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| |  Caremark Announces a Disease Management Program for MS NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 29, 1996 -- Caremark International Inc. today announced a disease management program designed to meet the special needs of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through the company's nationwide home care and retail pharmacy networks. The Caremark program provides a single point of contact for MS patients and clinicians to access a comprehensive range of patient support services, drug therapies, and other services, including third party billing and reimbursement. Through this new, easy-to-access Caremark Therapeutic Services (CTS) program, physicians will work with MS patients to determine which drug therapies, for example, AVONEX(TM) and Betaseron(R), best fit their patients' treatment needs. Caremark will coordinate the delivery of these and other medical, nursing and educational services, as well as insurance reimbursement, for MS patients. The company will also work with all payors to educate their case managers on the special needs of individuals with MS. As part of the program, Caremark provides each patient with a Care Team, consisting of a local pharmacist and a Home Patient Representative, who help monitor treatment efficacy, compliance and side effects, and manage treatment supplies and proper therapy waste disposal. A toll-free number (800-237-2767) is available to patients should they wish to enroll or need additional support. The program enhances clinical decision making by providing access to centralized therapy utilization information. Caremark also works cooperatively with physicians to enhance patient outcomes and manage health care costs by delivering quality customer service, clinical and operational excellence and innovative solutions to their health care needs. "Caremark provides specialized pharmaceutical and other support services to MS patients, allowing them to meet all of their needs through one company," said Michael McDonald, corporate vice president, Disease Management. "We pioneered the home infusion industry and developed unique service programs tailored to meet the needs of individuals with chronic genetic disorders such as hemophilia, growth disorders and primary immune deficiencies. It's this expertise, combined with the high quality care that we provide to patients, that enables us to expand into Multiple Sclerosis." Patients have the option of selecting the most convenient method to receive their monthly drug therapy: home delivery, local pharmacy pickup via Caremark's MS Drug Card Program and a 53,000 retail pharmacy network, or physician's office delivery for in-office administration. All MS therapy shipments include necessary ancillaries and a biohazardous waste management kit. Caremark also provides confidential reimbursement assistance by coordinating with insurance carriers to help facilitate coverage for patients. CTS will centrally coordinate reimbursement through its extensive payor network, which includes all state Medicaid programs, commercial medical insurers and multiple drug plans. "This combination of distribution alternatives is unmatched in the industry," said McDonald. MS is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Approximately 250,000 Americans have the disease, and nearly 200 new cases are diagnosed weekly. Symptoms may include numbness, muscle weakness and poor coordination. Typically, people afflicted with the disease fall within one of two categories: some suffer from alternating periods of active attacks and quiet remissions while others' symptoms steadily worsen with no distinct periods. While rarely fatal and not contagious, MS can lead to complete paralysis in some people. Caremark helps patients learn as much as they can about their condition so they can maintain independence and day-to-day activities. The program utilizes Caremark's Prescription Management Program, which maintains precise medical records on patients designed to improve safety by eliminating harmful drug interactions. Caremark pharmacists are on call 24 hours per day to answer questions. The system also allows Caremark to monitor the use of the therapy at home and ensure compliance with physicians' orders. The program additionally leverages the electronic retail network of Caremark's pharmaceutical services business. Caremark's disease management business continually introduces new programs to help people with a variety of chronic conditions. Caremark recently announced new disease management programs serving arthritis, asthma and ulcer patients. Other programs include cystic fibrosis, genetic emphysema, growth disorders, hemophilia, HIV/AIDS and immune deficiencies, while programs for depression, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are currently under development. Caremark International Inc. (NYSE: CK) is a leading provider of health care services in the United States and overseas. The Northbrook, Illinois company helps care for people through its physician practice management, pharmaceutical services, disease management, and international services, using clinical expertise and advanced technology to improve patient care and manage health care costs. Fortune magazine named Caremark one of America's most admired health care companies. Caremark recently announced plans to merge with MedPartners/Mullikin, Inc. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Caremark had 1995 sales of $2.4 billion from continuing operations. For more information about Caremark, please visit the company's web site at http://www.caremark.com.
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