FastMed Urgent Care and MedVantx Offer Consumers First Ever Access to Free Samples of Medications through an Automated Medication Cabinet Across North Carolina's Largest Network of Urgent Care Centers

SAN DIEGO and CLAYTON, N.C., March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MedVantx, Inc. and FastMed Urgent Care, P.C., the largest network of urgent care centers in North Carolina, today announced they have partnered to provide patients the option of receiving free, full course samples of generic prescription and over-the-counter medications at the point-of-care (POC) in FastMed clinics. The MedVantx MedStart™ Connect Program will be offered in all 30 FastMed urgent care centers in North Carolina and all future North Carolina FastMed urgent care centers.  

The MedStart Connect program begins with samples provided by the prescriber directly to the patient through the proprietary automated "ATM-like" medication management system, the MedStart™ cabinet, which is in each FastMed clinic.  The MedStart Connect program supports patients and helps ensure they are taking their medications properly by, upon receipt of authorization, calling them shortly after their FastMed visit to remind them to refill their chronic prescriptions via either a retail pharmacy or an optional home delivery program. A recent study by the New England Healthcare Institute estimated that $290 billion, or 13% of all U.S. healthcare costs are attributable to medication non-adherence.

"We are pleased to provide patients in North Carolina with full course sample medication options at our urgent care centers through our partnership with MedVantx. The convenience and availability of these full course sample medications at the point-of-care, right in our FastMed clinics, will help promote medication compliance and better health care outcomes for our patients," said Jason A. Williams MPAS, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Eastern Region and Founder of FastMed.

"MedVantx is focused on eliminating gaps in primary medication adherence by ensuring patients get the proper medication in hand at the point-of-care and that they remain on that therapy over time through an integrated, convenient and cost-effective home delivery platform," said Rob Feeney, MedVantx CEO and Founder. "Our program is particularly well suited to the urgent care setting, where immediate access to appropriate medication is critical to begin the healing process and follow-up ensures continued health."  

About MedVantx, Inc.

MedVantx is an innovative medication management and delivery company committed to streamlining access, reducing healthcare costs, increasing medication adherence, and enhancing patient satisfaction while improving patient quality of care and outcomes.  The MedStart Connect program provides for a fully-automated, integrated, point-of-care to consumer home delivery channel focused on increasing the quality and cost effectiveness of the last non-managed pharmaceutical channel – the physician office sample closet.  MedStart Connect includes free initial therapy samples of prescription and over-the-counter medication at the point of care, a consumer helpline providing drug information, adherence management services, and convenient consumer home delivery through its mail order pharmacy.  The national MedVantx network has served over 3.5 million consumers through an integrated network including health plans, manufacturers and more than 3,500 prescribers in diverse care settings. Visit us at www.medvantx.com.    

About FastMed Urgent Care, P.C.

FastMed Urgent Care is a North Carolina-based owner and operator of urgent care facilities with locations throughout North Carolina and Arizona.  FastMed focuses on the delivery of non-appointment based medicine to the non-emergency patient market. The urgent care centers are open 365 days a year and are staffed with experienced and licensed physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. For more information, please visit www.fastmed.com. FastMed is managed by an affiliated entity of one of the investment funds of the Comvest Group.

About the Comvest Group

The Comvest Group, with $1.2 billion of assets under management, provides flexible financing solutions to lower middle-market companies through its equity and debt funds, often meeting time-critical and complex funding requirements.  The firm includes seasoned, senior level operating executives who partner with managers and owners of companies to operationally improve businesses and create long-term value. Since 2000, Comvest has invested more than $1.5 billion of capital in over 105 public and private companies.  For more information, please visit www.comvest.com.

SOURCE MedVantx, Inc.