Pharmacy's Offering Opioid Overdose Reversal Medication - Helpful or Not?

Today's blog features a controversial topic. Thomas DePietro, owner of DePietro Pharmacy is claiming that he wants to naloxone to be provided where it's needed most. He's found that offering the overdose reversal drug has led to improved communication and to more interest in keeping this drug on hand in case of an emergency.

"There’s a standing order in Pennsylvania where anyone can walk into a pharmacy and ask for naloxone,” DePietro said. “But we’re not seeing it used frequently because there’s a stigma associated with it. And a lot of pharmacists are hesitant to offer it to the patient out of fear of ruining the relationship. The patient might say, ‘what does Tom think, that I’m abusing my medicine?"

What do you think? Check out the full article HERE for more. 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Generic Drugs Trend Upward in Workers Compensation

According to a report recently released by Coventry Workers Comp Services, generic drug prescribing and use continues to trend upward in workers compensation.

Jennifer Barrett of Pharmacy Times reports, "Analyzing both cost and utilization, the report shows continued reliance on generic medications that outpaces brand-name products, although market trends for both prescription groups differentiate." Generic drug prescriptions have even demonstrated an overall upswing compared to brand-name medications, which have exhibited a decline in cost and utilization. 

To learn more on this topic, please click HERE! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Cost Sharing Falling as Value-Based Insurance Rises

Today's blog features the Benefits Pro article that highlights the value-based insurance design. Even though Republicans are struggling to pass the Affordable Care Act, there are still some changes on the horizon that could pay off for patients in lower costs and better health.

Marlene Satter explains, "The change is that insurers provide more generous coverage of high-value care, while cutting coverage of services that aren’t as necessary to a patient’s health." Satter continues, "Studies show that value-based “carrot” programs, which help patients with chronic illnesses stay out of the hospital by cutting cost-sharing on high-value medications, boost patient use of medication, at least a little."

To learn more, please read the full article HERE! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

How Rare are Rare Diseases?

Today we're sharing a recent post from Express Scripts that asks the question, "How rare are rare diseases?" While rare diseases are uncommon, there are still 7,000 known rare diseases impacting over 10% of Americans every day.

ESI writes, "Rare diseases remain both difficult to research and diagnose. In fact, on average patients wait nearly five years for an accurate rare disease diagnosis and see an average of seven physicians during that time. Access to treatments from both a cost and availability standpoint is another." 

The cost of orphan drugs and non-orphan drug is a big topic of conversation surrounding this reality. To learn more, please click HERE! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Data Helps Docs Prescribe Opioids Safely

Today's blog features the recently published Express Scripts article that highlights the new addition of possibly mandating provider education around pain management as a way to address the nation's opioid crisis.

Express Scripts writes, "Express Scripts Advanced Opioid ManagementSM solution works comprehensively with patients, pharmacies and – critically important – physicians, to minimize early exposure while helping to prevent progression to overuse and abuse." 

Very interesting read. To view the full article please click HERE! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Older Americans Don't Seek Help From Health Professionals for Drug Costs

Kaitlynn Ely of Pharmacy Times recently reported that the University of Michigan National Poll showed at aging Americans, ages 50 and over take 2 or more prescriptions that take a toll on their finances. Most of these individuals don't seek help from their doctors or pharmacists, with some opting to not take the medication completely.

Preeti Malani, MD, director of the poll and a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, said “we see a need for health professionals to find ways to more routinely engage with patients about cost, especially through formal medication reviews such as the one that Medicare will cover.” 

Learn more by checking out the full article HERE! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Biosimilars: Progress Today, Billions in Savings Tomorrow

Today's blog features the recently published Express Scripts article that takes a deeper look into the effectiveness of biosimilars. Biosimilars have the potential to offer clinical equivalents to some of the most expensive prescription drugs. 

"Biosimilars are similar to generic drugs, providing alternatives to original biologic therapies which typically are injected and treat many of the most complex medical conditions, such as cancer, rare diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. They do not have clinically meaningful distinctions in safety, purity and potency from the original biologics."

The potential cost savings has shown to be very significant. ESI research has identified a $250 billion savings opportunity over the next decade if a group of 11 biosimilars are approved. 

Learn about the most recent approvals and more information on this topic by clicking HERE!

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.