McKesson Signs $38 Million Pharmacy Management Agreement with Hillcrest Healthcare System; Best Practices and Safety Initiatives Are Key to Strategic Account Win

Business Wire, August 15, 2002

Health/Medical Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 15, 2002

McKesson Corporation today announced that its McKesson Medication Management unit has signed a three-year, $38 million agreement with Hillcrest HealthCare System (HHS) in Tulsa, Okla. This agreement marks a significant new business win for the McKesson pharmacy outsourcing business.

"The key factor in our selection of McKesson is the company's ability to implement innovative medication safety programs, increase pharmacy operational efficiencies and support our nurses, medical staff and pharmacy teams," said Don Lorack, HHS President and CEO.

As part of this new business relationship, McKesson will oversee the pharmacy operations for two of HHS' acute care facilities, Hillcrest Medical Center and Tulsa Regional Medical Center. McKesson provides resources, leadership and clinical systems to scores of hospitals and other healthcare providers.

"We are honored that Hillcrest HealthCare System has entrusted the management of its pharmacy operations to McKesson," said Lewis P. Zeidner, president of McKesson Medication Management. This is truly a strategic win for us. HHS is a leading healthcare system and is representative of important regional and community hospitals nationwide that are strong prospects for McKesson's outsourced pharmacy services."

"Intimate knowledge of the marketplace and key players is essential to building business relationships," said Mike Gold, senior vice president, New Business Operations, McKesson Medication Management. "Establishing a strong relationship and earning the trust of management allowed us to effectively develop solutions to meet the needs of Hillcrest."

McKesson Medication Management is the fastest growing provider of pharmacy management services in the U.S. The company offers a full range of outsourced services and proven processes and tools to maximize pharmacy best practices and performance, while ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.

McKesson Corporation is the leading provider of supply, information and care management products and services designed to improve quality and reduce costs across healthcare. McKesson solutions empower healthcare professionals with the tools they need to deliver care more effectively and efficiently. Founded in 1833, with annual revenues of more than $50 billion, McKesson ranks as the 31st largest industrial company in the United States. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.mckesson.com.

HHS is one of Oklahoma's largest healthcare systems. Supported by 1,600 physicians and more than 6,000 employees, HHS provides healthcare services to more than 45 Oklahoma communities in 50 Oklahoma counties. The system includes 18 hospitals and more than 36 entities and services.

HHS is a not-for-profit delivery system whose primary mission is the continuous improvement of the health status of citizens throughout eastern Oklahoma. For more information on HHS, visit www.hillcrest.com.