How Health Systems, Industry Partnerships Advance Rare Disease Therapies: David Mitchell, PharmD, MBA

In the second half of this 2-part Q&A, David Mitchell, PharmD, MBA, senior pharmacist manager and assistant clinical professor, UC Davis, discusses how health systems and pharmaceutical manufacturers are working together earlier and more proactively to bring innovative rare disease therapies to patients in an effort to build trust, improve access to medications, and ensure better outcomes for those with rare diseases.

This transcript was lightly edited for clarity.

The American Journal of Managed Care^® (AJMC^®): How has the relationship between industry and health systems changed over time?

Mitchell: The relationship has shifted from being very transactional to becoming a true strategic partnership. I really feel that this partnership has evolved to put the patient at the center, with both of us working together to bring these innovative therapies to market, get them to the right patients, and ensure they are used safely and effectively to achieve the best outcomes. It has definitely become a much more collaborative relationship.

Another thing our program has done is take a more proactive approach. We now start working with manufacturer partners early in the drug development cycle to think through the complexities of bringing these medications to patients and to anticipate the access barriers that may need to be addressed. That way, we can start planning solutions before the medication even comes to market.

In the past, the approach was more reactive. We often wouldn’t know some of the details or complexities of a medication until it launched, and then we had to figure out how to help patients access it afterward. But now, because we’re more collaborative and proactive, we can anticipate and address those challenges ahead of time—before the therapy is on the market.

AJMC: Why is it important to have a trade relationship strategy in a health system?

Mitchell: I think it’s very important to work collaboratively to bring these therapies to the patients in our health systems. One big piece of that is educating manufacturers about the services we provide. We have a lot of very experienced and well-trained personnel in managing and distributing these therapies, so being able to educate manufacturers, build trust, and help them understand our capabilities is really important.

Once that relationship is established, we’re more successful at gaining access to the medications. We believe we deliver a high level of quality service, and when we have access to the medication, we can help ensure that patients receive it safely and achieve the most positive outcomes.

We also value the education we receive from manufacturers, which strengthens the relationship and enhances our understanding of the medications. That education also helps us understand any support services the manufacturer may offer for patients. Being able to work with those programs helps us facilitate those services effectively and provide better care for patients.

AJMC: How has the industry responded to this new type of relationship?

Mitchell: In my opinion, they’ve responded very positively. It actually feels like many of the manufacturers we work with were craving—and ready—for a closer relationship. This relationship is much more proactive and aligned, with a shared focus on putting the patient at the center and working toward a truly positive experience for patients who are prescribed these therapies. They have been ready and willing to embrace this more proactive and collaborative approach.

AJMC: What mutual benefits come from these improved relationships?

Mitchell: I think there’s a lot of trust and understanding that come from these improved relationships. We’ve successfully been able to gain access to more therapies for our patients, allowing them to be dispensed through our pharmacies, which has been a real positive.

We’ve also become more knowledgeable about these therapies, especially earlier in the drug development cycle, so we can better plan to support the therapies and the patients well before the medications are approved. This proactive approach ultimately benefits our patients significantly.