Today’s guest post comes from Nasir Ali, Chief Product Officer at CareMetx.
Nasir reviews the cumbersome processes that affect providers’ preferences when prescribing a specialty drug to their patients. He believes that embedding the specialty drug initiation process into the provider’s workflow will benefit both patients and prescribers.
Learn more by downloading CareMetx’s new 2024 Patient Services Report: Revealing Manufacturer Priorities: Patients Naturally Take Center Stage.
Read on for Nasir’s Insights.
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Drug Channels delivers timely analysis and provocative opinions from Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., the country's foremost expert on pharmaceutical economics and the drug distribution system. Drug Channels reaches an engaged, loyal and growing audience of nearly 100,000 subscribers and followers. Learn more...
Friday, August 23, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Drug Channels News Roundup, August 2024: My $0.02 on the IRA’s MFPs, UNC’s New PBM, Amazon vs. Retail, Fixing 340B, and Mark Cuban Lets Loose
Another news-laden summer is ending. Time to pack away your bathing suit, send the kids back to school, and cherish these curated curiosities that I combed from the Jersey shore:
P.S. Join my nearly 58,000 LinkedIn followers for daily links to neat stuff along with thoughtful and provocative commentary from the DCI community.
- Some uncomfortable realities of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA’s) first set of 10 prices
- Amazon goes after retail pharmacies with an amusing lack of self-awareness
- A health system-backed start-up pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) will somehow deliver massive drug costs savings
- An intriguing solution for fixing the 340B program
P.S. Join my nearly 58,000 LinkedIn followers for daily links to neat stuff along with thoughtful and provocative commentary from the DCI community.
Have you requested an invite to the inaugural Drug Channels Leadership Forum? Attendance will be highly limited, so apply now. Full agenda coming soon!
Labels:
340B,
Hospitals,
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,
PBMs,
Pharmacy
Friday, August 16, 2024
When Payers Become Producers: Inside the PBM Private-Labeling Trend
Today’s guest post comes from Benjamin Hinton II, Senior Market Access Solutions Analyst at MMIT.
Benjamin reviews the growing trend of PBMs vertically integrating into the production of biosimilars. He shares data from an MMIT survey of 20 large national payers, independent plans, Blues affiliates and PBMs (excluding participants). The findings shed light on payers' view of biosimilar conpetition, contracting challenges, and other issues.
Click here to learn more about MMIT’s Custom Market Research offering for biosimilar manufacturers.
Read on for Benjamin’s insights.
Benjamin reviews the growing trend of PBMs vertically integrating into the production of biosimilars. He shares data from an MMIT survey of 20 large national payers, independent plans, Blues affiliates and PBMs (excluding participants). The findings shed light on payers' view of biosimilar conpetition, contracting challenges, and other issues.
Click here to learn more about MMIT’s Custom Market Research offering for biosimilar manufacturers.
Read on for Benjamin’s insights.
Labels:
Guest Post,
Sponsored Post
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Can Rite Aid Recover?
Last fall, poor ol’ Rite Aid finally succumbed to bankruptcy. It was pretty much the definition of an expected surprise.
To get a comprehensive look at the company’s ever-declining fortunes, DCI rummaged around the compnay's numerous bankruptcy filings. Below, you’ll find our review of Rite Aid’s current financial situation, shrinking store footprint, changing relationship with key wholesaler McKesson, surprisingly optimistic projections, and more.
Drug Channels has been tracking retail pharmacies’ economic and business challenges—and Rite Aid’s troubles—for many years. Consider this article to be an opportunity for some fact-based analysis to replace your schadenfreude.
To get a comprehensive look at the company’s ever-declining fortunes, DCI rummaged around the compnay's numerous bankruptcy filings. Below, you’ll find our review of Rite Aid’s current financial situation, shrinking store footprint, changing relationship with key wholesaler McKesson, surprisingly optimistic projections, and more.
Drug Channels has been tracking retail pharmacies’ economic and business challenges—and Rite Aid’s troubles—for many years. Consider this article to be an opportunity for some fact-based analysis to replace your schadenfreude.
Labels:
Channel Management,
Pharmacy,
Pharmacy Economics,
Wholesalers
Friday, August 09, 2024
IRA Reality Check: Four Strategies for Adapting Hub and Copay Programs
Today’s guest post comes from Chris Dowd, Senior VP of Market Development at ConnectiveRx.
Chris reviews recent developments for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). He then recommends four IRA-related adjustments that manufacturers should make to their patient support programs.
To learn more, register for ConnectiveRx’s free webinar on September 17: IRA Reality Check: Adapting Hub and Copay Programs to Ensure Patient Access and Affordability.
Read on for Chris’s insights.
Chris reviews recent developments for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). He then recommends four IRA-related adjustments that manufacturers should make to their patient support programs.
To learn more, register for ConnectiveRx’s free webinar on September 17: IRA Reality Check: Adapting Hub and Copay Programs to Ensure Patient Access and Affordability.
Read on for Chris’s insights.
