The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) released the following statement on the selection of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

"PCMA applauds the selection of Tom Daschle as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. At a time of unprecedented economic challenges, former Senator Daschle is a recognized leader and the right choice to drive President-elect Obama's mission to reform health care in this country.

"An immediate priority outlined by the President-elect is to modernize health care and reduce costs by implementing the increased use of electronic health records (EHRs). PCMA looks forward to working with Secretary-designate Daschle and the new Administration on accelerating adoption of waste-cutting EHRs and other health information technologies such as electronic prescribing that improve quality, efficiency and save money. Pharmacy benefits are the most wired and advanced part of the health care delivery system. This knowledge and experience provides a workable model for expanding overall use of EHRs.

"Along with modernizing health care, PCMA is eager to work with Secretary-designate Daschle and his team on other important bipartisan issues that improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of American health care."

PCMA is the national association representing America's pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which administer prescription drug plans for more than 210 million Americans with health coverage provided through Fortune 500 employers, health insurance plans, labor unions, and Medicare Part D.

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association