DALLAS, Jan. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Rx, a full-service pharmacy created for patients with chronic conditions such as those with kidney disease, is celebrating a decade of accomplishments as an integrated pharmacy for patients with complex conditions across the country.

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"Ten years ago, DaVita Rx started as a small pharmacy in California dedicated to helping kidney care patients manage their complicated medication regimen," said Josh Golomb, president of DaVita Rx. "Today, we have pharmacies in three states, employ more than 1,300 teammates and serve over 135,000 patients in all 50 states."

DaVita Rx has had a significant impact on the patients who use the service. In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases in 2013 found that dialysis patients who use DaVita Rx spend 14 percent fewer days in the hospital and have a 21 percent lower risk of death compared to patients not using DaVita Rx.[1]

"Medication management is critical to preserving the health of patients," said Dr. David Van Wyck, M.D., vice president of clinical services at DaVita Kidney Care. "DaVita Rx offers a combination of services that is uniquely tuned to the needs of our patients. The DaVita Rx team works to break down barriers so that we can help get our patients the medications they are prescribed, when they need them. That work is a gift to our patients and makes a real difference in their lives."

Following is a timeline of key milestones in DaVita Rx's 10 years of service:

    --  2005 - DaVita Rx fills first prescription
    --  2008 - 1 millionth prescription delivered
    --  2009 - DaVita Clinical Research shows DaVita Rx improves clinical
        outcomes
    --  2011 - 5 millionth prescription delivered
    --  2013 - Published study shows DaVita Rx patients have significant
        reductions in hospitalizations and mortality
    --  2014 - 15 millionth prescription delivered

About DaVita Rx
DaVita Rx is a full-service pharmacy specializing in helping patients manage chronic conditions. Created in 2005 to serve the unique needs of kidney patients, DaVita Rx is the first and largest pharmacy of its kind, partnering with care providers to improve clinical outcomes. DaVita Rx makes it easier for patients to get their medications and follow their drug regimens through services like 24-hour access to pharmacists specializing in renal care, clinical intervention programs, flexible payment options and no-cost delivery. DaVita Rx is a wholly owned subsidiary of DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., with operations in Texas, Florida and California.

About DaVita HealthCare Partners
DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a Fortune 500® company, is the parent company of DaVita Kidney Care and HealthCare Partners. DaVita Kidney Care is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of Sept. 30, 2014, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,152 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 170,000 patients. The company also operated 87 outpatient dialysis centers located in 10 countries outside the United States. HealthCare Partners manages and operates medical groups and affiliated physician networks in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Florida in its pursuit to deliver excellent-quality health care in a dignified and compassionate manner. As of Sept. 30, 2014, HealthCare Partners provided integrated care management for approximately 836,000 patients. For more information, please visit DaVitaHealthCarePartners.com.

Contact Information
Media:
Vince Hancock
(303) 876-6618
vince.hancock@davita.com

[1] Weinhandl ED, Arneson TJ, St. Peter WL. Clinical Outcomes Associated with Receipt of Integrated Pharmacy Services: Potential Quality Improvement in Hemodialysis Patient Care. Am J of Kidney Dis. 2013.

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SOURCE DaVita HealthCare Partners

SOURCE: DaVita HealthCare Partners