Dr. Laureen Rance named Director of Pharmaceutical Relations - First role of its kind at Manulife

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK:945

WATERLOO, ON, March 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Manulife has appointed Dr. Laureen Rance to the new role of Director of Pharmaceutical Relations. This appointment is part of Manulife's pharmacy benefits strategy that will tackle the significant challenges related to the cost and accessibility of prescription drugs. In combination with customer services, such as the Specialty Drug Care program, an expanded authorization program, home delivery options and more, Manulife is providing forward thinking solutions to ensure benefit plans are sustainable now and in the future.

"Without an action plan, the increasing prevalence of high-cost specialty drugs will impact the sustainability of private drug plans," said Lisa Callaghan, Assistant Vice-President, Group Benefits Product at Manulife. "Led by Dr. Rance, Manulife will work with pharmaceutical manufacturers to help millions of Canadians through their employer sponsored benefit plans access valuable and innovative drugs, with the right support, at a prudent cost."

Dr. Laureen Rance (BScPharm, PharmD, MSc) has more than twenty years of experience working in health care, beginning as a staff pharmacist in both retail and hospital settings.  After completing her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Toronto, she transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry. She worked as a reimbursement strategist with a focus on health economics and outcomes research supporting numerous therapeutic categories with resulting publications.

She went on to receive her Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Toronto and transitioned her career to work in pharmacy benefits management focused on evidence informed programs and services. She is now rounding out her private payer experience with Manulife.

"My extensive background working with varied pharmaceutical stakeholders will enable me to work with the manufacturers," said Dr. Rance. "Together we will find effective ways to continue to provide Manulife customers with affordable access to medication and quality care."

About Manulife

Manulife is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. We operate as John Hancock in the U.S. and as Manulife in other parts of the world. We provide strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for our customers' significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Assets under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately C$691 billion (US$596 billion) as at December 31, 2014.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

Image with caption: "Dr. Laureen Rance, Director Pharmaceutical Relations, Manulife (CNW Group/Manulife Financial Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150316_C9946_PHOTO_EN_43407.jpg

Media Contact: 
Rebecca Freiburger
Manulife 519-503-6604
[email protected]
@ManulifeNews