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With pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers launching more high-cost specialty drugs and the insurance industry increasing the use of more restrictive barriers to access, those who need these medicines—the patients themselves—are caught in the middle, not only shouldering the cost of higher…
Casey Cormier, Stratis GroupEmily Gibb, NovartisStratis Group | Nexus HealthNovartisBreaking Down Barriers: An Interview with Peyton HowellAn Interview with Kathryn Carey, President, Optum Rx Pharmacy Benefit ManagerOne Big Beautiful Bill Act: Medicaid Work Requirements340B Drug Pricing ProgramMedicare Drug Price…
In this episode, we sit down with Kathryn Carey, President, Optum Rx Pharmacy Benefit Manager, to discuss one of the most significant shifts underway in the pharmacy benefit management industry. We explore their new transparent, fixed-fee model, what is driving it, and what it actually means for patients, providers…
In this episode, we interview Stephen Ubl, President and CEO of PhRMA, to discuss what is happening across the industry at a time of significant change. We talk about biopharma’s continued commitment to innovation, what member companies are doing to help patients access medicines more directly, and how new tools…
In this episode, we sit down with Alexander Hardy, President and CEO of BioMarin, to talk about his path to leading one of the world's premier rare disease companies. Alexander reflects on his experience across small molecules, biologics, oncology, and rare diseases, and how his work in access and patient services has…
In this episode of Prescription for Better Access, we’re joined by William (Bill) Sarraille, a legal expert on drug access and reimbursement. He discusses two developments shaping the pharmacy benefit landscape: the FTC’s enforcement action involving Express Scripts and PBM reforms in the Consolidated Appropriations…
Employers sit at the center of the U.S. health system as the primary funders of coverage for more than 150 million Americans, yet they struggle with rising costs, fragmented vendors, and uneven outcomes. In this episode, we talk with Dan Mendelson, MPP, CEO of Morgan Health at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Founder and…
The FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program (AAP) aims to bring promising, potentially life-saving medicines to patients sooner by allowing approvals based on surrogate endpoints while requiring timely confirmatory evidence. In this episode, we speak with Bridget Doherty, MPH, MS (Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine)…
In this episode, we talk with Richard Xie, Senior Health Economist at RA Capital, and Gunnar Esiason, Senior Director of Patient Engagement at Raven (RA Capital Ventures), about value frameworks in pharma. We unpack how Generalized Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (GCEA) builds on traditional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis…
In this episode, former CMS official Jon Blum reflects on the evolution and impact of the IRA’s drug provisions—from foundational drivers and political trade-offs to how 2026 Part D redesign and the M3P cost-smoothing program are reshaping access. We explore why M3P adoption remains limited, how CMS is monitoring plan…
At ACCESS US 2025, our live podcast The Future of Access features four experts exploring how to improve drug affordability and access while maintaining innovation. With rising drug costs, we ask: What bold models are emerging? We cover benefit design, PBMs, AI, evolving pharmacy models, and whether markets can act…
Specialty drug benefit design isn't just one decision — it triggers a domino effect impacting employer and health plan costs, patient access, care delivery and patient cost-sharing. In this episode, we unpack PSG’s latest research on how employers and health plans are rethinking specialty strategies amid rising…
In this episode, we interview Brian Reid, the founder of Reid Strategic and the creator and editor of our favorite industry newsletter, the Cost Curve. Brian shares his journey to create the Cost Curve and how he navigates the onslaught of information to identify the most important issues of the day. We also get his…
In this episode, we explore the complex and often debated concept of value in prescription drugs. They discuss how different stakeholders—payers, manufacturers, providers, regulators, and patients—define value, and how methodologies like health technology assessments (HTA) and cost-effectiveness analyses shape drug…
In this episode, we interview Sarah Emond, MPP, President and CEO of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). Sarah joined ICER over 15 years ago as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed to lead the organization following the retirement of Dr. Steven Pearson. Sarah outlines her vision for ICER and…
In this episode, we sit down with Stacie Dusetzina, Ph.D., a leading health economist from Vanderbilt University Medical Center to discuss the critical healthcare and policy trends shaping 2025. From shifts in federal leadership to the evolving impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, our guest provides expert insights…
In our second of three episodes in conjunction with members of ACCESS Forum, we engage with leading experts to uncover the multifaceted challenges of access and affordability in cell and gene therapies. Our conversation investigates how these treatments' innovative yet complex landscape leads to challenging regulatory…
In this episode, we sit down with leading Market Access experts and members of ACCESS Forum to compare and contrast the drug pricing and access systems worldwide and the US. Our discussion delves into the distinct approaches taken by government vs. private markets, examining how regulatory environments, pricing…
In this episode, we explore the evolving role of healthcare and patient advocates and how this profession has become an essential part of the healthcare system. We begin by defining what a healthcare advocate is and tracing the development of the profession over the years. Key milestones are discussed, such as…
In this episode, we explore the evolution and future of the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) industry with insights from two seasoned pharma managed care executives. We discuss the early role of PBMs, their acquisition by pharmaceutical companies, and subsequent industry consolidation. We examine how vertical…
In this episode, we dive into the pharmaceutical industry's research and drug development side and the real threat that today’s access and affordability challenges and policies pose to innovation. While innovation often starts in universities with government support, biotech, and pharma companies take on the…
This is the second of two episodes dedicated to Asembia’s AXS24 Summit, where we were honored to be a media partner. In this episode, we learn from Sarah Butler, Chief Commercial Officer of ADVI Health and Lindsay Greenleaf, JD, MBA, Head of Federal and State Policy for ADVI Health how the 2024 election will…
Asembia’s AXS24 Summit, a pinnacle of specialty drug and healthcare discussions, concluded earlier this month. We are thrilled to share that our podcast was selected as a media partner for this esteemed event. This is the first of two episodes dedicated to AXS24, where Scott and Mark had the opportunity to…
In this episode, we explore the 340B Drug Pricing Program, an essential yet complex component of the American drug supply landscape that aims to enable healthcare entities to offer more affordable medication to underserved populations. We interview Antonio Ciaccia, a drug pricing and 340B expert who provides an…
In this important podcast episode, we interview Victor Bulto, President, US for Novartis, to discuss the company's efforts to develop groundbreaking treatments while ensuring accessibility and affordability for patients. We delve into how the pharmaceutical industry navigates numerous post-FDA approval barriers to…
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