Labels:
Guest Post,
Sponsored Post
Tuesday, August 06, 2024
Follow the 340B Prescription Dollar: How PBMs Profit from 340B Contract Pharmacies (Video)
In my recent The 340B Drug Pricing Program: Trends, Controversies, and Outlook video webinar, I provided an update on the economics of the 340B program, reviewed the multiple controversies surrounding the program’s operations, discussed state and federal legislation, and analyzed how the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) will alter the 340B market.
In the video excerpt below, I walk through a brief history of 340B contract pharmacies. I then document how five multi-billion-dollar, for-profit, publicly traded pharmacy chains and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—Cigna (via Express Scripts), CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group (via OptumRx), and Walgreens, Walmart—continue to dominate the 340B contract pharmacy market. I conclude with a “follow the dollar” example of 340B prescription economics with contract pharmacies.
If this clip whets your appetite for more, register to watch a replay of the full 90-minute video webinar from June.
You can also check out our recent data deep dive: Hospitals Are Relying More on PBMs to Manage Manufacturers' 340B Contract Pharmacy Restrictions: DCI's 2024 Market Analysis.
Click here if you can’t see the video below.
In the video excerpt below, I walk through a brief history of 340B contract pharmacies. I then document how five multi-billion-dollar, for-profit, publicly traded pharmacy chains and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—Cigna (via Express Scripts), CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group (via OptumRx), and Walgreens, Walmart—continue to dominate the 340B contract pharmacy market. I conclude with a “follow the dollar” example of 340B prescription economics with contract pharmacies.
If this clip whets your appetite for more, register to watch a replay of the full 90-minute video webinar from June.
You can also check out our recent data deep dive: Hospitals Are Relying More on PBMs to Manage Manufacturers' 340B Contract Pharmacy Restrictions: DCI's 2024 Market Analysis.
Click here if you can’t see the video below.
Labels:
340B,
Hospitals,
PBMs,
Pharmacy,
Pharmacy Economics,
Specialty Drugs,
Video
Friday, August 02, 2024
Mid-Year Hub Review: Five Considerations for Staying Ahead of the Curve
Today’s guest post comes from Stacey Little, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at AssistRx.
Stacey provides five crucial questions to help life science companies evaluate providers of patient support programs (PSPs).
To learn more, register for AssistRx's free three-part webinar series: Ahead of the Curve: Considerations for your 2025 Patient Support Program.
Read on for Stacey’s insights.
Stacey provides five crucial questions to help life science companies evaluate providers of patient support programs (PSPs).
To learn more, register for AssistRx's free three-part webinar series: Ahead of the Curve: Considerations for your 2025 Patient Support Program.
Read on for Stacey’s insights.
Labels:
Guest Post,
Sponsored Post
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Drug Channels News Roundup, July 2024: My $0.02 on FTC’s PBM Report, GoodRx & Humira, Averon = CVS + Cardinal, IRA vs. 340B, and My Favorite Chart
Bello! The hot and hazy days of summer are here. Go for a swim to cool off and then enjoy this refreshing selection of articles chosen by Drug Channels para tu.
P.S. Join my more than 57,000 LinkedIn followers for daily links to neat stuff along with thoughtful and provocative commentary from the DCI community.
- Did the FTC’s compelling interim report prove its case?
- GoodRx joins the Humira biosimilar price war with Boehringer Ingelheim
- Averon revealed to be a new buying group for biosimilars for CVS Health and Cardinal Health
- Why the IRA will be bad news for 340B hospitals
P.S. Join my more than 57,000 LinkedIn followers for daily links to neat stuff along with thoughtful and provocative commentary from the DCI community.
Have you requested an invite to the inaugural Drug Channels Leadership Forum? Attendance will be highly limited, so apply now. Full agenda coming in early September!
Monday, July 29, 2024
Informa Connect’s Medicaid Drug Rebate Program Summit
Informa Connect’s Medicaid Drug Rebate Program Summit
September 23-25, 2024 | Chicago, IL
Drug Channels readers save 10% with code 24DRCH10*
Experts from across the US come together each year to conquer the complex, ever-evolving MDRP regulatory guidelines and accelerate their careers by sourcing world-class content alongside everyone who matters in Medicaid.
September 23-25, 2024 | Chicago, IL
Drug Channels readers save 10% with code 24DRCH10*
Experts from across the US come together each year to conquer the complex, ever-evolving MDRP regulatory guidelines and accelerate their careers by sourcing world-class content alongside everyone who matters in Medicaid.
Join Informa Connect in Chicago on September 23-25 for the 2024 Medicaid Drug Rebate Program Summit. You’ll benefit from three days of learning, education and networking, and will return to the office having mastered regulatory guidelines to deliver compliant government pricing and reporting programs.
More than 100 world class speakers are slated to present deep dive sessions, workshops and panels covering these topics and more:
*Cannot be combined with other offers or used towards a current registration. Cannot be combined with special category rates or other offers. Other restrictions may apply.
The content of Sponsored Posts does not necessarily reflect the views of HMP Omnimedia, LLC, Drug Channels Institute, its parent company, or any of its employees. To find out how you can promote an event on Drug Channels, please contact Paula Fein (paula@DrugChannels.net).
