McKesson Health Solutions, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Extend Diabetes Program; Chronic Illness Management Program for Medicaid Beneficiaries

The program utilizes telephonic and community-based registered nurses, who live and work in Colorado. These nurses contact Colorado Medicaid beneficiaries and provide disease education and support. Nurses promote positive behavior change among participants, which can lead to improved health.

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and McKesson started the diabetes management program in 2002.

At a news conference in December 2005, program officials announced one-year clinical outcomes for the program.

At that time, a 12-month analysis of participants showed:

-- 69 percent increase in the number of patients who have an action plan for dealing with their disease

-- 43 percent increase in the number of patients taking aspirin or an antiplatelet drug to help prevent heart disease. (Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease.)

-- 33 percent increase in the number of patients who know their cholesterol level

-- 62 percent increase in the number of patients who are aware of their HgbA1c, a standard clinical criteria for monitoring changes in patients with diabetes

About McKesson Corporation

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 16th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 173-year history, McKesson has grown to provide pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit us at www.McKesson.com.