Drug Channels

Informa's Trade and Channel Strategies

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0000

December 8-10, 2026, W Philadelphia
Exclusive Offer—Use promo 26DC10 to save 10%*

NAVIGATE THE CONVERGENCE: PREPARE, DON'T PREDICT

In the next eighteen months, every assumption of pharmaceutical channel strategy breaks all at once. The patent cliff, WAC reductions, loss of exclusivity, medical benefit shifts and cash and self-pay emergence have left trade and channel professionals in need of complete strategy rebuilds.

You need to prepare, not predict and Trade and Channel Strategies is built to deliver just that.

The pharmaceutical channel is being rewritten in real-time. Leaders who attend will gain the insights needed to navigate these changes while competitors are left playing catch-up. In these times, falling behind means losing your competitive edge.

What can you expect?

The event features a stellar lineup of industry leaders, including Bill Roth of IntegriChain, who will deliver the keynote address, The Convergence—When Pharma’s Channel Assumptions All Break at Once. Other notable speakers include:

Rena Goins, Executive Director, Global Trade, Regeneron
Susan Farkas, Executive Director, US Payers & Specialty Pharmacy, AstraZeneca
Mike Petit, Director, U.S. Channel Accounts, Intercept Pharmaceuticals
Martine Avello, Director, Channel and Distribution, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc
Thomas Scalone, Director, Trade Strategy and Operations, Bristol Myers Squibb

Program highlights:

A Look From Wall Street: Dealmaker insights on M&A and vertical integration trends over the next 12–24 months
Trade Partner Insights: Direct feedback from trade partners on supply chain friction and operational challenges impacting the industry
Leveraging Technology: Discover how AI, digital tools and analytics are transforming trade strategies, specifically in pricing optimization, payer engagement and channel management
Tracks, Trainings and More: Focused content on supply chain, pharmacy models and health systems and pharma partnering, as well as a negotiation training and Women in Trade networking session

What attendees are saying:

“Most valuable conference of the year to understand pharmacy and distribution related topics. There is no second.”

“One of the best conferences I have ever attended. The speaker selection and topic covered from a strategic and tactical approach were extremely relevant to our business.”

Exclusive Offer – Download the agenda and register today–Use your exclusive promo 26DC10 to save 10%*

*Cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or applied to existing registration. Other restrictions may apply.

The content of Sponsored Posts does not necessarily reflect the views of HMP Omnimedia, LLC, Drug Channels Institute, its parent company, or any of its employees. To find out how you can publish an event post on Drug Channels, please contact Marie Caldwell (mcaldwell@hmpglobal.com).

10 Crucial Trends Facing U.S. Drug Wholesalers in 2026 and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Drug Channels Institute, an HMP Global company) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0000

By Adam J. Fein, Ph.D.

As regular readers of Drug Channels know, U.S. distribution and dispensing channels for prescription drugs are undergoing significant evolution and consolidation as the changing economics of pharmaceuticals challenge conventional business models.

During this period of volatility, the core business model of the Big Three public pharmaceutical distribution companies—Cardinal Health, Cencora, and McKesson—remains intact. Put simply: Buy low, sell high, collect early, and pay late.

But as I explain below, wholesalers continue to position themselves as essential intermediaries by expanding their role across the drug channel and strengthening their economic fundamentals.

Read on for 10 key pricing, pharmacy, provider, and manufacturer trends that are driving the U.S. drug wholesaling industry.

For even more, check out DCI's new 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors, the seventeenth edition of our deep dive into wholesale distribution channels. Click here to download a free report overview (including key industry trends, the table of contents, and a list of exhibits)
Read more »

NOW AVAILABLE: DCI’s New 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors

noreply@blogger.com (Drug Channels Institute, an HMP Global company) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Drug Channels Institute is pleased to announce the availability of our 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors.

The U.S. prescription drug market continues to expand, even as the foundations of the drug channel are shifting. Legislative intervention, pricing realignment, vertical integration, and alternative payment models are accelerating a transition away from a rebate-driven system built on high list prices and toward a marketplace increasingly shaped by net prices.

DCI’s seventeenth annual report examines what these changes mean for the pharmaceutical wholesalers and specialty distributors at the center of the U.S. drug channel. With nine chapters, more than 430 pages, 193 exhibits, and more than 940 endnotes, this report is unmatched in scope and depth.

