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Practice Transformation

Look out, drug chains: Mark Cuban has only just begun
Mark Cuban wants to lower drug prices even further and expand his online pharmacy’s customer base. These plans could pose a major threat to CVS and Walgreens, TheStreet reports. And he’s in it for the long run. “Our goal isn’t to make a lot of money or sell the company,” Cuban tells TheStreet. “Our mission is to be the low-cost provider of every medication we are allowed to sell. That’s not typical. We are a PBC. We aren’t looking for a big exit. We are looking for a big impact.” As a PBC (Pursuit of Corporate Good), Mark Cuban CostPlus Drugs must consider a range of factors, not just stockholder value.(TheStreet)
PGx-enriched CMM: Considerations for employers
CMM, enriched by pharmacogenomics (PGx), has been shown to improve the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical regimens by, among other benefits, improving outcomes, lowering costs and reducing adverse effects from drug therapy. Yet, despite the evidence supporting CMM guided by PGx, implementation in clinical settings remains limited. One solution could be “comprehensive programs that include clinical decision support systems and education through employer-sponsored population health management channels,” according to a paper in Population Health Management that explores the benefits, considerations and barriers of scalable PGx-enriched CMM programs in the context of self-insured employers. (Population Health Management)
New advances in genetically targeted therapies
An emerging class of genetically targeted drugs is inducing remissions in about one-third of patients with advanced leukemia, according to findings from two clinical trials reported at the American Society of Hematology meeting. In related news, the targeted use of a polygenic risk score (PRS) for coronary artery disease (CAD)can help providers decide to initiate statin therapy for primary prevention for CAD. Specifically, PRS helped for people at borderline and intermediate clinical risk who may be candidates for primary prevention statins. (STATJAMA Cardiology)

Evidence & Innovation

At JPM: Cigna all-in for biosimilars
Cigna CEO David Cordani told the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference that biosimilars represent a “tremendous social opportunity to create some more affordability.” Cigna is the parent company of Express Scripts, a PBM. He says the biggest challenge will be supporting patients through the transition and making clear the benefits of switching to a biosimilar. About 7% of specialty drugs currently have a biosimilar product on the market in the US, he said, and that is expected to increase by 3.5 times over the next several years. (Fierce Healthcare)
CVS keeps moving into primary care
CVS Health is exploring a takeover of Chicago-based Oak Street Health, a Medicare-focused operator of a network of value-based primary care centers. This is just the latest chapter in CVS’ attempt to move more directly into health care via acquisitions. Its deal to buy Signify Health should close in Q1or Q2 2023. (Bloomberg)
Policy Solutions
Groundbreaking, but pricey, drugs to hit the market
A group of pricey breakthrough prescription drugs are poised to shake up the market this year. The drugs offer hope to patients with hard-to-treat conditions including Alzheimer’s, sickle cell disease and obesity, but the prices will likely create dilemmas for insurers, governments and patients, Axios reports. In related news, Reuters reports that the median annual price of novel FDA-approved drugs exceeded $200,000 in 2022. (AxiosReuters)

In Case You Missed It!

Learn about the peer-reviewed evidence showcasing the value of CMM, through improvements in access to care, provider work life, outcomes and patient satisfaction as well as a reduction in costs. These findings outline the CMM team-based care process that can be implemented in a variety of health care systems to ensure positive patient outcomes.
Developed by the Evidence-Based Resources Subgroup of the Practice and Care Delivery Transformation Workgroup.

NEW 2022 GTMRx Resource | Comprehensive Medication Management via Telehealth Modality in Team-Based Care:A Review of the Evidence on Quality, Access and Costs, December 2022

Learn about the peer-reviewed evidence showcasing the value of CMM delivered as a service via telehealth and its challenges. Telehealth is a promising modality to improve access to care, facilitate patient monitoring and maintain the needed connection with patients that improves their care and health.
Developed by the Evidence-Based Resources Subgroup of the Practice and Care Delivery Transformation Workgroup.
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Irma, like many others, struggles as a result of our current trial-and-error approach to medication. That is why we advocate for a new, comprehensive approach to medication use and prescribing. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organization, the GTMRx Institute and Foundation relies on funding from our supporting members. We ask that you consider becoming a Supporting Signing Member so we can continue to provide relevant, timely resources to get the medications right!
If you’re interested in supporting the Institute or Foundation at a higher level, please contact us. Your dollars will bring about meaningful change for people like Irma.

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Adding the foundation on AmazonSmile will help us continue to provide no cost educational webinars, issue briefs, weekly news briefs and promote the need for transformation of our current system of medication use through social media campaigns.
The GTMRx Institute is supported by our Founding Funders, Executive Members and Strategic Partners.
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