SR Spire Inc

Apexus Inc., administrator of the 340B Prime Vendor Program (PVP), has contracted with Standard Register (NYSE:SR) the nation�s leading authority on prescription security, to provide safe, secure prescribing solutions for public hospitals, community health centers and other safety-net health care providers participating in the program. The Prime Vendor Program was established to increase the discounts already offered under Section 340B of the U.S. Public Health Service Act. Apexus was selected by the Health Resources and Services Administration�s (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy Affairs to administer the program. Now with the launch of HRSA�s Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative, Apexus has intensified its focus on advancing the Collaborative�s goals. �Hospitals today face immense challenges,� said Chris Hatwig, vice president for Apexus. �In selecting Standard Register, we have a partner that can provide cost-effective prescribing solutions that will help 340B PVP participants enhance patient safety while meeting tough, new regulatory requirements that limit their exposure to fraud.� The program�s most immediate challenge is to ensure their participants meet the new federal regulatory requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that went into effect on October 1. All non-electronic, Medicaid outpatient prescriptions must be written on tamper-resistant paper that integrates at least three industry-recognized security features. Non-compliant prescriptions will not be reimbursed. Standard Register�s proprietary ScripPlus� prescriptions exceed both CMS and state regulatory requirements. They combine heat-sensitive inks, micro-printing and unique background patterns with artificial watermarks, chemical-sensitive coatings, and warning bands to effectively deter criminals from modifying, copying and counterfeiting prescriptions. In addition, as recommended by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, ScripPlus prescriptions use a hollow pantograph that provides the necessary copy protection without obscuring prescription information, which is vital to patient safety and processing efficiency. Standard Register�s security technologies are complemented by secure operations. It has established stringent controls for managing prescriptions and sensitive data. Its facilities are audited annually to assure they follow SAS-70 II standards, a process that states, such as Tennessee, are now requiring of prescription providers. The 340B PVP will offer tamper-resistant prescriptions pads, laser sheets and thermal rolls. The centerpiece of the program is Standard Register�s e-prescribing solution. It pairs their secure ScripPlus paper with Star Micronics� secure thermal printer to give participating providers a cost-effective Rx printing solution to support e-prescribing applications, which offer greater control over the prescription process and less opportunity for prescribing errors. �We are committed to working with Apexus to improve patient safety and reduce prescription fraud for 340B providers,� said Jay Frerichs, director of prescription security for Standard Register. �Our experience in the state of New York and in hospitals across the country has demonstrated we can have a measurable impact in our communities.� About the 340B Prime Vendor Program The Prime Vendor Program was established to increase the discounts already offered under Section 340B of the U.S. Public Health Service Act, providing low-cost drugs to clinics, hospitals and programs for low-income Americans. Over 12,000 providers across the country qualify to participate in the discount program at no cost, and more than 6,900 facilities are currently enrolled. Visit the Section 340B Prime Vendor Program web site at http://www.340bpvp.com/ for more information about the program. About Apexus Founded in 2007, Apexus Inc., is a nonprofit corporation, that was selected by the Health Resources and Services Administration�s (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy Affairs to serve as the prime vendor for the 340B Program. Based in Irving, Texas, the prime vendor�s role is to secure sub-ceiling discounts on outpatient drug purchases and discounts on other pharmacy related products and services for participating public hospitals, community health centers, and other safety-net health care providers electing to join the program. Apexus Inc. is owned by Provista, a group purchasing organization which is co-owned by VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium. For more information on Apexus, go to www.340Bpvp.com. About Standard Register Standard Register is a premier document services provider, trusted by healthcare organizations and other companies to manage the critical documents they need to thrive in today's competitive climate. Employing nearly a century of industry expertise, Lean Six Sigma methodologies and leading technologies, the company helps organizations increase efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, grow revenue and meet the challenges of a changing business landscape. In addition to secure prescriptions, it offers document and label solutions, technology solutions, consulting and print supply chain services to help clients manage documents throughout their enterprises. More information is available at www.standardregister.com.