Jackie Lee discusses specialty drugs with Kerri Miller, Pharm.D., and Sarah Hellems, FSA, as part of an ongoing series for the Pharmacy Strategic Initiative.  Together, they discuss innovations in the approval process, and dissect the magnitude and drivers of high costs, including effective and potential cost controls, from prior authorizations to accurate diagnoses, to modifying rebate contracts by incorporating outcome-based [value-based] metrics.  Actuaries are given insight into how they can move the needle in progressing efforts to expand access to specialty drugs in health plans, as well as making them more affordable.