UAMS College of Pharmacy

In 2004, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy established the Evidence-Based Prescription Drug Program (EBRx) in order to provide sound clinical direction for payors seeking consultative services. EBRx, using the vast body of evidence found in current medical literature, reviews and evaluates drug therapy as it pertains to clinical safety, efficacy, and patient treatment outcomes. This evidence is compiled and reviewed by universities and health plans across the United States. The Cochrane database is also an integral part of this evaluation process. The sound clinical review is then coupled with economic data to determine which drug products are truly the most cost effective. Evaluations are provided to the payor that are straightforward, evidence-based, and aligned with the payor’s objectives. Payer and patient-centric action steps are then recommended and supported to ensure successful execution of interventions and realized savings.

EBRx has provided services since 2004 to a state employee and public school employee program as well as a State Medicaid plan. These two clients have a combined membership of over 500,000 individuals/members. The results of these two programs have been outstanding with the state employee program having a three year cost increase that is 50-75% less than most prescription benefit plans experienced in the same time frame. The Medicaid program saved app $53 million in the first three years of this new model and is currently on track to save an additional $30 million in the fourth year.

The great success of both programs led us to form a commercial version of this for the private sector, called RxResults.