Russel Allinson, RPh, MS

With the novel agents in the age-related macular degeneration pipeline, drug makers are taking advantage of an opportunity for innovation.

The specialty pharmacy market developed treatments that have significantly improved outcomes for patients with pulmunary artierual hypertension, progressive, incurable disease.

Pharmacists can collaborate with oncologists to maximize patient outcomes through appropriate dispensing, side-effect monitoring, and adherence.

Researchers assess new study models and investigate triple drug therapies to fight hepatitis C infection.

The blood modifier category of drugs works stimulating bone marrow to produce more cells and they affect certain diseases such as cancer and chronic kidney failure.

The next evolutionary step for specialty medications could lead to a new generation of cost-effective, noninvasive treatments for heart disease.

Newer pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes suggest a movement toward diabetes becoming a specialty disease state.

Pharmacists can collaborate with oncologists to maximize patient outcomes through appropriate dispensing, side-effect monitoring, and adherence.

Patients seeking treatment for infertility are a unique group who can benefit greatly from the services of a sensitive and readily-available specialty pharmacist.

Psoriasis affects approximately 7.5 million Americans, and patients spend up to $3.2 billion annually treating the disease. As biologics become more readily available, pharmacists have an increasing opportunity to create a specialty practice focused on psoriasis.

Patients with asthma have many options for treatment, including the biologic omalizumab (Xolair). Pharmacists who utilize a properly executed medication therapy management program will promote increased adherence to treatment.

When patients have immunodeficiency conditions that require immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG), clinicians must consider carefully which IVIG product will have the fewest adverse effects and the highest level of efficacy.

The pharmacist plays an important role in the pharmaceutical care of patients undergoing treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). The new American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Practice Guidelines are a wealth of information about HCV and provide an invaluable foundation for the care of these patients.

Manufacturers are preparing to expand the use of hyaluronate products to treat osteoarthritis, including a one-time injection that has been successful in Europe.

The Patient-Centric Model program seeks to improve adherence and manage a patient's refills pro-actively-it also provides a more holistic approach to specialty medication management.

The first in a new series of regular commentaries on the fast-growing field of specialty pharmacy.