Legislation Aims to Close Medicare Home Infusion Gap Numerous patients are currently suffering from a gap in Medicare’s home infusion coverage. Currently, these Medicare beneficiaries are covered for their infusion medication but not for the administration and supplies needed to administer it. This means patients are forced to choose between going without the medication, paying the supply and service bills out-of-pocket, or turning to hospitals and nursing homes

for treatment, which is more expensive than home treatment.

Legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives in June that would close this gap, and Walgreens is encouraging federal lawmakers to support this bill. In September, Willie Clark, manager, durable

medical equipment; Suzane Kluge, regional pharmacy supervisor; Patrick Matchen, pharmacy manager; Tom Rout, director, clinical services, Walgreens Home Care; and Bryan Schneider, director, government affairs hosted U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) on a tour of the Walgreens Home Care facility in Elmhurst, Ill., where he saw firsthand the myriad of services, equipment and supplies required for successful infusion therapy. Roskam also learned how funding these services will make home infusion therapy less costly for Medicare patients and how it will reduce the nation’s growing healthcare bill. As of our print date, the bill was still pending. Future issues of RxMatters will provide updates on this critical legislation.

“Patients are forced to choose

between going without medication … or turning to hospitals and nursing homes for treatment.”

In This Issue:

Offering Increased Access to Care .................................. 2

Partnering in Member Education.............. 3

Oral Oncology Services Grow ..................... 3

A Little Bit of MAGIC .......... 4

Zyrtec Now OTC ................. 4

Web Site Enhanced ............ 5

Mail Service Account Team Excels .......................... 6

Rx Drug Update .................. 6

New Rx Indications ............. 7

Mark Your Calendar ........... 7

Pipeline Report ..................... 7

November/December 2007

Volume 2 Number 4

A newsletter created especially for managed care clients, delivering

a mix of news and trends in healthcare, and up-to-date information

about our products and services

Rx Matters

©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 1

Store Expansion Provides Increased Access to Healthcare Walgreens Says Aloha to HawaiiOn November 1, Walgreens opened its first store in Honolulu, Hawaii. As the first national drugstore retailer to enter the Hawaii market, Walgreens is excited to grow its brand and become the drugstore

the people of Hawaii can call their own. As a testament to this, all stores in Hawaii will stock local specialties such as dairy products, Kona coffee, and fresh flower leis.

In addition to supporting the healthcare needs of the local residents, Walgreens is able to service the many visitors to the islands through an expanded network of pharmacies that make it easy for them to get the medications they need, anytime, anywhere.

Looking ahead, Walgreens hopes to expand its healthcare services on the islands to eventually include pharmacist-administered

flu and pneumonia vaccinations and specialty pharmacy. Those services will complement the 25-30 stores expected to operate across the islands. Already, three more stores are scheduled to open in 2008—another example of how Walgreens is committed to serving you and your members.

Walgreens 6,000th Store Spurs Growth in New OrleansTwo years after Hurricane Katrina, some sections of New Orleans are still struggling to return to normal. Walgreens chose New Orleans’ Carrollton neighborhood for its 6,000th store, with the hope of jump-starting local rebuilding efforts. This historic neighborhood is located close to downtown and Tulane University.

In Carrollton, like thousands of other communities, Walgreens has become a wellness resource. Our many stores in the city’s urban neighborhoods are well positioned to reach residents with information on the health issues that affect their lives.

“As we continue our recovery, access to quality healthcare services remains a critical challenge and priority,” said New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. “By opening its 6,000th store in New Orleans and focusing on our continuing healthcare needs, Walgreens is demonstrating its commitment to our city and region.”

In honor of the grand opening, Walgreens offered free blood glucose screenings in 16 New Orleans stores with the help of Xavier University pharmacy students. The goal is to drive greater awareness of the diabetes epidemic and get more people on the path to prevention or early detection and treatment. In addition, the Walgreens Wellness Tour Bus traveled to select locations throughout the area for two weeks to provide tests for total cholesterol level, blood pressure, bone density, and body mass index. Such events are part of Walgreens effort to become known as a wellness resource for all

continued on p. 3

Walgreens was welcomed to the islands by throngs of enthusiastic shoppers.

