Drug Channels
Expert insights from Dr. Adam J. Fein on pharmaceutical economics and the drug distribution system. https://www.drugchannels.net/

Drug Channels's articles

  1. Data & Insights

Bridging the Gap in Patient Support: How GoodRx is Revolutionizing Access to Specialty Meds

Today’s guest post is from Divya Iyer, SVP Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy at GoodRx. Divya argues that patient support programs (PSPs) struggle with awareness and accessibility, preventing patients from fully benefiting from the financial and educational resources available to them. Divya discusses how integrating digital solutions from GoodRx can enhance engagement, streamline access to therapy, and […]
2 min read
0
  1. Trends & External Forces

Transparency vs. Reality: Troubling Lessons from PBM Disclosure Laws

Last week, President Trump signed yet another executive order, this time promising to make healthcare pricing more transparent. While this marks another federal push for disclosure, states have already been quite active in this space. Since 2017, 24 states have passed 38 laws targeting healthcare transparency, with a strong focus on unraveling the complex economics […]
2 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

PBM Industry Update: Trends, Challenges, and What’s Ahead (NEW Live Video Webinar)

Dr. Adam J. Fein, president of Drug Channels Institute (DCI) and the author of Drug Channels, invites you to join him for DCI’s new live video webinar: PBM Industry Update: Trends, Challenges, and What’s Ahead This event will be broadcast live on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET This page […]
5 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

Patient Care’s Next Big Shift: 80% of Leaders Say This Is the Game Changer

Today’s guest post comes from Scott Genone, Chief Product Officer at CareMetx. Scott shares key findings from CareMetx’s recent survey of over 100 industry leaders. He explains how such advanced technologies as AI and machine learning will reshape patient services and improve the experience for both patients and healthcare providers. To view the full survey […]
2 min read
0
  1. Department: HBC

Available for Preorder: The 2025 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers

On March 18, 2025, Drug Channels Institute will release The 2025 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. This report—our sixteenth edition—remains the most comprehensive, fact-based tool for understanding the entire U.S. drug pricing, reimbursement, and dispensing system. This unique, encyclopedic resource is your ultimate guide to the complex web of interactions within […]
3 min read
0
  1. Media & Marketing

Drug Channels News Roundup, February 2025: Part D vs. Pharmacies, Accumulator Madness, Wholesaler Vertical Integration, IRA vs. MDs, and a 340B Cartoon

Winter—or at least February—is almost over. Celebrate the imminent return of spring with our selection of noteworthy news from around the drug channel. In this issue: How Part D plan sponsors responded to pharmacy DIR changes Troubling new data on copay accumulators in marketplace plans DCI’s latest vertical integration visualization How the IRA will hurt […]
2 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

From Data Gaps to Revenue Gains: Harnessing the Power of Comprehensive Data to Drive GTN

Today’s guest post comes from Thomas Luby, Sr. Vice President, Business Development at PHIL. Thomas discusses the challenges brands face as they manage gross-to-net (GTN) performance while simultaneously enhancing patient access and adherence. He lists the key performance indicators that can help brands improve GTN. To learn more, watch PHIL’s free on-demand webinar: Four Patient Access […]
2 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

Vanishing Act: Why Small Pharmacies Exited Medicare Part D Networks for 2025

Abracadabra! Small pharmacies have ghosted Medicare Part D’s preferred networks—no farewell party, no breakup text, just a quiet exit. A few months ago , DCI highlighted how the largest pharmacy chains are participating as preferred cost sharing pharmacies in the 2025 stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) networks. Today, we update our exclusive analysis of how […]
2 min read
0
  1. Corporate Strategy

Compliance is Futile Without Transparency: 340B, MDRP, MFP Overlap Lead to Iceberg Ahead

Today’s guest post comes from Angie Franks, CEO at Kalderos Angie describes the compliance challenges that stakeholders face in managing the complex interactions of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, and IRA’s Maximum Fair Price and inflation rebate provisions. She explains how clean, comprehensive claims data can resolve these issues. To learn […]
2 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

Why Plan Sponsors and PBMs Are Still Falling Hard for Copay Maximizers

Valentine’s Day is almost here! So, it’s time for our romantic review of plan sponsors’ sweetheart: the accumulators and maximizers that divert manufacturers’ copay support payments away from patients—and toward plans and PBMs. As of late 2024, more than 40% of commercially insured lives were in plans that utilize a copay accumulator or a maximizer. […]
2 min read
0
  1. Department: HBC

Today’s Rare Disease Launches Require the Right Specialty Pharmacy Partner

Today’s guest post comes from Richard Faris, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy. Richard outlines the key factors for commercialization success when a manufacturer launches treatments for rare and orphan diseases. He explains the key considerations for choosing a specialty pharmacy network design, selecting the right pharmacy partners, and establishing patient services […]
2 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

Vertical Integration Redux: How Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Are Transforming the Buy-and-Bill Market (Video)

ICYMI, the largest three pharmaceutical wholesalers—Cardinal Health, Cencora, and McKesson—are using vertical integration to build significant market positions in businesses beyond drug distribution. In the video clip below, I review the vertical integration status of the largest three pharmaceutical wholesalers, illustrated in the chart below. [Click to Enlarge] I also: Explain how wholesalers have strengthened […]
2 min read
0