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 […]
How Specialty Pharmacy Growth is Hurting Wholesalers
McKesson recently released its quarterly earnings for the fourth calendar quarter of 2017. Learn more on the three interrelated mix changes that challenge wholesalers' profits from the growth of specialty pharmacy drugs. (Source: Drug Channels, 2/6/18) […]
How Much Could Risk-Sharing Contracts Decrease Drug Prices?
The University of Florida (UF) College of Pharmacy, looked at risk-sharing contracts between pharmaceutical manufacturers and health insurance providers as an answer to reducing rising drug prices. Learn more here. (Source: Kaitlynn Ely, AJMC, 2/5/18) […]
AMCP Announces New President-Elect, Board Members
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy on Monday announced the winners of a recent election for the 2018-2020 term of the AMCP Board of Directors. A president-elect and three board members were elected. According to a press release, the new members will be sworn in during the upcoming AMCP Managed […]
