Medicare Part D Savings Exceed Expectations

WASHINGTON -- Medicare Part D prescription drug plans provided higher-than-expected savings of 29% during 2006 and are on track to save Medicare and its beneficiaries $469 billion over the 2006-2015 period if current performance is maintained, according to an analysis from PricewaterhouseCoopers, New York, released this week by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, here. PCMA is the national association representing America's pharmacy benefit managers. "We are proud of the significant savings we have achieved in only the first year of Part D and are excited to build on that record of success with projected savings of $469 billion over 10 years," said PCMA president, Mark Merritt.