The Patient, Provider Challenges Associated With Managing GLP-1 Prescriptions

With the increasingly notable indications glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs have garnered in recent history, patients and providers are flocking to either use or prescribe these drugs for a variety of patient populations. However, with its rising popularity, the GLP-1 class has shown significant access, cost, and administrative burdens that have become a prominent issue in the pharmacy benefits space.

“I don't know the last time that we've seen a drug in market that provides this level of clinical value, where there's not just one drug in market, there's a few drugs in market, there's more drugs that are coming,” Rae McMahan, senior vice president of payor solutions at Prescryptive Health, told Drug Topics. “The dynamic of what you have to pay is drastically different across different plans. It is very complex, and I feel like this sheds light on the challenges that we have within the pharmacy ecosystem.”

To help us get a deeper understanding of GLP-1s and their novelty within the prescription drug market, McMahan joined Drug Topics to discuss the cost, access, clinical value, and so much more in regard to this booming drug class. In a deeper conversation with McMahan on the greater drug market issues that GLP-1s present, she provided expert insights into how unprecedented events surrounding these drugs can inform patients, payers, providers, and more.

“This is a perfect storm for us to utilize the technology that we have to help that member, that pharmacist, that physician, that employer, ensure that they are truly providing benefits to their pharmacy coverage,” she continued.

Stay tuned for weekly podcast episodes of Over the Counter powered by Drug Topics every Thursday afternoon. Check out our most recent bonus episode with Pooja Babbrah, executive vice president of strategy and industry alignment at the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs. She discussed the power of pharmacy standards and what her organization is doing to strengthen the drug supply chain.

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