Institute for Integrated Healthcare Appointed as Pharmacy Advisor to MidAtlantic Business Group on Health

Baltimore, MD, February 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Randy Vogenberg, RPh, Ph.D., and Elan Rubinstein, Pharm.D., MPH of Institute for Integrated Healthcare (IIH) announce their appointment as strategic pharmacy advisors to MidAtlantic Business Group on Health (MABGH). As Pharmacy Advisors to MABGH, Drs. Vogenberg and Rubinstein will provide strategic oversight of utilization, cost and contractual services provided in relation to prescription pharmaceuticals which beneficiaries of self-insured employers access through MABGH contracts. They will also facilitate preparation and delivery of pharmaceuticals-related research and educational programming for MABGH members.

“Prescription pharmaceuticals are critical components of employee health benefits,” said John Miller, Executive Director of MABGH. “In this difficult economic environment, MABGH will serve its members’ interests by providing resources to maximize pharmaceuticals’ value. We look forward to working with Drs. Vogenberg and Rubinstein to accomplish this."

“We view our role with MABGH, its members businesses and its contracted vendors as a model through which purchasing coalitions can enhance the value of member services. We appreciate the opportunity to serve the Coalition,” said Randy Vogenberg.

Dr. Vogenberg is Principal at the Institute for Integrated Healthcare in Sharon, Massachusetts, Adjunct Instructor at the University of Rhode Island's College of Pharmacy in Kingston, Rhode Island, and Senior Fellow in Health Policy at Thomas Jefferson University-Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since 1985, Dr. Rubinstein has advised payers regarding specialty and prescription pharmacy benefits; advised manufacturers regarding the marketing of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products; and spearheaded pharmaceuticals-related business strategy, disease management and new business development. Dr. Rubinstein is coauthor of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 'Guide to Pharmaceutical Payment Methods.'

About MidAtlantic Business Group on Health
The MidAtlantic Business Group on Health is a not-for-profit membership organization for employers and healthcare stakeholders domiciled in Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. MABGH member employers represent over 500,000 lives. The MABGH drives cost-effective healthcare, through value-based purchasing, purchaser leverage and collaboration with other healthcare stakeholders. MABGH is a member of the National Business Coalition on Health, along with over 50 other local coalitions across the country. For more information, please visit www.mabgh.org.

About Institute for Integrated Healthcare
The Institute for Integrated Healthcare provides integrated pharmaceutical benefits consulting and education to self-insured employers and business coalitions. For more information, please call 781-784-7601, email info@iihonline.net, contact Randy at randy@iihonline.net or contact Elan at elan@iihonline.net.

###