Rx Matters

©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 2

consumers, and to partner with our clients to provide healthcare programs and services that offer members quality, value, and convenience helping them to stay healthier which creates a healthy bottom line for payors.

Partnering with Walgreens Pharmacists to Educate Your MembersFor more than 100 years, Walgreens has been dedicated to improving the health of Americans. Now, our specially trained pharmacists are partnering with you to help educate your members on topics such as:• Learninghowmemberscansaveontheirprescriptions• Maximizingmedicationusageforoptimaloutcomes• UnderstandingMedicarePartD• LearningabouttheseniorservicesavailablethroughWalgreens

You choose the date, time, and place—such as a community or senior center—and we’ll arrange to have one of our knowledgeable pharmacists speak to your group at no charge. We’ll even work with you to choose an appropriate topic based on your members’ needs. There are no minimum requirements for group size, however, we do ask that arrangements be made at least four weeks prior to the event and all events are subject to pharmacist availability.

To learn more about this great opportunity for member education, call 866-728-5795 or e-mail rxservices@walgreens.com.

New Oral Oncology Program Balances the Needs of You and Your Members You want to manage the growing costs associated with oral oncology therapy, while your members needing this service want easy access to medications and additional clinical support. Thanks to Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy’s personalized oral oncology therapy program, OralONCare™, both you and your members get the service you need.

This program offers you support starting with the initial implementation and continues through the ongoing evaluation of your strategy in order to insure your financial goals are met while providing patient-focused care. OralONCare also offers you:• Comprehensiveaccountsupport• Customizedcost-managementstrategies• Personalizedpatientcarethataddressesclinical,emotional,financial,andtherapymanagement

needs of patients and their caregivers• Reimbursementandinsuranceexpertise• Clinicalsupportforbothpatientsandphysicianstooptimizehealthoutcomes

For more information about Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Services OralONCare program, call 888-347-3416.

Healthcare Access … (continued from p. 2)

Rx Matters

©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 3

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Creates its Own MAGIC At this past summer’s annual conference for families meeting the challenge of growth hormone deficiency, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy hosted a display to educate and entertain. Parents learned

all about the resources Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy has to offer—and their children got to expressthemselves!Dozensofchildrencreatedpersonalized Frisbees as well as designed a square to form a quilt. As a testimonial to our support of this special group of people, the quilt was donated in November, to the MAGIC foundation, headquartered in Oak Park, Ill.

Mary Andrews, chief executive office of the MAGIC foundation said, “She was very pleased and grateful for Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy’s support over the years.” The quilt, pictured left, now hangs in a prominent place for visitors—both patients and providers—to see each and every day.

OTC Zyrtec® Spells Cost Savings for Plans The popular nonsedating antihistamine (NSA) Zyrtec® (certirizine HCL) lost its patent protection onDecember25,andanover-the-counter(OTC)versionofthismedicationisanticipatedtobeavailable in mid-January. Zyrtec no longer requiring a prescription is exciting news for prescription medication plans. With Zyrtec and Claratin® now available as OTC medications, plans may see a decrease in spend for this therapeutic class. Plans may see as much as a 30 percent reduction in spend related to Zyrtec. It is estimated that 65 percent of Zyrtec users will switch to the OTC product and continue to use it.

Pfizer, manufacturer of prescription-strength Zyrtec, will discontinue production of the prescription version of the medication with the launch of OTC Zyrtec. Walgreens will continue to adjudicate prescription-strength Zyrtec as a covered medication until supplies run out. The pediatric forms of the medication will be available both OTC and by prescription. To help plan members in the transition,

in January, Walgreens will send letters to each member who received a prescription for Zyrtec within the last six months to advise them of this change. As an added bonus, each letter will include a $5-off coupon for the OTC product to encourage members to try it.

Pictured are Rick Ewing, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy marketing

manager and Mary Andrews, CEO, MAGIC Foundation.

