GHS Data Management Hires New Director of Pharmacy Services

Healthcare Management Company Advances Its Commitment to Cost Savings

02/05/2008

Augusta, ME — GHS Data Management, a healthcare management company focusing on Medicaid services, recently hired Laurie Roscoe, R.Ph., of Falmouth, Maine, as its new director of pharmacy services — a move anticipated to further enhance the organization’s commitment to health care cost containment.

Roscoe offers two decades of experience in pharmacy benefits, having worked in nearly all aspects of the business. “Laurie is a subject matter expert who possesses exceptional pharmacy, management, and customer relations skills,” said Jim Clair, CEO of GHS Data Management. “Her strength is deriving quality pharmacy cost savings, which is our core focus and certainly a critical issue in health care today,” he added.

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, prescription drug purchases in the United States rose to $216.7 billion in 2006, up 8.5 percent from 2005. The primary driver of higher drug spending, according to economists, was increased consumption, not price increases.

In her new position, Roscoe will explore ways to lower costs and manage consumption, primarily through education. She will work on pharmacy benefits for clients in six states across the country, including businesses in the private and nonprofit sectors. She will also engage in new business development.

Roscoe most recently served as pharmacy program director for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine. She is eager to cross over from the commercial to the government side of the business. “I was especially interested in working with GHS’ Medicaid clients to help those people who really need it,” said Roscoe. “I have worked for providers, hospitals, insurance companies, and in retail,” she added. “I am excited to put everything I’ve known to date to work on behalf of GHS and its clients.”

Roscoe chairs MaineCare’s Drug Utilization Review committee. She earned her bachelor’s of science in biology from Boston College and her bachelor’s of science in pharmacy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

Affiliated with the Waldron Group of Companies, GHS Data Management is a health care management company that specializes in providing pharmacy benefit services, nurse assessing services, and data capture services to State Medicaid agencies, non-profit clients and private sector clients. Started in 1974, GHS has offices in Augusta, Maine, and Des Moines, Iowa, and employs more than 160 professionals. For additional information on the company, visit online at www.ghsinc.com.