Order today to download the fully updated, revised, and expanded 2026-27 edition at special launch prices. Special launch prices will be available through October 26, 2026. Act now to maximize your savings.

Download a free report overview
(Industry Trends, What's New, Table of Contents, List of Exhibits)

Review pricing and license options and download now

You can pay online with all major credit cards. Contact us if you prefer to pay by corporate check or ACH.

The chart below highlights the vertical alignment and diverse roles of Cencora, Cardinal Health, and McKesson within the U.S. healthcare system. The circled numbers identify the report chapters that explain and analyze each business.

[Click to enlarge]

The new edition provides the most current financial and industry data about pharmaceutical distribution. Among the major findings and expanded areas of coverage:

Drug distribution revenues for the Big Three public wholesalers are projected to reach $933 billion in 2026, although revenue growth has slowed from double-digit to mid-single-digit rates.

The largest wholesalers have invested more than $20 billion in physician management services organizations, transforming their roles in buy-and-bill markets.

Changes in drug pricing, direct-to-patient models, and other emerging channels are accelerating the industry’s transition toward a Net Pricing Drug Channel.

The report examines the evolving economics of biosimilars, cell and gene therapies, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.

DCI’s proprietary economic models reveal differences in the business strategies, market positions, financial performance, and underlying profitability of Cencora, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.

There are 193 exhibits in the 2026-27 edition, compared with 187 in last year’s report. Most are new or fully updated.

See pages 9 and 10 of the free report overview for full details about the notable new material in the 2026-27 edition.

Thank you for your continued interest in our research. Please email us (dcisupport@hmpglobal.com) with any questions before purchasing. We look forward to helping you succeed in the evolving U.S. drug channel.

Transparency is No Longer a Compliance Issue

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Meghal Patel, Chief Product Officer for Truzo at Model N.

Meghal examines why claims-level transparency has become increasingly important as manufacturers navigate the growing complexity of 340B and other drug pricing programs. He argues that greater visibility into pricing, discounts, and utilization can help manufacturers move beyond compliance to improve gross-to-net (GTN) management, revenue forecasting, and strategic decision-making.

To learn more, watch the webinar: From Program Silos to GTN Transparency: A Unified View with Model N + Truzo.

Read on for Meghal's insights.
Read more »

The IRA Fixed One Medicare Part D Distortion—But Patients Now Face New Tradeoffs (rerun)

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:30:00 +0000

This week, we're rerunning some popular posts while we put the finishing touches on DCI’s 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors.

Click here to see the original post from June 2026.

By Bryce Platt, PharmD

For years, Medicare Part D plans often preferred high-list/high-rebate branded multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs over lower-cost generics. That was rational behavior inside an irrational system.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers one example of how incentives can change behavior in the system. New research in JAMA Health Forum reveals a significant reversal in Medicare Part D formulary coverage for MS drugs. After years of plans favoring brand-name drugs over generics, 2025 formularies shifted to near-universal generic coverage.

However, in return patients got narrower formularies, higher upfront costs, and way more taxpayer dollars spent than expected.

While this wasn’t the case for all drug classes, in MS, the IRA Part D redesign has forced plans to care more about net drug spending. Below, we analyze the formulary data and explain why the coverage patterns changed so abruptly—and what new tradeoffs have emerged.
Read more »

2025 Gross-to-Net Realities at Eight Top Drugmakers: The Net Pricing Drug Channel Emerges (rerun)

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:30:00 +0000

By Adam J. Fein, Ph.D.

Every year, Drug Channels reviews drug pricing trends at the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers. This year's disclosures provide early evidence that the economics of the U.S. drug channel—and the strategies manufacturers use to secure market access—are beginning to change.

We review the following eight companies: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Takeda, Teva, and UCB. You can find links to each company’s data in the appendix.

Our review found:

Brand-name drug list prices continued to rise modestly, while mandatory and voluntary rebates, discounts, and fees reduced net prices at seven of the eight manufacturers.

The average gross-to-net price difference was –5.5%, reflecting an average list price increase of 3.7% and an average net price decline of 1.8%.

For the three manufacturers that disclosed these data, rebates, discounts, and other fees reduced the selling prices of brand-name drugs to less than half of their list prices.