More than 100 world class speakers are slated to present deep dive sessions, workshops and panels covering these topics and more:
- State of the Industry Panel - Covington & Burling, Healthcare Leadership Council, NORD, PhRMA and Horizon Government Affairs discuss modeling potential outcomes post-election.
- State Dispute Resolution Meetings - Manufacturers and States come together to discuss issues or questions related to rebates, reporting and more. Confirmed states include: Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • District of Columbia • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Louisiana • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Montana • Nebraska • New Hampshire • New Mexico • New York • Nevada • North Carolina • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • Tennessee • Virginia • Wisconsin.
- Best Practices and Policy Ideas Town Hall - Listen in on an open dialogue covering processing claims, bid cycles, P&T meetings, reimbursement and more, led by Gainwell Technologies, Gilead Sciences, IL HFS Medicaid Drug Rebate Unit, AstraZeneca, and Conduent.
- Ask the Attorneys Panel - Join this open Q&A with external counsel from Sidley Austin LLP and Latham & Watkins to get answers to your most challenging questions.
- OIG Address - The Office of the Inspector General reviews recent OIG evaluations involving prescription drug pricing, payment and coverage.
- Two Sessions from HRSA - Key Updates from HRSA’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs on the 340B Program and HRSA 340B Program Manufacturer Audit Process.
- Workshops and Tracks throughout the Summit Covering GP 101, GTN Best Practices, Practical Strategies for Emerging, Small, and Mid-Sized Companies, State Drug Price Transparency, 340B, IRA, Tech and AI, State Level Trends, GP Recalculations across Government Programs, Smoothing Program Updates, and PDAB and SPTR Best Practices.
- Back by Popular Demand - Closed Door Executive Strategy Summit!
- And much more!
*Cannot be combined with other offers or used towards a current registration. Cannot be combined with special category rates or other offers. Other restrictions may apply.
The content of Sponsored Posts does not necessarily reflect the views of HMP Omnimedia, LLC, Drug Channels Institute, its parent company, or any of its employees. To find out how you can promote an event on Drug Channels, please contact Paula Fein (paula@DrugChannels.net).
Friday, July 26, 2024
Crafting Effective, Patient-Centric Channel Strategies
Today’s guest post comes from Joshua Guinter, Vice President of Channel Strategy and Product Access at Cencora.
Josh discusses the importance of a customized channel strategy for manufacturers. He outlines four key considerations that will ensure a successful strategy.
Click here to learn more about Cencora’s manufacturer solutions.
Read on for Josh’s insights.
Josh discusses the importance of a customized channel strategy for manufacturers. He outlines four key considerations that will ensure a successful strategy.
Click here to learn more about Cencora’s manufacturer solutions.
Read on for Josh’s insights.
Labels:
Guest Post,
Sponsored Post
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Gross-to-Net Bubble Update: 2023 Pricing Realities at 10 Top Drugmakers
It’s time for Drug Channels’ annual update on pricing at the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers.
This year’s review includes the following 10 companies: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Takeda, Teva, and UCB. You can find links to each company’s data below.
These data remain inconvenient for drug pricing flat earthers (#DPFE):
This year’s review includes the following 10 companies: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Takeda, Teva, and UCB. You can find links to each company’s data below.
These data remain inconvenient for drug pricing flat earthers (#DPFE):
- When rebates and discounts were factored in, brand-name drug prices again declined—or grew slowly—in 2023. For the companies that experienced net price gains in their portfolios, net prices grew more slowly than—or only slightly faster than—the overall inflation rate.
- Rebates and discounts reduced the selling prices of brand-name drugs at the biggest drugmakers to less than half of their list prices.
- For the eight companies with multiple years of data, the gross-to-net difference in price changes remained sizable. See the second chart below.
Labels:
Costs/Reimbursement,
Gross-to-Net Bubble,
PBMs
Friday, July 19, 2024
Optimizing Product Commercialization in Today’s IDN Environment
Today’s guest post comes from Greg Skalicky, President, EVERSANA; Krista Pinto, President, Deployment Solutions, EVERSANA; and Faruk Abdullah, President, Professional Services & Chief Business Officer, EVERSANA
Greg, Krista, and Faruk explain how and why integrated delivery networks (IDNs) have become crucial stakeholders for drug commercialization. They outline a two-pronged strategy to help brand teams thrive in today’s IDN landscape.
To learn more, read EVERSANA’s free report: IDN Trends and Engagement Strategies Every Drug Manufacturer Needs to Know.
Read on for Greg, Krista, and Faruk’s insights.
Greg, Krista, and Faruk explain how and why integrated delivery networks (IDNs) have become crucial stakeholders for drug commercialization. They outline a two-pronged strategy to help brand teams thrive in today’s IDN landscape.
To learn more, read EVERSANA’s free report: IDN Trends and Engagement Strategies Every Drug Manufacturer Needs to Know.
Read on for Greg, Krista, and Faruk’s insights.
Labels:
Guest Post,
Sponsored Post