VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (March 4, 2005) – AmerisourceBergen Technology Group today announced the selection of its Choice 340B Replenishment System software as a preferred provider of inventory management systems for the 340B Prime Vendor Program administered by HealthCare Purchasing Partners International™ (HPPI).
HPPI, a group purchasing organization co-owned by VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium, signed AmerisourceBergen's Choice Systems to the federal program that HIPPI has managed exclusively since June 2003. The 340B Prime Vendor Program was established to increase the discounts already offered under Section 340B of the U.S. Public Health Service Act. It provides deep discounts on outpatient drug purchases to public hospitals, community health centers, clinics, state-operated AIDS drug assistance programs and other safety-net health care providers serving low income and uninsured patients.
“Choice Systems' comprehensive approach to handling virtual inventory and improving the overall pharmacy supply chain process will truly improve the efficiency of 340B clinics,” said Chris Hatwig, senior director of the 340B Prime Vendor Program. “The Choice 340B Replenishment System joins a growing list of supplies and services that are dedicated to hospitals and health care programs for low-income Americans through the 340B Prime Vendor Program.”
“We are pleased to partner with HPPI to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to improving pharmacy operations at hospitals and health centers serving uninsured and low-income populations,” said Stephen Mitchell, Executive Vice President of the AmerisourceBergen Technology Group.
Choice 340B Replenishment System software is designed to help pharmacies increase the efficiency of their supply chain management while decreasing ordering and inventory errors and discrepancies. The 340B Replenishment System provides the ability to track, report, and replenish 340B inventory, process drug dispense files to determine qualified transactions, accumulate and track qualified drug usage, automatically manage the reorder process to maximize savings, and provide a complete audit trail of all 340B transactions.
One specific benefit will be the handling of virtual inventory. With the Choice 340B Replenishment System software, 340B clinics will not need to physically separate inventories of medications and supplies intended for 340B recipients. Thus, allowing pharmacies to gain maximum control and minimize unnecessary costs.
About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) is one of the largest pharmaceutical services companies in the United States. Servicing both pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. Through its AmerisourceBergen Technology Group, the company is a leading provider of pharmacy automation and pharmacy efficiency systems and point-of-care patient safety solutions and has been honored for its educational initiatives and patient safety solutions. Its AutoMed product line combines the world's most advanced prescription fulfillment technology, workflow software, and pharmacy design expertise into customized pharmacy efficiency solutions that enable customers to better manage costs, staffing and accuracy. With more than $48 billion in annualized operating revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs more than 14,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #22 on the Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com or www.automed.com
About HPPI
HealthCare Purchasing Partners International (HPPI) is an Irving, Texas-based health care group purchasing organization serving more than 8,000 health care organizations across the nation. HPPI members used its contracts to purchase more than $2.2 billion in supplies in 2003. HPPI is owned by VHA Inc., a national health care cooperative, and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), an alliance of academic medical centers. HPPI was formed by VHA and UHC to serve health care organizations that do not belong to either VHA or UHC.