Sanofi's latest and historical disclosures provide one of the clearest illustrations yet of the drug channel's changing economics. Since 2020, the company's estimated U.S. biopharmaceutical sales have grown far faster than rebate payments. As a result, the share of its gross sales returned to payers as rebates declined from 51% to 39%.

Taken together, this year's manufacturer disclosures suggest that the gross-to-net bubble is growing more slowly—and even deflating in parts of the market. Meanwhile, the Net Pricing Drug Channel (NPDC) is becoming visible in manufacturers’ pricing disclosures and financial statements.
Read more »

Pharmacist Salaries and Employment in 2025: Retail Declines, Hospital Gains (rerun)

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:30:00 +0000

By Adam J. Fein, Ph.D. and Greis Kapexhiu

It’s time for Drug Channels’ annual look at pharmacist salaries and employment. The latest data might be a tough pill to swallow.

As we predicted, the situation was grim for retail pharmacists. Employment in retail outpatient pharmacies fell by 8,200 positions in 2025, following a drop of 11,700 positions over 2023 and 2024 combined.

Meanwhile, pharmacist employment at hospitals grew by 3,000 positions, after hospitals added more than 11,000 pharmacist jobs in 2023 and 2024. Nearly half of all pharmacists now work outside a traditional retail setting.

Overall pharmacist salaries averaged $140,920, but varied widely across practice settings. Salary growth in many settings, however, did not keep pace with overall inflation.

Our 2026 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers documents how and why retail pharmacy economics are under sustained pressure. Since 2018, the two remaining national drugstore chains have collectively closed nearly 3,000 locations, reflecting margin compression and weaker front-end economics.

As always, full salary and employment data appear below for your enjoyment or sorrow. Click here to share your thoughts on the pharmacist job market with the Drug Channels LinkedIn community.

Jump to:

Pharmacist Employment Trends

Pharmacist Salary Trends

Methodology

Informa’s PBM Contracting Summit

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Informa’s PBM Contracting Summit
December 8-9, 2026 | Chicago, IL
Drug Channels readers save 10% with code 26DRCH10*

The PBM Contracting Summit returns to Chicago this December! Join the industry as expert speakers navigate the complex PBM landscape, gaining unparalleled strategies to enhance patient care and effectively manage costs.

Key topics covered:

Employer and Broker Priorities: Understand what drives PBM selection, where traditional models fall short, and how to demonstrate measurable value.
Federal Regulatory Reform: Explore how evolving policy and enforcement affect your contracts through interactive roundtables.
GLP-1 Cost Management: Balance growing demand with access, affordability, and long-term sustainability.
Alternative PBM Models: Examine how emerging models address employer demands for transparency and control.
Manufacturer Direct-to-Consumer Strategies: Assess how direct channels and patient support programs are reshaping the PBM’s role.

And more!

The PBM Contracting Summit remains essential to tackle rising drug costs head-on, spotlighting bold innovations in contracting, GLP-1 strategy, AI-powered solutions, and federal and state-driven regulatory change.

View the agenda for PBM Contracting 2026 to see the complete picture—the program, speakers, and more. Visit www.informaconnect.com/pbm-contracting for further details and to register.

Drug Channels readers will save 10% off when they use code 26DRCH10 and register prior to November 6, 2026.*

*Cannot be combined with other offers or used towards a current registration. Cannot be combined with special category rates or other offers. Other restrictions may apply.

Patient Support Strategy by Lifecycle Stage: Launch, Growth, Maturity, and Loss of Exclusivity

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Kristen Magee, Vice President of Methodology & Enablement at AssistRx.

Kristen explains why patient support programs (PSPs) need to evolve as products move from launch through growth, maturity, and loss of exclusivity. She outlines how manufacturers can recalibrate the balance of technology, automation, and human support at each stage to improve efficiency while maintaining strong patient and healthcare provider experiences.

To learn more about AssistRx's approach to patient support across the product lifecycle, download the AssistRx lifecycle playbook suite.

Read on for Kristen's insights.
Read more »

Drug Channels News Roundup, September 2026: The 340B Margin Squeeze, Economics of Cutting List Price, Patient Adherence from Copay Cards, Negative Part D Premiums, and Drug Channel Dating Profiles

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

By Bryce Platt, PharmD

Football season is officially back. Personally, my signal is hearing my uncle curse about bad calls from 1,000 miles away, but you may have already seen a game.

