2008 Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy

The 2008 Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) revealed a number of issues facing the pharmacy market today.

Even though the overall growth of the prescription market decreased in 2007 compared to 2006, one area that continues to grow is the specialty pharmaceuticals/biologics market. The pipeline for specialty drugs continues to expand, especially in the oncology area.

The continued growth of the cost of specialty pharmaceuticals increases the concern of health plans and employers. Health plans need to control the cost of biologics while ensuring their members have access. Health plans are working to move the benefit from the medical to the pharmacy side.

Patient’s adherence with their medication is a growing issue for the industry as research revealed that the rate of first fill of prescriptions is strikingly low. E-Prescribing is often spoken as a way to help not only with adherence but also as an important way to help control the cost of prescriptions.

Another growing initiative is the use of Personal Health Records. There are an increasing number of success stories in the industry, although there needs to be an increased level of investment in the future. — John Santilli