(POST-HS) DRAFT: NOT FOR REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION

Is ZYRTEC® the same as the prescription version?Yes. Beginning December 28, 2007, you will be able to buy the same 24 hour, original prescription strength ZYRTEC® products to relieve your indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms in pharmacies and retail stores wherever over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are sold.*

What symptoms does ZYRTEC® relieve?You will receive the same effective relief you have always trusted. ZYRTEC® and Children’s ZYRTEC® , available without a prescription, provides the effective relief of the following symptoms due to indoor and outdoor allergies:

ZYRTEC® also relieves itching due to hives.

ZYRTEC-D® 12 HOUR Extended Release Tablets contain two active ingredients to relieve these indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms including nasal congestion and sinus pressure.

* Not all prescription indications will be switched to OTC status.

Questions & Answers ZYRTEC® (cetirizine HCI)

Available Without a Prescription

ZYRTEC® Tablets

Full Prescription Strength

GrapeSyrupGrapeSyrupGrapeSyrup

Runny NoseItchy, Watery EyesItchy Throat

or Nose

hour

OutdoorIndoor &

®

2 yrs.& older

NEW!Full Prescription Strength

GrapeSyrupGrapeSyrupGrapeSyrup

HIVESRelief

6 yrs.& older

®

24hour

RelievesITCHINGDue to Hives

Children’s ZYRTEC®

Syrup

Full Prescription Strength

I

5

Full Prescription Strength

10 mg each10 mg each12 ChewableTablets12 ChewableTablets

OutdoorIndoor

Relief of24

Children’s ZYRTEC®

Chewable Tablets

NEW!Full Prescription Strength

ALLERGY & CONGESTION

®

Relief of Sneezing Runny Nose Itchy Watery Eyes Itchy Throat or Nose Sinus Pressure Nasal Congestion

12hour (Individual

Blisters)

ExtendedRelease Tablets

12Tablets

12Tablets

Cetirizine HCl 5 m g/a ntihistamine Pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg / na sal decongestant

Cetirizine HCl 5 mg/antihistamine Pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg / nasal decongestant

OutdoorIndoor &

ZYRTEC-D® Extended Release Tablets

ZYRTEC® Now Available Without a Prescription

14.003.6_QA_template_HS_post_walgreens.indd 1 10/17/07 9:55:13 AM

Rx Matters

©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 4

Case Studies, Client Newsletters and More at Your FingertipsGetting the information you need about industry trends, Walgreens integrated services, and cost-saving solutions for your members is easier than ever thanks to the revamped WalgreensHealth.com web site. For the first time, the site offers you a central location that highlights the key advantages of what we offer and how we work to provide cost-saving solutions for both you and your members. We now have dedicated pages for specialty pharmacy, home care, mail service, long-term care pharmacy, on-site pharmacy, and pharmacy benefit management, where you are able to view additional information, upcoming events or download recent case studies, reports, and newsletters.

At the same time, members can still manage their accounts online and access information tailored to their needs. Already, millions of registered members visit our sites to quickly and easily order refill prescriptions and receive disease-specific and treatment-specific health information.

Having independent sites dedicated to each audience’s needs is yet another way we are dedicated to providing our clients and their members with convenient information, any time, anywhere. But don’t just take our word for it—check out the new WalgreensHealth.com and let us know what you think. E-mail your comments to MCMarketing@walgreens.com.

WalgreensHealth.com

Mail Service

Satisfaction Survey

©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 5

Rx Matters

Your Mail Service Team: Creating a Win-Win for You and Your MembersAt Walgreens Mail Service, you don’t have just one person working to serve you—you have a complete account management team ready to help you and your members. Your team—which includes an account executive, an account manager, implementation executives, a sales director, a clinical pharmacist, and support staff—work together to provide you with strategic solutions for your organization’s healthcare needs. Your team can also offer you:• Implementationservices• In-depthtrainingandconsultationonproducts,services,andsystems• Accountmanagementandday-to-dayclientsupport• Memberservicesandsupport• Customizedsolutionsandmarketingmaterials• Quarterlymailserviceutilizationreports.