This news roundup is short enough to fit into an ad break or two. *Caveat: may lead to rabbit holes that take much longer than an ad break.

In this issue:

The 340B squeeze from falling list prices

Cutting list price to make more money

Copay cards nearly double time on therapy

Part D's negative premium problem

Extra: A drug channel dating mismatch

P.S. Join my more than 44,000 LinkedIn followers for valuable daily posts at 9 a.m. ET.

Drug Channels Leadership Forum 2027

Drug Channels Institute is proud to host the 2027 Drug Channels Leadership Forum, which will take place from March 15–17, 2027, in Miami. Request your invitation to this invite-only gathering of senior leaders from across the drug channel ecosystem. You must request an invitation to be considered for attendance. We will begin sending invitations in mid-October.

Why GoodRx Is Built for the AI-Driven Patient Journey

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Divya Iyer, SVP, Head of Revenue, Pharma Direct at GoodRx.

Divya examines how AI-powered search and conversational tools are reshaping the way patients research treatments and prescription costs before ever reaching a brand's website. She argues that pharmaceutical manufacturers must rethink their direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies to ensure treatment information is discoverable, trusted, and connected to actionable next steps.

Learn more about GoodRx's approach to AI discoverability.

Read on for Divya's insights.
Read more »

The Spinoff: How Biosimilars Are Becoming Wholesalers' Next Hit Show

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

By Bryce Platt, PharmD

For more than a decade, the answer to “Where do drug wholesalers make their money?” has been generic drugs.

Although wholesaler revenues are linked most closely to sales of brand-name drugs, the majority of wholesalers’ gross profits comes from generic drugs. We estimate that in calendar year 2026, generic drugs will contribute 52% of total drug distribution gross profits of the Big Three wholesalers, but only 9% of drug distribution revenues.

Generic drugs are the long-running hit show that has carried wholesalers' profits for 15+ seasons. The show is still on the air, but a supporting character is starting a spinoff.

Generic drugs’ share of distribution gross profits has declined, from 68% in 2022 to 52% in 2026. This partially reflects the growth in profits from provider-administered biosimilars. Biosimilars now account for 6% of wholesalers’ drug distribution revenues, but 23% of total gross profits.

Below, we preview data from our forthcoming 2026–27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors to trace how the biosimilar category is standing out as wholesalers’ second profit engine.
Read more »

Keep Your Patient Program at the Forefront of Innovation at Patient Pathways: The Copay and Patient Services Congress

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Keep Your Patient Program at the Forefront of Innovation at Patient Pathways: The Copay and Patient Services Congress

November 17-20, 2026 | Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia
Exclusive Offer – Use promo code 26DC10 to save 10% on your registration*

Patient need is at an all-time high and the healthcare ecosystem is more complex than ever. With insurance changes, policy volatility, AI disruption and economic pressures reshaping patient programs, staying ahead is critical.

Join industry leaders at Patient Pathways 2026, where experts in copay, reimbursement and patient services will share actionable insights, innovative solutions and best practices. Unlock cutting-edge copay and reimbursement strategies, innovative patient solutions and robust compliance frameworks to elevate program performance, remove barriers and maximize affordability impact.

Can’t-Miss Highlights:

27+ hours of cutting-edge content featuring 6+ sessions on AI integration and automation, 10+ sessions on navigating regulatory changes and compliance frameworks, 20+ sessions on operational challenges and more.
Expert speakers from leading organizations such as Pfizer, BMS, Sanofi, Vertex, Boehringer Ingelheim, Teva, Novo Nordisk and more.
In-depth case studies on topics including patient cost-sharing burdens, balancing affordability with care and market saturation impacts.
Regulatory and policy updates to stay compliant and proactive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
15+ hours of networking opportunities to connect with industry leaders, build strategic partnerships and expand your professional network.

Why Attend?

Balancing patient services with business objectives is a delicate task. The Congress will address critical questions that access professionals face:

How can programs remain sustainable, innovative and profitable while supporting patients?
How will upcoming health policy changes impact affordability, commercialization and program strategies?
Is your program equipped to deploy AI strategically?

