Evidence-based Prescribing Showcased for Maine Leaders and Legislators

Hallowell, Maine, April 5, 2010--Prescription Policy Choices (PPC), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to expand access to safe, effective, and affordable prescription drugs in Maine and the US, has been invited to participate in the event marking the 10th anniversary of the Maine Health Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF). In recognition of its exemplary work to promote evidence-based prescribing in Maine, PPC will join other MeHAF grantees at the Maine State House Hall of Flags on Tuesday, April 6 at an event recognizing MeHAF's founding in 2000 and its efforts to improve access to health care in Maine.

PPC received MeHAF funding to enhance its work to improve access to affordable prescription drugs. As part of its Cost Containment Strategy Grant Initiative to Preserve and Expand Health Care Access, MeHAF awarded funds to support PPC's efforts to promote evidenced-based prescribing to help Maine providers and consumers learn which drugs work best, are safest, and, more often than not, cost less. Evidence-based prescribing is based on the use of the best available, objective scientific evidence in a given therapeutic area.

Initially, PPC focused on promoting evidence-based prescribing to clinicians, including supporting the launch of Maine's Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS), an academic detailing program for prescribers. Academic detailing, also known as prescriber education, is the service of sending trained clinicians to physicians' offices in order to present the evidence in support of the best use of prescription drugs as well as the most positive patient care practices. MICIS is a free, voluntary educational service administered by the Maine Medical Association in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services under the direction of a physician-led advisory committee.

More recently, PPC has been working to create a consumer component to Maine's prescriber education program, which will include working with consumer advocacy groups, employers, and pharmacies. PPC will also offer tools to consumers about where to go for unbiased information about prescription drugs and which questions to ask their doctors to ensure they are getting the safest, most effective, and most affordable drug choice. By addressing both prescribers and consumers in Maine, PPC is helping to shape how drugs are prescribed, moving the culture toward a norm of informed and shared decision-making.

"MeHAF's support has made it possible to expand our work to improve access to safe, effective, and affordable prescription drugs in Maine," said PPC Executive Director Ann Woloson. "PPC's involvement in the development of Maine's academic detailing program has helped to build a credible information source for both prescribers and consumers."

"We're grateful for MeHAF's recognition and the opportunity to share our work with Maine's leaders," added Woloson.

Since 2000, MeHAF has provided $36 million in grants to more than 250 nonprofit and public organizations across Maine to promote access to health care services to improve the health for some of the state's most vulnerable residents. A nonpartisan foundation, MeHAF prioritizes advancing health reform in Maine, supporting safety net services for the uninsured and medically under served, and promoting approaches to integrate primary care with mental and behavioral health care.