SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmaceutical Care Network (PCN), a leading PBM for Medicaid managed care in the United States is alerting physicians of patients in California with an immediate history of Lindane use about the product's toxicity.

A new California law implemented January 1 2002 , prohibits the use or sale of any product containing the pesticide Lindane. Lindane has been traditionally and routinely used for treatment of lice or scabies in human beings for many years. However, it is now widely known that Lindane is a highly potent toxin, which can cause serious side effects in humans, and especially in children for whom the drug has been mainly prescribed.

PCN used its new, web-enabled version of Analytical Guide Pro(TM), a proprietary PCN data warehouse query software to comprehensively identify all California patients in PCN administered programs with immediate history of Lindane use. To ensure patient safety, PCN alerted those patients' physicians through notifications/alerts using PCN's MedIntelligence(R) Case Management Support(TM). PCN's drug databases were updated immediately to ensure no future dispensing of Lindane to any California patients.

"Our communications alerted physicians to take into consideration that very young children and youths who are developmentally delayed may not be able to report adverse symptoms they may be experiencing," said Tammy Egger, Pharm.D., of PCN's professional services. "The drug penetrates human skin and has the potential for central nervous system toxicity that could result in reactions from dizziness to convulsions, or even death."

PCN also worked with the University of California at San Francisco to provide additional education for patients. The information has been posted on PCN's website, along with other healthcare resource links for members at www.pharmcarenet.com .

Based in Sacramento, California, PCN is a full service pharmacy benefit management and healthcare information management company providing services to Medicaid Managed Care Plans, self-funded employer groups, Health & Welfare Trust Funds, Third Party Administrators, HMOs and other Managed Care Organizations. MedIntelligence(R), the clinical offering from PCN, provides healthcare information management services to the health care industry, which focus on improving outcomes-both clinical and financial. PCN's mission is to maximize the value of health care by managing pharmaceutical information, programs and services for its customers. For more information about PCN and MedIntelligence, contact the company at 800-777-9216 or visit their web site at www.pharmcarenet.com .
              
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SOURCE Pharmaceutical Care Network

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