Join industry leaders, peers and solution providers for answers to these questions and more – Benchmark best practices, gain actionable insights, connect with industry trailblazers and drive patient support and affordability forward at Patient Pathways 2026.

Exclusive Offer – Download the agenda and register today! Use promo code 26DC10 to save 10% on your registration.

“The event was exceptionally well-organized, the atmosphere was welcoming, and I left feeling more informed, empowered and excited to bring what I learned back to my team.”

*Cannot be combined with other offers, promotions, or applied to an existing registration. Other restrictions may apply.

Fixing the Front Door Isn’t the Same as Fixing Time to Therapy

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Tom Traylor, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at CareMetx.

Tom examines how intake speed and time to therapy relate to each other in specialty pharmacy programs. He describes how bringing pharmacy connectivity to the front of the patient journey can support faster benefit verification, clearer affordability answers, and shorter time to therapy.

To learn more about CareMetx's pharmacy model, download their guide, The Hidden Cost of the Hub-to-Pharmacy Handoff (and How to Close the Gap).

Read on for Tom's insights.
Read more »

Preorder DCI’s New 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors

noreply@blogger.com (Drug Channels Institute, an HMP Global company) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

On October 12, 2026, Drug Channels Institute will release our 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors.

The U.S. prescription drug market continues to expand, but the foundations of the drug channel are shifting. Legislative intervention, pricing realignment, vertical integration, and alternative payment models are accelerating a transition away from a rebate-driven system built on high list prices and toward a marketplace increasingly shaped by net prices.

DCI’s seventeenth annual report examines what these changes mean for the pharmaceutical wholesalers and specialty distributors at the center of the U.S. drug channel. With nine chapters, more than 400 pages, 193 exhibits, and more than 930 endnotes, this report is unmatched in scope and depth.

Preorder today to secure the fully updated, revised, and expanded 2026-27 edition at special discounted prices. Preorders also ensure early access. You will receive the report before its October 12 release date.

Download a free pre-publication report overview
(Industry trends, What's New, Table of Contents, List of Exhibits)

Review pricing and license options–and preorder now

You can pay online with all major credit cards. Contact us if you prefer to pay by corporate check or ACH.

Special preorder and launch pricing discounts will be available through October 26, 2026. Act now to maximize your savings.

The chart below highlights the vertical alignment and diverse roles of Cencora, Cardinal Health, and McKesson within the U.S. healthcare system. The circled numbers identify the report chapters that explain and analyze each business.

[Click to enlarge]

The new edition provides the most current financial and industry data about pharmaceutical distribution. Among the major findings and expanded areas of coverage:

Drug distribution revenues for the Big Three public wholesalers are projected to reach $933 billion in 2026, although growth has slowed from double-digit to mid-single-digit rates.

The largest wholesalers have invested more than $20 billion in physician management services organizations, transforming their roles in buy-and-bill markets.

Changes in drug pricing, direct-to-patient models, and other emerging channels are accelerating the industry’s transition toward a Net Pricing Drug Channel.

The report examines the evolving economics of biosimilars, cell and gene therapies, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.

DCI’s proprietary economic models reveal differences in the business strategies, market positions, financial performance, and underlying profitability of Cencora, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.

There are 193 exhibits in the 2026-27 edition, compared with 187 in last year’s report. Most are new or fully updated.

See pages 9 and 10 of the free report overview for full details about the notable new material in the 2026-27 edition.

Thank you for your continued interest in our research. Please email us (dcisupport@hmpglobal.com) with any questions before purchasing. We look forward to sharing this year’s insights with you.

Informa Connect’s Pharma/Biotech GTN Summit

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Informa Connect’s Pharma/Biotech GTN Summit
November 16-18, 2026 | Hilton at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Exclusive Discount For Readers:
Use promo code 26DCH15 for 15% off* your registration.

Download the agenda here
Reserve your spot here

Informa’s Pharma/Biotech GTN Summit returns on November 16-18, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA, bringing together hundreds of senior finance, gross-to-net and accounting professionals from across the life sciences industry to navigate the evolving complexities of gross-to-net management in an era of unprecedented regulatory change.

