Pharmacy Insights Podcast

On this episode of the Pharmacy Insights podcast, host Scott Draeger welcomes Optum Rx SVP of Industry Relations,  Jamey Millar and Optum Rx SVP of formulary management, Savitha Vivian to discuss the implications of new biosimilar alternatives to expensive biologic drugs. 

While the operational side of the pharmacy care services business rarely garners headlines, the efforts of operations teams are vital to making prescription medications accessible and affordable. Optum Rx Senior Vice President of Clinical Consulting, Scott Draeger recently welcomed Jason Greenberg, Optum Rx Chief of Operations, and Katie Schumacher, Vice President of digital products at Optum Rx to discuss how ongoing innovations in operations are helping to help improve the pharmacy benefit management experience for plan sponsors, providers, and members. 

Guest: Optum Rx Chief Pharmacy Officer, Michael Einodshofer.
As costly specialty medications continue to enter the market, “alternative funding” is pitched as a way for self-funded employers to make their employees and dependents eligible for “free” medications. Is this a sustainable solution? And what financial, clinical, and even legal risks does this approach entail?

Guest: Sr. Vice President, Optum Rx Clinical and Formulary Services, Savitha Vivian. Long established in Europe, biosimilar alternatives to popular and costly biologic drugs are finally poised to make an impact in the U.S. With biosimilar alternatives to Humira now launching, what does that mean for prescription drug spending?

Guest: Optum Rx Chief Pharmacy Officer, Michael Einodshofer.
Specialty medications continue to be the single largest driver of prescription drug spending. What separates specialty from traditional pharmacy and what specifics steps can be taken to mitigate rising specialty spend? What do new advances such as gene therapies mean for future specialty costs?