Brandon Salke, Pharm.D., Pharmacist-in-Charge, Optime Care featured in Healthcare Business Today: https://www.healthcarebusinesstoday.com/people-with-rare-chronic-disease-benefit-from-patient-first-approach-to-specialty-drug-management/
The U.S. defines rare disease as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people, with a total number of rare disease patients estimated to be 25-30 million. The cost of specialty drugs is estimated to rise 21-24% annually over the next few years because of substantial direct and indirect economic burdens for the patient, unpaid family caregivers and the U.S. health system.
This article highlights the challenges of rare diseases and the adoption of a patient-first approach to administering and managing specialty medications. In a patient-first approach, every decision across the care team focuses on what works best for the patient which enables clinical teams to better support the patient and their caregiver.
Specialty pharmacists who have training and expertise with high cost, high touch therapies for rare disease patients will be able to cultivate deeper relationships with patients, offer personalized information, care insights and a higher level of support in a patient-first approach.
Choosing a patient-first Specialty drug management solution can streamline prior authorizations and appeals, data and analytics, enhanced patient care coordination and patient journey mapping which can provide a higher quality of life for the patient and lead to more cost-effective care and improved clinical outcomes.
