GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has become the first pharmaceutical company to earn "Program Design Certification" under The National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) new Disease Management (DM) Certification initiative. GSK's HealthCare Management Group submitted three of its programs -- asthma, migraine and smoking cessation - for certification. All three programs scored 100%.

"Disease Management offers tremendous promise for improving the care received by the chronically ill. By achieving NCQA DM certification, an organization is showing that is ready to provide specific services that can help fulfill that promise," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "It's an accomplishment to be proud of."

With this certification, health plans have unbiased, third party confirmation from NCQA that these disease management programs are well designed, effective and patient and practitioner-friendly. In addition, health plans that use GSK's NCQA-Certified DM programs will now receive automatic credit on related managed care accreditation requirements.

GSK's disease management programs were reviewed primarily for their content and consistency with national practice guidelines. These programs have printed, electronic and in-person materials and methods for working with patients and practitioners. Because of the importance of certification, GSK plans to seek certification for additional disease management programs.

"The Managed Markets - HealthCare Management (HCM) Group of GlaxoSmithKline is committed to helping improve the quality of care provided to patients suffering from chronic conditions by developing evidenced-based disease management and quality improvement programs," said Tim Klapish, Executive Director, HealthCare Management, GlaxoSmithKline. "Becoming certified by NCQA validates the efforts we put into our programs and recognizes our commitment to leadership, quality and accountability."