Prime Therapeutics, in partnership with North Dakota State University, receives research grant from National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation recently awarded North Dakota State University (NDSU), Fargo, N.D., and its partners, Prime Therapeutics (Prime), Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND), Thrifty White Pharmacy and OutcomesMTM, a $606,000 research grant. The grant provides funding to conduct research on an innovative health care model to improve health outcomes, satisfaction and cost.

"This research project will position North Dakota as a pioneer in the movement to better coordinate care between pharmacists and physicians," said David Scott, PhD, the lead researcher on the study, and a professor at NDSU. "Research shows that when pharmacists and physicians work together, better care is delivered at a lower cost. We believe this project will lead to major improvements in the health and wellness of communities throughout this state."

The research will analyze advanced medication management strategies integrated within a statewide patient-centered medical home in North Dakota—the MediQHome program. More than 70 percent of North Dakota physicians participate in MediQHome, a nationally recognized program developed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Through this program, patients select a primary care doctor to keep track of all of their health information. Doctors collaborate with other medical professionals through MediQHome's technology tool, ensuring smarter, more efficient decisions regarding the patient's health.

OutcomesMTM's services provide pharmacists with information about patients who have medication-related issues and gaps in their treatment. Pharmacists then work with the patient to resolve the medication issues and provide recommendations to physicians to help optimize the medication regimen.

Prime supports the project with its GuidedHealth® clinical platform, which uses both medical and pharmacy data to provide information that can be used to improve health outcomes and lower overall cost of care.

In this research project, retail pharmacists will gain access to both MediQHome and OutcomesMTM technologies, giving them access to comprehensive medical and pharmacy information. They can then use that information to help patients use their medication correctly and help reduce barriers that may prevent their patients from using medication for optimal health outcomes.

"Smart use of medical and pharmacy data is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve patient outcomes and increase value for our members," said David Lassen, PharmD, chief clinical officer at Prime. "Through this partnership, data from the entire spectrum of patient care can be examined, and we can use that information to help manage cost and improve health outcomes."

The research is anticipated to begin this fall and last approximately two years. The project will be conducted by a physician-led, coordinated care team and, if successful, researchers hope to expand their approach into other health care models throughout the United States. 

About Prime Therapeutics
Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) helps people get the medicine they need to feel better and live well. Prime manages pharmacy benefits for health plans, employers, and government programs including Medicare and Medicaid. The company processes claims and delivers medicine to members, offering clinical services for people with complex medical conditions. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Prime serves nearly 20 million people. It is collectively owned by 13 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those plans. Prime has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. 

For more information, visit www.primetherapeutics.com or follow @Prime_PBM on Twitter.

SOURCE Prime Therapeutics