CVS Health is set to acquire Charlotte-based Premier's specialty pharmacy branch which includes Acro Pharmaceutical Services and Commcare Pharmacy, according to a Becker's Hospital Review report. The $22.5 million acquisition was announced Monday, May 6. "Although specialty pharmacy continues to […]
Article Spotlights High Cost of Specialty Drugs
While specialty medications carry the potential to deliver significant health benefits for rare diseases, the price tag for these kinds of therapies is "certainly pushing the boundaries of the US health care system," according to a recent article published in Specialty Pharmacy Times. Though a […]
Report: Specialty Drugs Key Issue for Employers
With specialty drugs accounting for roughly half of total drug spending, employers continue to grapple with the high-cost therapies. According to a report from the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI), employers are taking an increased interest in not only drug adherence, but also whether […]
New Paper Spotlights 2018 Trends in Specialty Drugs
A new white paper from Advanced Medical Strategies (AMS), "2018 Specialty Drug Trends," offers a comprehensive analysis of trends from 2018 in the specialty drug landscape. According to the report's key highlights, there were 59 Food and Drug Administration-approved novel drugs in 2018. […]
The 7 Most Out-of-Reach Drugs
A recent Modern Healthcare Executive report takes a look at the seven most out-of-reach drugs as a result of their high costs. Biologics, according to West Monroe Partners Senior Director and Leader of Life Sciences Ed Francis tells MHE says while biologic prices will come down, they ultimately […]
Study Reveals Highly-Varied Coverage, Reimbursement for Specialty Treatments
A study published in the July issue of Health Affairs reveals highly-variable coverage and reimbursement decisions for specialty treatments. The study reportedly found only 15.9 percent of coverage policies for specialty therapies across the largest commercial health plans are […]
Cigna CFO: Specialty Drug Costs Was Key in Express Scripts Acquisition
Cigna CFO Eric Palmer during Goldman Sachs' Global Healthcare Conference told investors the primary driver of the company's push to acquire Express Scripts was to try and drive down specialty drug costs. According to Fierce Healthcare, Palmer said the pharmacy benefit manager was the "single best […]
ASHP to Create Section of Specialty Pharmacy Practicioners
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Board of Directors have voted to create the ASHP Section of Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners. According to a Specialty Pharmacy Times report, the new section will support ASHP's members to deliver exemplary patient care and robust medication […]
National Association of Specialty Pharmacy Applauds Trump Plan
The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) applauded President Donald Trump's plan to cut prescription drug costs, but added it wants to see much-needed reforms are underway to support specialty pharmacy patients. "Today we heard the President say we must stop the profiteering at the […]
Firtz: Outcomes Reporting Key in Specialty Pharmacy
With some projections suggesting specialty drug costs could account for roughly 50 percent of all drug spending by 2020, Kimberly Firtz, PharmD, says outcomes reporting is more important than ever. Firtz in her write up published Wednesday on Specialty Pharmacy Times stresses the necessity of […]
