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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the proposed rule defining "meaningful use" criteria for certified electronic health records. Hospitals must have three months of data using an EHR system in order to qualify for initial incentives by 2011. Health systems that do not meet the criteria for meaningful use by 2015 will be penalized, and not receive their full Medicaid or Medicare program fee schedules.

One of the challenges facing hospitals in certification is the potential gaps in data because of inefficient workflow processes. PHS' multi-disciplinary team of consultants is positioned to assist hospitals in evaluating and implementing workflow processes. The Rapid Clinical Adoption uses unique methodologies and processes that have been successfully used in hospitals to improve patient outcomes, no matter what type of technology is in place.

"Our proven rapid implementation methodology has assisted organizations across the country increase efficiencies and safety while driving down cost in a timely manner," said Rick Roycroft, group vice president, Pharmacy Healthcare Solutions. "It is paramount that hospital executives address process and workflow challenges as they strive to implement EHR systems. They must maintain patient safety, address process and workflow challenges while controlling costs. Our team works with them to implement the ideal future state."

The Pharmacy Healthcare Solutions' team takes a multi-disciplinary approach to look at clinical and operations improvement. The Rapid Clinical Adoption approach helps the health systems identify gaps and implement a plan to achieve their maximum benefit. More information about the Rapid Clinical Adoption approach can be found by calling 877-892-1254.

About Pharmacy Healthcare Solutions, Ltd.

Pharmacy Healthcare Solutions, Ltd.(PHS), a business unit of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, is one of the nation's largest health system-dedicated consulting entities. The management team provides cost savings, patient safety and strategic business growth support to hospitals and alternate care organizations. For more information, visit www.pharmhs.com.

About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation is a subsidiary of the AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE:ABC) that handles pharmaceutical distribution and its related services. AmerisourceBergen is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical services companies with operations primarily in the United States, Canada. Servicing both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. AmerisourceBergen's service solutions range from pharmacy automation and pharmaceutical packaging to reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services. With more than $71 billion in annual revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs approximately 10,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #26 on the Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and change in circumstances. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied are the following: changes in pharmaceutical market growth rates; the loss of one or more key customer or supplier relationships; changes in customer mix; customer delinquencies, defaults or insolvencies; supplier defaults or insolvencies; changes in pharmaceutical manufacturers' pricing and distribution policies or practices; adverse resolution of any contract or other dispute with customers or suppliers; federal and state government enforcement initiatives to detect and prevent suspicious orders of controlled substances and the diversion of controlled substances; qui tam litigation for alleged violations of laws and regulations governing the marketing, sale and purchase of pharmaceutical products; changes in U.S. legislation or regulatory action affecting pharmaceutical product pricing or reimbursement policies, including under Medicaid and Medicare; changes in regulatory or clinical medical guidelines and/or labeling for the pharmaceutical products we distribute, including certain anemia products; price inflation in branded pharmaceuticals and price deflation in generics; significant breakdown or interruption of our information technology systems; our inability to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to handle business and financial processes within AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation's operations and our corporate functions without operating problems and/or cost overruns; success of integration, restructuring or systems initiatives; interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory developments in Canada, the United Kingdom and elsewhere outside of the United States, including potential changes in Canadian provincial legislation affecting pharmaceutical product pricing or service fees or regulatory action by provincial authorities in Canada to lower pharmaceutical product pricing or service fees; the impact of divestitures or the acquisition of businesses that do not perform as we expect or that are difficult for us to integrate or control; our inability to successfully complete any other transaction that we may wish to pursue from time to time; changes in tax legislation or adverse resolution of challenges to our tax positions; increased costs of maintaining, or reductions in our ability to maintain, adequate liquidity and financing sources; volatility and deterioration of the capital and credit markets; and other economic, business, competitive, legal, tax, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting our business generally. Certain additional factors that management believes could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements are set forth (i) in Item 1A (Risk Factors) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for this Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009 and elsewhere in that report and (ii) in other reports filed by the Company pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

SOURCE: AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation

AmerisourceBergen
Nora Beger, 610-727-2384
[email protected]