Patent ID: 7505917

Claim:
A computer based method for improving pharmacy medication selection ratios in a prescription fulfillment plan which comprises: a. defining within a healthcare processing computer a group of related medications dispensed by a pharmacy under said plan, determining within the healthcare processing computer the sales price and group sales percentage of each medication within said group, determining within the healthcare processing computer therefrom a group-weighted sales price for each said medication, and performing within the healthcare processing computer a calculation of a representative price by summing said group-weighted sales prices for all medications within said group; b. excluding within the healthcare processing computer from said group and representative price calculation those related medications which have price structures that are not intermediate between higher priced brand name medications and lower priced generic medications within said group; c. establishing within the healthcare processing computer a minimum amount at or above said representative price; d. for each prescription fulfillment of a medication within said group, paying to said pharmacy an amount equal to the greater of the minimum or said representative price; e. the healthcare processing computer periodically repeating step a; and f. the healthcare processing computer periodically adjusting said minimum amount of step c.; whereby each said pharmacy receives an incentive to preferentially fulfill said prescriptions with lower costs medications with said group when consistent with medical efficacy and prescriber instruction.