Specialty Pharmacy

Some pharmaceutical manufacturers choose a limited distribution model for their specialty product so that they can ensure all standards of care and reporting associated with that therapy are upheld, noted Duane Barnes, senior vice president, consumer delivery, Prime Therapeutics, at the 2013 Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit.

Cardinal Health today launched the Specialty Pharmacy Alliance, a new suite of services that make it easier for community pharmacies to improve their patients' access to and compliance with specialty medications.

Prime Therapeutics projects that by 2017, the cost of specialty pharmaceuticals will be half the cost of all pharmacy claims. Therefore, noted Duane Barnes, senior vice president, consumer delivery at Prime Therapeutics, it is important for a PBM to align its medical and pharmacy policies.

Debbie Stern of Rxperts highlights the various "unknowns" surrounding the potential cost savings of biosimilar products, such as interchangeability and the possible need for additional clinical trials.