The Peter Lamy Center for Drug Therapy and Aging, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy will sponsor a lecture to be given by Richard G. Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, AGSF, CMD on February 15, 2007 entitled, Accessibility of Medications under Medicare - Past, Present & Future. 

Dr. Stefanacci is the founding Executive Director, Health Policy Institute, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

This discussion will focus on the history of Medicare coverage for medications since 1965's looking at inpatient acute care. From this foundation the presentation  will move forward to a discussion of the present day and the roll out of Medicare Part D, the new Medicare prescription drug benefit with a focus on the enrollment, utilization controls and funding of prescription drug plans on how this has affected access to medications. The presentation will conclude with an exploration of the possible changes to Medicare prescription coverage as the baby boomers age into Medicare as they demand more of an expanding supply of innovative and expensive medications.

 The lecture will take place at 4 p.m. and be followed by a reception at 5 p.m. The program is co-sponsored by the University of Maryland Baltimore Gerontology Lecture Series.  The lecture will be held in Pharmacy Hall, room 120. Reception to follow.