WASHINGTON, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Generic
Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), which represents the world’s
leading generic drug manufacturers and suppliers, has honored
Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) President and
CEO Mark Merritt with the industry’s prestigious “Outstanding
Contribution” Award.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110303/DC58687)

The award was presented at GPhA’s Annual Meeting in Orlando,
Florida.  PCMA represents the nation’s PBMs which improve
affordability and quality of care through the use of electronic
prescribing (e-prescribing), generic alternatives, mail-service
pharmacies, and other innovative tools for 210-plus million
Americans.

“I’m honored to receive this award and proud to stand with GPhA,
employers, and consumer groups in the fight for affordable
prescription drugs,” said PCMA President and CEO Mark
Merritt.  

Proven PBM tools and techniques – including increasing the
use of generic medications – has helped result in drug
spending during the 2007-2009 period growing at its slowest annual
rates in more than 40 years.   Research released by the
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that the use of generic
medications rather than brand-name medications in Medicare Part D
saved beneficiaries and the program about $33 billion in 2007 with
an additional $14 billion in savings expected as first-time
generics enter the market through 2012. Over the past decade,
generic medications have helped save the United States health care
system $824 billion.  

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) represents the
manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals,
manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals,
and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry.
Generic pharmaceuticals fill 75

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