This year’s CPE-accredited event (offering up to 16.0 CPE credits, plus 2.0 additional credits with the optional add-on, pre-conference training course) will deliver cutting-edge insights on AI integration, IRA implementation strategies, and advanced forecasting methodologies. With an intensive focus on regulatory adaptation, technology transformation, and cross-functional excellence, the agenda addresses the most pressing challenges facing GTN professionals today – from Maximum Fair Price (MFP) operationalization to AI-powered analytics and strategic organizational design.

Featured Thought Leaders Include:

Brett Nussbaum, Head of Gross to Net Accounting, Novartis

Matt Pellegrini, Senior Director Business Finance, NA, Teva Pharmaceuticals

Prakash Chainani, Senior Vice President – Finance, HR & IT, Lifestar Pharma

Kinneret Klein, Executive Director, Commercial Financial Planning & Analysis, BioCryst

Ivorita Foster, Director, Gross to Net – Finance, Sandoz

Bal Ram Chopra, Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations, Tethra Biosciences

James Engel, Controller, Finance, Collegium Pharmaceuticals

Darpan Jhaveri, Senior Director – US Revenue and Inventory Accounting, Insmed Incorporated

Robert Lucchesi, Director, GTN Forecasting, Novo Nordisk

Ranish Singhvi, Vice President, Finance, Accord Healthcare

Elizabeth Rodriguez, Director, Revenue, Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.

Neel Shah, Life Sciences Advisory Director, RSM US LLP

Walt Worsham, Managing Director, IntegriChain

Jennifer Sharpe, Vice President, Gross-to-Net Consulting, IntegriChain

See why the GTN Summit remains the top choice for your peers navigating the intersection of GTN complexity and clarity.

PLUS! Save 15%* when you reserve your place today using the VIP code 26DCH15.

*Offer exclusively for life sciences manufacturers only. Offer applies to the current rate and maybe not be applied to existing registrations; additional terms may apply, see website for full details.

Drug Channels Leadership Forum 2027: Antonio Ciaccia to Serve as Moderator

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

By Tyler Novotny

We’re excited to announce the return of the Drug Channels Leadership Forum (DCLF), taking place March 15–17, 2027, at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Miami. Drug Channels Institute (DCI) will once again host this invitation-only gathering of senior leaders and decision-makers from across the drug channel.

DCLF returns for its third year with the same focus that has defined the event from the start: candid, consequential conversations about the forces reshaping the U.S. pharmaceutical ecosystem.

Request Your Invitation Today!

BlinkRx Insights: Beyond the Hub - Rethinking the Prescription Journey

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Geoffrey Chaiken and Matthew Chaiken, Co-founders of BlinkRx.

Geoffrey and Matthew examine how efforts to improve patient access have contributed to an increasingly fragmented prescription journey. They suggest that a more integrated approach can reduce complexity, improve visibility and control for manufacturers, and create a simpler path to therapy for patients.

To learn more about the BlinkRx Prescription Journey Management Platform, visit BlinkRx.

Read on for Geoffrey and Matthew's insights.
Read more »

The Private Label Biosimilar Paradox in Medicare Part D

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

By Tyler Novotny and Bryce Platt

PBM-affiliated private label biosimilars would seem to have a built-in formulary advantage. But for ustekinumab, that advantage has not carried over to Medicare Part D.

A recent JAMA Network Open study identified 12 ustekinumab products available for formulary coverage in early 2026. Yet the average Part D plan covered only 2.3 biosimilars. Even more surprising, PBM affiliated private label products were largely missing from formularies connected to their corporate siblings.

CVS Health’s Cordavis labeled Pyzchiva received no Part D coverage. Optum Rx’s Nuvaila labeled Wezlana appeared in just 0.4% of UnitedHealth plans.

The results run against the conventional logic of vertical integration. If a PBM can influence formulary placement, why not direct volume toward its own product like in commercial formularies? The answer lies in the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Part D redesign, which made the economics of an affiliated private label biosimilar potentially less attractive in Medicare than in the commercial market.

Below, we follow the incentives that help explain why PBM-affiliated biosimilars remain largely absent from Medicare Part D formularies.
Read more »

Medicare, Medicaid, and Reverification: What Patient Support Programs Need to Know Before January 2027

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Bryce Aronson, Director of Business Development at AssistRx.

