Reducing Waste in High-Cost Specialty Medications

Using better care coordination to prevent unnecessary dispensing of expensive medications.

The Challenge

Specialty medications may cost thousands of dollars per prescription. In a traditional mail-order system, a medication might be shipped automatically even when:

• A patient recently completed a medical scan.
• The physician is waiting for test results.
• The treatment is no longer working.
• The medication has been discontinued.
• The patient is being switched to another therapy.

Once the medication has been shipped, it may not be returnable or reusable.

The Consulting Approach

The Pharmacists Care Team examined how closer coordination between physicians and pharmacists could reduce avoidable waste.

The recommended model included:

• Checking current treatment status before dispensing.
• Coordinating prescription refills with upcoming scans and appointments.
• Giving pharmacists access to appropriate clinical information.
• Confirming that the therapy remains active.
• Improving communication between the specialty pharmacy and medical team.
• Creating procedures for holding medications when treatment decisions are pending.

The Potential Impact

Improved coordination can help:

• Prevent unnecessary medication shipments.
• Save employers and health plans money.
• Reduce waste involving high-cost therapies.
• Improve treatment accuracy.
• Support faster medication changes.
• Protect patients from receiving outdated treatment.

Services Featured

Medication Management · Cost Reduction · Specialty Pharmacy Operations · Care Coordination