Board Briefs

The Board heard a presentation on Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs (CRBBD) from Michael Negrete, CEO of Premier Pharmacists Networks and project volunteer for CRBBD. Mr. Negrete reported that CRBBD is a public education campaign providing the best available drug effectiveness information based on objective and scientific study. The information is presented with national data about the average retail price paid by consumers without insurance. The project identifies the "Best Buy Drugs," which provide the medical results sought while remaining "cost-effective" for consumers. A statewide rollout of this program is expected this fall.

CRBBD is not funded by any pharmaceutical company or special interest group. It is intended to: educate the public about this important new resource; encourage dialogue between consumers or patients and their pharmacists or physicians about prescription drug options; and save consumers money on prescription drugs whenever possible.

The board also received a report on the Health Net settlement in the RICO suit. It was reported that $39 million will be available without the requirement of submitting medical records. Even if physicians never treated a Health Net patient, they are entitled to damages if between January 1, 1990, and May 10, 2005, treatment was provided to enrollees of Aetna, Anthem, Coventry, CIGNA, Humana, Health net, United, PacifiCare, Prudential and/or WellPoint. Even retired physicians can file a claim, and will receive more than active physicians since they will not enjoy the prospective changes in Health Net's payment practices.

Approved the Membership Report:
For Active Membership — Michael W. Brown, MD; C. Darryl Jones, MD; Jian-Cheng Shen, MD.
For Resident Membership — David Z. Tzeng, MD.
For Reinstatement to Active Membership Following Payment of 2005 Dues — Amr Al-Hariri, MD; Robert H. Cheng, MD; Pamala A. Ferron, MD; Nancy J. King, MD; Leon J. Owens, MD.
For Resignation — Peter J. Cotsirilos, Jr., MD; Stephen H. Foster, MD (moved to Alameda-Contra Costa County); Steven B. Raffin, MD.