Specialty Pharmacies

What are Specialty Pharmacies?

Payer-aligned specialty pharmacies have the technology and clinical experience to enhance the safety, quality of care of patients receiving specialty medications. Pharmacists and physicians at specialty pharmacies offer support to patients with complex medical conditions such as: blood disorders, cancer, Crohn’s disease, HIV/AIDS, infertility, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, among others.

RESEARCH SHOWS US

Specialty drug benefit management goes beyond price negotiations and plays an important role in improving health outcomes.

Given the complexity of specialty drugs, patients require active clinical management, considerable education, and sophisticated logistical support for administering and optimizing the therapeutic outcomes of these drugs. Specialty and other high-cost medications are often misused and underutilized without PBM and specialty pharmacy management programs, support systems, and monitoring tools in place.

Specialty pharmacies play an important role in patient care.

They provide:

  • 24 hour access to specially trained pharmacists and technicians.

  • Physician consultations to address patient side effects.

  • Adverse reactions and non adherence.

  • Patient care management services to ensure patient safety.

  • Data analytics that drive better patient outcomes.

What is a Specialty Drug?

A specialty drug possesses any number of these common attributes:

  • Prescribed for a person with a complex or chronic medical condition,

  • Treats rare or orphan diseases,

  • Requires advanced patient education, adherence, and support, Is oral, injectable, inhalable, or infusible,

  • Has a high monthly cost,

  • Has unique storage or shipment requirements, Is not stocked at a majority of retail