PCMA Taps Veteran Strategists Phil Blando & John Murray to Help Spearhead New Campaign-Style Strategic Approach

5/20/2003

From: Pharmaceutical Care Management Association Press Office, 703-920-8480

ARLINGTON, Va., May 20 -- As it moves quickly to implement a new aggressive and comprehensive campaign-style approach, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) has tapped two veteran strategists, Phil Blando and John Murray, to help spearhead its efforts, the association announced today. Phil Blando has been appointed Vice President, Public Affairs and John Murray has been appointed Vice President, Strategic Initiatives. Both Blando and Murray will report directly to new PCMA President & CEO Mark Merritt.

In announcing their selection, Mr. Merritt said, "We are moving rapidly to bring a new, aggressive campaign-style approach to PCMA. Phil and John bring an incredible amount of depth and talent to our ranks and I look forward to their help as we quickly get up and running."

Mr. Blando brings a diverse background of strategic planning, media relations, public affairs, and government relations expertise to PCMA. He comes to PCMA from the American Association of Health Plans, where he served as Vice President, Strategic Planning & Public Affairs. During his tenure at AAHP, Mr. Blando played a pivotal role in the association's strategic approach on some of the most contentious domestic policy issues in recent memory, including patients' rights, Medicare prescription drugs, and the uninsured. In addition, Mr. Blando has worked in Ernst & Young LLP's Federal Health Care Practice and served in the Media Affairs Division at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Mr. Blando holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Mr. Murray has extensive political and corporate communications experience, having worked in senior positions at the American Association of Health Plans, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Freddie Mac, and Burson-Marstellar. A key player in developing and implementing the American Association of Health Plans' successful strategic communications operation, Mr. Murray is also a veteran of the 1996 Dole presidential campaign and the last two Republican National conventions. Mr. Murray is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and holds a Masters of Health Science in Health Policy from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

------ PCMA represents pharmacy benefit managers and their health care partners in pharmaceutical care. PCMA provides leadership and standards of excellence to assure the availability of quality, safe, and cost-effective pharmaceutical care services.