Prime Therapeutics President and CEO Eric Elliott Delivers Speech at University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Dialogues in Managed Care Leadership 2011

MINNEAPOLIS, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the health care industry evolves and the role of pharmacists grows, pharmacy leaders need a wider range of both business and clinical skills to understand and address changing market needs, according to Eric Elliott, president and CEO of Minnesota-based pharmacy benefit management company, Prime Therapeutics. Elliott spoke today to attendees at Dialogues in Managed Care Leadership 2011, at the University Of Minnesota College Of Pharmacy.

"We are at a critical time of change in our health care industry, and our pharmacy leaders are challenged to address an even greater range of business and clinical issues to help patients access the medications they need, and members and plan sponsors get the greatest value for their pharmacy dollar," said Elliott. "Our pharmacy leaders today need to understand policy issues, competition within channels, competition across channels, consumer engagement, and cost issues, in addition to clinical knowledge."

In a speech titled, "Leadership, Managed Care and Pharmacy Success," Elliott shared his own experience beginning in retail pharmacy and now leading one of the nation's largest PBMs. Delivered to a national audience of managed care pharmacists and executives, Elliott's presentation was part of a special session focused on leadership, change and learning.

"Since I began my career in this industry, I've seen leadership skills evolve. The future presents even greater opportunities and challenges for managed care pharmacy leadership and our roles will continue to adapt as we work to create new and innovative ways to improve patient health and provide the best value," Elliott added.

"Leadership is such a critical topic in our industry today as we face so many changes," said Norrie Thomas, Ph.D., MS, R.Ph, one of the eight founders of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacists (AMCP) and Interim Executive Director and CEO for the Foundation for Managed Care Pharmacy (FMCP). "This session will allow our pharmacy leaders and future leaders the opportunity to hear about the skills and experience they will need to be successful in the industry now and into the future."

Co-sponsored by the Center for Leading Healthcare Change (CLHC) at the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and the Foundation of Managed Care Pharmacy (FMCP), Dialogues 2011 was held one day prior to the AMCP 23rd Annual Meeting & Showcase which begins April 27th in Minneapolis.

Prime Therapeutics is a pharmacy benefit management company dedicated to providing innovative, clinically-based, cost-effective pharmacy solutions for clients and members.

Providing pharmacy benefit services nationwide to nearly 17 million covered lives, its client base includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, employer and union groups, and third-party administrators. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, Prime Therapeutics is collectively owned by 12 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those Plans. Learn more at www.primetherapeutics.com.

SOURCE Prime Therapeutics