This week, we are joined again by Scott Milner, senior director of pharmacy, business development, purchasing, 340B, and infusion services at St. Luke’s Health System in Idaho. We had spoken with Scott in January about the initial distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and we reconnected with him to hear about how St. Luke’s has responded to a recent surge in COVID cases from the Delta variant and its effect on 340B program management.

Redeploying Care for COVID-19 Patients

It’s been more than 18 months since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and Scott discusses the new treatments providers have advanced and how St. Luke’s is working to accommodate the surge in patients by adding more resources and redeploying teams. This includes setting up monoclonal antibody clinics for COVID patients. He also explains how the Delta variant affects the ability to manage care for patients with chronic conditions.

Responding to the 340B Community Pharmacy Dispute 

The need to redeploy teams has included St. Luke’s reassigning members of its 340B team to assist in the COVID-19 response. As a result, Scott describes how some drug company denials of 340B discounts on drugs dispensed at community pharmacies has been harder for St. Luke’s to overcome. He also explains the health system’s efforts to continue partnerships with independently owned community pharmacies despite the drug companies’ actions. 

Reaching More Patients with COVID-19 Vaccines 

To distribute the COVID-19 vaccine effectively, St. Luke's developed strategies to make the vaccines more accessible for historically underserved communities. Scott shares how St. Luke’s has been delivering vaccines through mobile clinics and shares examples about how he’s responded to concerns about COVID-19 vaccines.
 
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].

Resources 

1. 340B Insight Episode 19: 340B Hospitals Are COVID Vaccine Leaders (January 2021)