Bryce covers three considerations taking effect in January 2027—the end of Medicare Part D premium support, a faster Medicaid redetermination timeline, and the shift away from once-a-year reverification—and what they mean for patient support programs. He explores how affordability solutions can help reduce coverage disruptions, minimize unnecessary PAP utilization, and maintain continuity of therapy throughout the transition.

To learn more about AssistRx's affordability solutions, access their webinar, State of Patient Support 2026: Turning Regulatory Policy, AI and Direct-to-Patient Pressure into Program Strategy.

Read on for Bryce's insights.
Read more »

Drug Channels News Roundup, August 2026: 340B Rebate Model v2, Patients Feeling Drug Costs, Specialty Drug Spending Drivers, Impact on Coverage from the IRA, and a Drug Price Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

By Bryce Platt, PharmD

Kids are heading back to school, but the drug channel never stops handing out homework. Fortunately, we did some of the research prep for you.

In this issue:

HRSA's Revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot

Households Feel the Cost of Prescription Drugs More

The Drivers of Specialty Drug Spending

Lost Brand Coverage in Medicare Part D Plans After the IRA

Extra: Let’s Go on an Adventure to Find Out What Your Prescription Actually Costs You!

P.S. Join my nearly 42,000 LinkedIn followers for valuable daily posts at 9 a.m. ET. Read more »

Invisible Work of Rare Pharmacy Delivers Highly Visible Patient Outcomes

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Jay Weaver, VP, Payer Solutions at PANTHERx^® Rare.

Jay describes the clinical and operational work that often happens behind the scenes at a Rare Pharmacy. He explains how these capabilities—including greater personalization, real-world evidence, and specialized clinical expertise—can support therapeutic success and help payers assess the value of Rare Pharmacy.

To learn more about the PANTHERx approach to Rare Pharmacy, download their guide, Five Criteria for Payers to Evaluate a Rare-Focused Specialty Pharmacy.

Read on for Jay's insights.
Read more »

REMS Removed: Why CAR-T’s Expansion into Community Oncology Could Benefit the Big Three Wholesalers

noreply@blogger.com (Drug Channels Institute, an HMP Global company) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

By Greis Kapexhiu and Adam J. Fein, Ph.D.

In June 2025, the FDA announced that CAR-T therapies would no longer be subject to a REMS program.

The FDA’s removal of CAR-T REMS requirements eliminates one obstacle to expanding treatment beyond traditional academic medical centers. That change could disproportionately benefit the Big Three wholesalers, which have spent billions building positions in community oncology while simultaneously investing in cell-and-gene-therapy distribution and support infrastructure.

Read on for our review of this dynamic sector and ponder how wholesalers’ community oncology roll-up activities could interact with their cell and gene therapy (CGT) investments. Will wholesalers capture a growing share of CAR-T’s economics, or will hospitals continue to hold the upper hand?
Read more »

Hub Transitions Need Proven Plans, Smart Scale-Up

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Josh Marsh, Vice President and General Manager at Cardinal Health Sonexus™ Access and Patient Support.

Josh examines the risks manufacturers take when transitioning a patient services hub from one vendor to another. He argues that scaling with a proven, flexible blueprint can help hubs with speed, patient continuity, and confident decision-making.

To learn more, download Cardinal Health Sonexus™ Access and Patient Support's framework: 5 Questions Every Manufacturer Should Ask Before a Hub Transition.

Read on for Josh's insights.
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The K-Shaped Pharmacy Shakeout: Consolidation in Cities, Lost Access in Rural America

noreply@blogger.com (BTP) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

By Bryce Platt, PharmD

The United States has almost 8,000 fewer retail pharmacies than it did in 2018, and more than 2,000 closed in 2025 alone. Rite Aid has liquidated. Walgreens is working through a multi-year plan to shutter hundreds of stores. CVS has trimmed hundreds more.

Yet total U.S. prescription dispensing revenues for all dispensing formats reached a record $751 billion in 2025, up 10% from 2024.

Record closures and record revenue in the same year may seem contradictory, but national totals obscure very different effects on the community. The impact of the retail pharmacy shakeout on patient access has become geographically K-shaped: dense markets can absorb pharmacy closures with little loss of patient access, while rural communities can lose their only nearby pharmacy.

The economic pressures on pharmacies are similar across the country. The access consequences of a closure are not. Below, we examine what is driving the shakeout and why geography determines which communities can absorb them.
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