Interviews

Steve Pickette, PharmD, BCPS, explains that artificial intelligence (AI)–driven formulary analysis can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of drug selection processes by rapidly compiling and analyzing evidence.

JT Lew, PharmD, MBA, highlights that the primary challenges for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in accessing prescribed medications include dealing with the shock of the diagnosis, navigating complex health plan benefits and out-of-pocket costs, and experiencing delays due to insurance barriers.

Despite lacking some data, there is some information on which patients with cancer shouldn’t be recommended cannabis or certain cannabis products, said Marie Parish, PharmD, BCOP, a gastrointestinal oncology pharmacist with Mayo Clinic.

Jason Romancik, MD, a board-certified hematologist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, discusses the current treatment landscape in aggressive lymphoma and drivers of high care costs.

While it can seem overwhelming or difficult to decide where to start addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health care, the key is to focus on a manageable area that can be built upon.

Patients with cancer will never completely replace existing pain regimens, but cannabis could be used in conjunction, explained Marie Parish, PharmD, BCOP, a gastrointestinal oncology pharmacist with Mayo Clinic.

Demetria Smith-Graziani, MD, MPH, Emory University School of Medicine, explained biological and structural obstacles to equitable breast cancer outcomes and care across racial and ethnic groups.

Maria Amaya, MD, PhD, University of Colorado School of Medicine, explores discrepancies between real-world data and clinical trial outcomes, as well as her experience ensuring the reliability of real-world analysis.

Andrew Hantel, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses factors contributing to disparities in oncology clinical trial enrollment.

Matthew Callister, MD, Banner Health, discusses the advantage of value-based oncology care as a platform for collaboration.

The University Hospitals CINEMA program aims to address issues and narrow gaps in obesity management, with a focus on meeting patients where they are and providing them tools for success, says Ian Neeland, MD.

Robert Lustig, MD, MSL, explains how the US health care industry needs to shift from measuring body mass index and obesity to measuring cardiometabolic health, which affects 93% of Americans, including children.

Jeff Levin-Scherz, MD, MBA, population health leader at WTW, explains that obesity care in the US is inconsistent and costly, with significant gaps across Medicare, Medicaid, and employer-based insurance.

Yael Mauer, MD, MPH, discusses the patient population who benefits most from interventions with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies and explores the underlying mechanisms at work.

Stacey Ehrenberg, MD, discusses the lacking data and potential implications of using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists during pregnancy for patients with diabetes and/or obesity.

In addition to sharing research related to disparities and inequities in the cardiometabolic space, Rashon Lane, PhD, MA, Sutter Health, discussed “how we might need to think differently about how we are intervening on disparities.”

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, chair of a recent Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event hosted in conjunction with Cleveland Clinic, details the up-and-coming therapies impacting the scope of treatment in diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic health, as well as their associated challenges.

Diabetes treatment goals vary based on age and diabetes type, with more focus on managing insulin levels for children and adolescents while addressing comorbid conditions like obesity and hypertension for adults, said Beau Raymond, MD, MMM, FACP, of Ochsner Health Network.

With the high burden of metabolic disease increasing in the US, Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, Sutter Health, explains how this impacts health equity.

Robert Zimmerman, MD, discussed the adverse side effects associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and multi-agonist therapies, as well as explored the challenges in developing these interventions.

In an interview during The American Journal of Managed Care®'s Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event, held with Sutter Health, Ryan Stice, PharmD, BCPS, explains the impact virtual population health teams can have on improving access to care for patients with cardiometabolic conditions.

In this interview, Ronesh Sinha, MD, explains how he's addressing the burden of cardiometabolic disease with the initiation of his continuous glucose monitor program at Sutter Health.

Beau Raymond, MD, MMM, FACP, chief medical officer of Ochsner Health Network, explains the importance of diabetes and hypertension control to prevent downstream events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Experts explain how new diabetes technologies like continuous glucose monitors are transforming care beyond intensive insulin therapy, offering personalized insights and improving outcomes for patients of all treatment levels.

Kevin Malloy, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM, CDCES, Cleveland Clinic, discusses how GLP-1 receptor agonists have evolved in the treatment landscape of diabetes and obesity at an Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event hosted in conjunction with Cleveland Clinic.

After moderating the panel discussion at The American Journal of Managed Care®’s Institute for Value-Based Medicine® (IVBM) event held in partnership with Banner|Aetna, Sandra Stein, MD, chief medical officer of Banner Health Plans, shared her key takeaway.

"If someone is food insecure for a long period of time, then they may be consuming foods that aren't as nutritious and support their health and growth as they should," Denise Holston, PhD, explains in an interview.

It is possible, if you lay the groundwork, to provide patients with acute leukemias with aggressive and effective therapies, while still allowing them to maintain quality of life, explained Jennifer Vaughn, MD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital.