Pharmland

From Concept to Cure: The Journey of a New Drug and Its Cost Impact

In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies explore the long and often arduous journey of drug development – from early clinical trials to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and beyond. Learn more about how pharmaceutical companies decide which drugs to pursue, why only 10% of potential therapeutic agents make it to market as a new drug, and how that impacts the price of a drug and therefore, pharmacy plans.
Plus, Bradley and Tom explore the history of FDA regulations, the complexities of clinical trials, and the controversial strategies manufacturers use to extend patents, delay generics, and protect market dominance – all of which shape today’s pharmaceutical landscape.
Hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products
 

Complicated Pharmacy Math: Factors that Impact a Patient’s OOP Cost

What factors impact a patient’s cost at the pharmacy counter? 
 In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies dive into the complex world of the out-of-pocket cost a patient pays at the pharmacy and explore the forces that contribute to medication costs – from high-deductible health plans to formulary tiers, rebates, and PBM negotiations – and can lead to some major shock at the price tag. Listen as Bradley and Tom explain why more patients are facing tough decisions at checkout – and what can be done to help them make informed choices.  
Hosts:  
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services  
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products 
 

What the WAC? Decoding Pharmacy Pricing from Manufacturer to Pharmacy

“Where do different pharmacy pricing points fit in the life cycle of prescription drugs?”
In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies examine the intricacies of drug pricing. They break down how pricing evolves through the supply chain – from the manufacturer to the pharmacy – and explain key terms like Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC), and Average Wholesale Price (AWP). Gain a clearer understanding of how these costs influence drug costs and impact your pharmacy benefits strategy.
Hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services 
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products 

Pharmacy Plan Playbook: Goals, Strategies, and Smart Moves

“What are some good questions to ask HR benefits managers to help determine the most important goals for their pharmacy plans?”
In this episode of Pharmland, RxBenefits Clinical Pharmacist Specialist McKenzie Rice joins co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies to discuss how to evaluate what to consider when developing a pharmacy plan including the pharmacy benefit landscape, potential member impact from pharmacy plan changes, and how geography or industry can influence usage trends for high-cost medications like GLP1s. The conversation highlights details how to balance what is important to your organization and employees with cost containment strategies
 
Guest:
McKenzie Rice, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
 
Co-hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

Bio, Are They Really That Similar?

“Why are biosimilars taking so long to catch on?”
 
In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Clinical Services Principal Advisor about a hot topic within the pharmacy industry: biosimilars. The experts explore biosimilars and their  role in the pharmacy landscape, including how they can help mitigate skyrocketing specialty drug costs and why there hasn’t been an uptick in usage the way many experts expected. Tune in as they discuss what exactly a biosimilar is, as well as what the future holds for them and their place in the market.
 
Guest:
Ruth Opdycke, PharmD, Principal Advisor, Clinical Services
Co-hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products
 

Prior Authorizations: Are They Evil or Good?

S01 E04: Prior Authorizations: Are They Evil or Good?
“What’s the reason behind a prior authorization?”
In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Clinical Operations Manager Lindsay Miller about the intricate world of prior authorizations. They explore the complexities and challenges surrounding this critical process in healthcare, highlighting its impact on patients, providers, and payers alike. Tune in as they discuss strategies for streamlining prior authorization procedures, the balance between cost control and patient access, and the future of this pivotal aspect of pharmacy benefits management.
Guest:
Lindsay Miller ,PharmD, Manager, Clinical Pharmacists
 
Co-hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

GLP Indication #1 : Balancing guidelines and individualized treatment

GLP Indication #1 : Balancing guidelines and individualized treatment
“Should physicians rigidly adhere to treatment guidelines or prioritize accommodating patient preferences?”
Join hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies, alongside RxBenefits clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle, PharmD, as they discuss balancing GLP-1 treatment guidelines with individualized patient care, particularly for those with comorbidities, as well as the evolution of GLP-1s and their impact.
In this episode, the team explores how GLP-1 medications have transformed diabetes treatment over the past decade, including offering patients more convenient dosing options. They discuss practical strategies for plan sponsors to support medication adherence and lifestyle changes in support of disease management. And tackle an important issue that can result from class popularity – drug shortages.
Guest:
Langley Kyle, PharmD, Director, Clinical Services
Co-hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

Oh, Oh...Overpromise? The Truth Beyond the GLP-1 Trend

S01 E01: Oh, Oh...Overpromise? The Truth Beyond the GLP-1 Trend
“What’s really driving the interest around the phenomenon that we currently label as GLP-1s?”
In this episode of Pharmland, hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies dive deep into the world of GLP-1 medications for  weight loss alongside RxBenefits clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle, PharmD. They tackle pressing questions surrounding the surge in GLP-1 utilization, from the impact of direct-to-consumer marketing and celebrity endorsements to concerns about sustainability and potential side effects. Join them as they unravel the complexities of this pharmaceutical phenomenon and explore whether the promises made by these medications truly stand up to scrutiny.
Guest:
Langley Kyle, PharmD, Director, Clinical Services
 
Co-hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

Wait… Weight, What? Getting the Skinny on GLP-1s for Weight Management

S01 E01: Wait… Weight, What? Getting the Skinny on GLP-1s for Weight Management
 
“Why is weight-loss achievement the holy grail of drug development?”
In the premiere episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle, PharmD, about the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight-loss purposes — and discuss society’s changing attitudes toward obesity. As the healthcare industry comes to recognize obesity as a treatable health condition rather than a personal failing, plan sponsors find themselves examining their position on covering weight-loss medications as a class. And as GLP-1s originally indicated for type 2 diabetes are increasingly used for weight-management purposes, that decision — to cover, or not to cover? — becomes increasingly pricey.
 
Guest:
Langley Kyle, PharmD, Director, Clinical Services
 
Co-hosts:
Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services
Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products