Your team works together to provide high quality, integrated mail service and clinical capabilities to your members. Contact your account executive today to take advantage of the specialized expertise of your team.

Rx Drug UpdateTheFoodandDrugAdministrationrecentlyapprovedthefollowingnewmedications:

Drug Name Company/ Availability

Indication(s) Dose Form(s)

Regimen AWP as of November 2007

Endometrin®

(progesterone) vaginal insert

Ferring

Currently available

To support in vitro fertilization and assisted reproductive technology

100 mg vaginal insert

One insert two to three times daily

$6.53 per insert

Evamist® (estradiol) transdermal spray

Vivus Fall 2007

Treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symp-toms due to menopause

Spray bottle One to three sprays to forearm once daily

Unavailable

Selzentry™ (maraviroc) tablets

Pfizer Currently available

Treatment of HIV-infected individuals in combi-nation with other HIV medications

150 mg and 300 mg tablets

150 mg to 600 mg twice daily

$18.13 per tablet

Sanctura® XR (trospium) extended-release capsules

Indevus Fall 2007

Treatment of overactive bladder

60 mg capsules One capsule once daily

Unavailable

Somatuline® Depot (lanreotide) injection

Tercica Fall 2007

Long-term treatment for acromegaly, a disorder resulting from excess growth hormone in the body

60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg single-use syringes

One injection every four weeks

$7,600 per 60 mg dose

$8,600 per 90 mg dose

$10,600 per 120 mg dose

©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 6

Rx Matters

New Rx Indications ThefollowingmedicationshavebeenapprovedbytheFoodandDrugAdministrationforneworexpanded indications:

Drug Name Original Indication New Indication

Reclast® (zoledronic acid) injection

Treatment of Paget’s disease Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Risperdal® (risperidone) tablets

Treatment of schizophrenia in adults, short-term treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes asso-ciated with bipolar disorder in adults, and the treat-ment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in children and adolescents 5 to 16 years of age

Treatment of schizophrenia and short-term treatment of bipolar mania in children and adolescents

FluMist® (influenza virus vaccine, live) intranasal spray

Active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A and B viruses in individuals 5 to 49 years of age

Active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A and B viruses in individuals 2 to 49 years of age

Evista® (raloxifene) tablets

Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

To reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteopo-rosis and in postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer

Mark Your CalendarYou and your members may be interested in this list of health-related observances for the months of January and February. For more information, log on to the sponsoring organization’s web site. For a complete observance list for the entire year, visit the National Health Information Center’s web site at: www.healthfinder.gov/library/NHO.

Observance Date Web Site

Cervical Health Awareness Month Jan 1-31 www.nccc-online.org/awareness.php

National Glaucoma Awareness Month Jan 1-31 www.preventblindness.org

National Birth Defects Prevention Month Jan 1-31 www.marchofdimes.com

American Heart Month Feb 1-28 www.americanheart.org

National Wise Health Consumer Month Feb 1-28 www.healthylife.com

National Donor Day Feb 14 www.organdonor.gov

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Pipeline Report AvailableThe Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Pipeline Report focuses on drugs that are newly approved— orbeingtestedbytheFoodandDrugAdministration.Toaccessthe2007FourthQuarterreport, go to WalgreensSpecialtyRx.com and select Specialty Rx Pipeline Report under Reports on the left side of your screen.

Rx Matters

©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. WAG7943-1207 Page 7

To access Rx Matters online, go to www.WalgreensHealth.com/mcnewsletter.

For information about Walgreens Health Services, call 866-728-5795 or e-mail rxservices@walgreens.com.

Editorial Board

Editor Sharon Tarnoff Designer Rabel Shamuel

Corporate Office 1411LakeCookRd.,Deerfield,IL60015Brand names are the property of their respective owners.

Articles in Walgreen Co. Rx Matters may be reprinted only by clients of Walgreen Co., or respective agent(s) of clients. Please attach the following statement: Reprinted with permission. ©2007 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved.