The FDA pipeline now includes more then 600 injectable and infusible products in mid to late-stage development.  The vast majority of these drugs are new generation bio-therapies that will redefine the term ‘expensive’ once they are approved.  These potential block buster specialty pharmaceuticals present manufacturers with exciting opportunities.

Product Management
Manufacturers have begun to realize that specialty pharmacies can be exceptional partners in their launch and ongoing management of both new but existing products.

New products, are under the close watchful eye of the FDA in light if recent, post-approval adverse events.  In these cases, the FDA and the manufacturers are keenly aware of the need to closely monitor patients on these therapies to identify unexpected drug reactions, interactions and unexpected emergent conditions.  Specialty pharmacies are well positioned to provide intensely close patient monitoring and therapy management to help shepherd these patients through their courses of therapy.

Existing products, even those that are well-established, may similarly benefit from a preferred distribution arrangement through specialty pharmacies.  Increased compliance and outcomes tracking are just two of the key benefits that these pharmacies can offer.

Physician Support
Specialty pharmacies generally enjoy long-established relationships with key prescribing physicians that routinely prescribe specialty pharmaceuticals.  Their community presence significantly fosters ongoing communication with these physicians.  When physicians know that a therapy is efficacious and, by working closely with the specialty pharmacy, these therapies can be better managed, and integrated into their patients’ care plans.  Physician satisfaction with specialty pharmacy programs averages well above 90% Good-Excellent.

Information Technology
Pharmaceutical manufacturers understand that data is the fuel that drives each product’s marketing plan.  Total prescription counts and revenue data are generally readily available.  However, detailed information on patient adherence, persistence and compliance - coupled with product efficacy measures - can only be tracked and reported by working closely with each and every patient.  Specialty pharmacies have demonstrated their effectiveness in providing this information. 

Please contact us at Armada Health Care for details on how Armada aggregates data from all member pharmacies to provide unprecedented specialty pharmacy specific reporting for manufacturers.