customers an additional option when selecting a specialty pharmacy provider that goes beyond a cost effective network. Through Amber Pharmacy, Argus offers a high percentage of the specialty drugs available in the market. Combined with Amber's expertise in patient care, this offers an unparalleled care program for members.

"When selecting a preferred specialty partner, we analyzed all aspects of the Specialty Pharmacy business. Given the emphasis for health plans to increase member satisfaction and improve outcomes, we were very interested in the area of personalized patient care. Being diagnosed with a condition that requires a specialty medication is stressful to the family and the patient; we wanted to be sure our customers had the best available support to offer their members," said Jonathan Boehm, president and CEO, Argus Health Systems. "Amber Pharmacy excels in personalized patient care. Each patient is assigned a care team and every time that patient calls, he or she will speak directly to a member of their team. Amber's patient care extends to following a patient throughout the medication regimen even when a medicine is prescribed that is not available through Amber."

Mike Agostino, RPh, BSPharm, president of Amber Pharmacy, is looking forward to supporting Argus and their customers with this uniquely positioned service.  "Amber Pharmacy is very pleased to collaborate with Argus to offer specialty pharmacy solutions to patients and its health plan customers. The strength of Argus's service offering combined with Amber Pharmacy's unique service model will enable Argus customers to deliver high-quality clinical care, enhanced value, and savings to their members."

Argus is pleased to assist their customers in expanding additional services to support quality and improved outcomes through this relationship with Amber Pharmacy.  Argus' personalized service includes, but is not limited to wellness kits, member education, lab verification, prior-authorization assistance, and pharmacist availability 24/7.  With Argus managing contracting and compliance, customers can reduce administration duties and still maintain control.

About Argus Health Systems, Inc.
Argus is a leading independent provider of healthcare information management services supporting commercial, Medicaid and Medicare Part D with a business model that provides full disclosure and transparency.  Argus serves a wide range of clients and key healthcare organizations, including managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Argus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. For more information, please visit http://argushealth.com.

About Amber Pharmacy
Amber Pharmacy is considered a pioneer in providing high-quality clinical care combined with the support and counseling needed to treat complex medical conditions. Owned and operated by the Kaplan family, Amber Pharmacy is currently in its 15th year of operation. Amber Pharmacy provides comprehensive services for chronic health conditions, including transplant, oncology, hepatitis C virus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and most chronic conditions. The company is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. Amber Pharmacy's Promises Programs provide condition-specific management programs and complete customer care for patients, caregivers, family members, and providers. This comprehensive approach results in greater compliance, improved patient outcomes, and lower overall health care costs for plan sponsors and participants. 

The information and comments above may include forward-looking statements respecting DST and its businesses. Such information and comments are based on DST's views as of today, and actual actions or results could differ. There could be a number of factors affecting future actions or results, including those set forth in DST's latest periodic financial report (Form 10-K or 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such factors should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking comment. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect future events.

SOURCE Argus Health Systems, Inc.