Christine Strahl, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, Discusses Channels and Methods for Specialty Pharmacy Distribution

Christine Strahl, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, specialty pharmacy program manager, HealthPartners, says there are several new distribution channels in specialty pharmacy.

“Many payers are engaging hospital outpatient pharmacies or pharmacies associated with academic institutions to work together to distribute and manage specialty pharmacy therapy because oftentimes, pharmacists in these pharmacies have relationships with the providers and clinicians that are affiliated with the academic institutions,” she says. “Through those relationships we, as payers, really feel that they can help manage our patients, ensure that continuity of care, and help us understand what kind of outcomes we are receiving form the therapies.”

Dr Strahl also discusses the ways in which a variety of pharmacies within a network can distribute specialty pharmacy medications to patients.