Rising Drug Costs

Welcome to this FDA/CMS Summit for Payers podcast.

Below is a teaser from our podcast with Bill Winkenwerder, Former CEO, Highmark Inc.

Access the complete podcast and transcript here.

How should manufacturers determine drug prices and what consideration should there be?

Bill: Well, certainly manufacturers need to recover their costs – their investment in R&D – and it’s important that they make a profit. Nobody can be in business for any period of time without being able to make a profit. Now, more recently – especially with respect to certain manufacturers that have brought very expensive medications to the market – have been criticized and have been identified as charging too much. That’s the common perception, but I see the immediate evidence that the prices for these medications – given the relatively small population of people that would benefit from them – that there is a serious over-charging that’s going on. But, certainly we need to sit down and talk and determine if there is a better way to arrive at the price. What is a fair price? What is a good, market-based price? That’s what this Conference is about.


To see more from Dr. Winkenwerder, download the complete podcast here.

Download the updated event brochure here. 

Bill will be joining us at the FDA/CMS Summit for Payers in Washington D.C. for his closing keynote address "An Industry Perspective: Payment Policy for Clinically Valuable But Very Expensive Pharmaceuticals" on Friday December 12th.

Register now to save an extra $100 off the current rate with the code XP1917BLOG.

See you in Washington D.C.

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, New Drug Review: 2013 Update

FDA/CMS Summit 2014 speaker John K. Jenkins, M.D., Director, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA.

 




Below you can access his presentation from last December at the FDA/CMS Summit. In his presentation, Dr. Jenkins addresses these key topics:

•    How is CDER doing with regard to meeting PDUFA goals?
•    What are the trends in new drug approvals?
          o    IND activity, NME submissions, and NME approvals
•    Implementation of PDUFA V/FDASIA
          o    “Program” for NME review
          o    Breakthrough Therapy Designation Program
•    Update on PMCs/PMRs


Dr. Jenkins also addresses the main themes in new drug review:

•    Continuing resolution – the new normal
•    PDUFA V; hold the additional resources
•    FDASIA implementation; what new resources?
•    The “Program” takes off
•    Breakthroughs breaking out
•    Sequestration bites
•    Shutdown shuffle
•    Patient-focused drug development refocused
•    “Slow down?” in NME approvals – not really
•    Despite challenges, new drug review program successes continue!

To access the complete presentation from Dr. Jenkins, click here.

Join us this December 11-12 in Washington D.C. to hear Dr. Jenkins address these challenges for the upcoming year. This is an event you do not want to miss. Register now and save $300 off the standard rate, just use the code XP1917BLOG at checkout. To register, click here.

Last Chance to Register for IIR's Specialty Pharmacy Collaboration Summit

 

Hurry! There's still time left to register for
IIR's Specialty Pharmacy Collaboration Summit!
Online registration closes this Sunday, September 14th
Register Now >>

IIR's Specialty Pharmacy Collaboration Summit is in 4 days! Don't miss out on the only event in the industry offering you the opportunity to partner directly with all the key stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy value chain to increase patient adherence, expand distribution and improve bottom line.


Across three days, you will:

• Hear never-before-heard case studies on accountable care impact on payer provider relations from BCBS, Tufts Health Plan, Denver Health Medical Plan, and more!
• Learn how to overcome the four key challenges in the specialty pharmacy ecosystem:
       o Adherence
       o Managing Costs and Determining Value of Specialty Drugs
       o Distribution of Specialty Drugs and Channel Management
       o Sustainability of the Specialty Pharmacy Model
• Improve operations and enhance compliance in the Pre-Conference Workshop with TWO specialty pharmacy accreditations - URAC and CPPA
• Facilitate more face-to-face meetings to foster meaningful engagement and build relationships with the event specific partnering360 networking tool

Download the updated brochure for full agenda and speaker details.

Don't forget! Online registration closes this Sunday, September 14th! Click here to register. Please be sure to use code XP1968BLOG in order to save $100 off you registration.

Rite Aid Receives URAC Accreditation in Specialty Pharmacy

In April, Rite Aid announced that it had been awarded Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation from URAC – an independent nonprofit organization that is well-known for promoting healthcare quality through its accreditation education and measurement programs.

“We are very proud to have received full accreditation as a specialty pharmacy provider from URAC” said Robert Thompson Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “Every day Rite Aid pharmacists are committed to providing all of our patients especially those receiving specialty pharmacy treatments with the best care possible. This designation from URAC recognizes our efforts and is great achievement for our Specialty Pharmacy team.”

"By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation Rite Aid has demonstrated a commitment to quality healthcare” said URAC President and CEO Kylanne Green. “In today’s healthcare market URAC accreditation provides a mark of distinction and we applaud Rite Aid for meeting strict quality standards and achieving URAC Specialty Pharmacy accreditation.”

At IIR’s Specialty Pharmacy Collaboration Summit, you can navigate the complex accreditation process with URAC and CPPA.

The number of specialty pharmacies is increasing exponentially. Therefore, maintaining a competitive advantage is critical for specialty pharmacies. Payers and manufacturers utilize accreditation as a key tool in determining which specialty pharmacies to partner with.

At IIR's all-new Specialty Pharmacy Collaboration Summit, hear from TWO leading specialty pharmacy accreditation associations as part of the Pre-Conference workshop on Monday, September 15th. URAC and CPPA will guide you through the complex guideline requirements for accreditation and the continuous quality improvement process to ensure patient safety.

Here's why you need to reserve your seat at this two-in-one accreditation workshop:

Payers & Manufacturers
• Equip yourself with information on quality standards
• Learn how to evaluate your partners better improving your bottom line
• Understand the accreditation process
• Make informed decisions on criteria used to assess specialty pharmacies

Specialty Pharmacies
• Understand the specifics of each accreditation and the criteria you will be assessed on
• Learn how to go about the process of receiving this endorsement
• Understand what payers and manufacturers look for when making a decision

Download the updated brochure for the full agenda and speaker details.

Don't miss out! Friday, August 22nd is your last chance to save up to $300! Click here or call 888-670-8200 to register. Be sure to use the code XP1968BLOG to save!