Losing these retail medication outlets creates more than just pharmacy deserts. In many low-income and underserved areas, drugstores also serve as grocery stores and hubs for essential services, and hence their closures mean communities lose crucial access points for a variety of goods and services.
Season 2 of the MedCity Pivot Podcast has launched with a special focus on the evolution of pharmacy and pharmacy benefit management. The first guest this season is A.J. Loiacono, who leads Capital Rx.
Hear executives from Quantum Health, Surescripts, EY, Clinical Architecture and Personify Health share their views on digital transformation in healthcare.
The largest six pharmacy benefit managers are being scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission, while Congress is debating the Pharmacy Benefit Transparency Act. Meanwhile, states have their own ideas for reining in what they see as excesses of the industry. With all this heat, what is the message from the head of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association?
Large employers, particularly self-insured companies, can demand a better and fairer system. They can use their contracting power to insist that their plans cover all FDA approved drugs.
The PBM industry—a transaction-driven industry that highlights economic distribution, resting squarely on price, rebates, and discounts—has consistently let down employers and patients with models that behave like retail.
PBMs today have a tremendous opportunity to help address health disparities by shifting current drug pricing and “cost vs. access” conversations to value-based discussions.
The future looks bright for the integrated specialty pharmacy model – for health systems, providers, and most importantly, for patients.