In discussions about the evolution of the pharmacy sector, the role of specialty pharmacies in patient care is taking center stage. Major areas of focus include patient follow-up, care transitions and engagement. 

After positive results in phase 3 trials, a GSK experimental therapy could be the first ultra-long-acting biologic approved for severe asthma. 

Optum Rx, UnitedHealth Group's pharmacy benefit management company, unveiled a new pricing trend May 20 — following an industrywide trend of increasing transparency on medication costs. 

The FDA granted approval to Biocon Biologics' drug Yesafili and Samsung Bioepis and Biogen's drug Opuviz, the agency announced May 20. The two drugs are biosimilars for Eylea, an injection made by Regeneron that is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration and other optical conditions. 

Within 90 days, Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White will close its pharmacy in Temple, Texas, a spokesperson confirmed with Becker's May 20. 

After hundreds of Kaiser Permanente pharmacy and imaging workers went on strike in late 2023, the health system reached an agreement with UFCW Local 555, a union spokesperson confirmed with Becker's May 20. 

On May 17, about 70 pharmacists and advocates protested outside an Express Scripts headquarters, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report. 

AstraZeneca has been ordered to pay $107.5 million to Pfizer in damages for infringing Pfizer's patents, Reuter's reported May 17.

Across nine states and Washington, D.C., some Ascension pharmacies cannot fill prescriptions as the St. Louis-based health system works to recover from a May 8 cyberattack. 

Amgen's Imdelltra is the first and only T-cell engager therapy approved for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, an aggressive, stubborn cancer that spreads through the body.

Ochsner Baton Rouge (La.) has opened a new outpatient and home infusion pharmacy for chronic, specialty and acute home infusion therapies.

The FDA is warning healthcare professionals about compatibility issues between autoinjectors and glatiramer acetate injections, which are approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. 

The importance of operational fitness, organizing for growth, supporting changing care models, and addressing patient access challenges in the healthcare industry were outlined by Jeff Reichard, PharmD, executive director of pharmacy operations at UNC Health at Becker's 14th  Annual Meeting held in Chicago.

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to Bristol Myers Squibb's Breyanzi, a CAR T-cell therapy indicated for types of lymphoma and leukemia. 

Walgreens will sell a low-cost, over-the-counter version of the opioid overdose antidote naloxone, the company said May 15. 

In early May, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill into law that expands pharmacists' scope of practice. 

Jim and David Mangan are two years apart in age, work about two hours from each other, and lead pharmacy operations at two different health systems in Massachusetts. 

As pharmaceutical research becomes more advanced and drug companies create new, more complex drugs, pharmacies need specialized tools to navigate the demands of high-cost, high-touch medications and manage the treatment journeys of patients.According to the CDC, an estimated 129 million people in the US have at least one major chronic disease and chronic diseases are continuing to increase in prevalence throughout the US.1

On June 4, Kelly McCormick-Sullivan will assume leadership of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists' philanthropic organization. 

As hospitals and health systems increase investments in the specialty pharmacy industry, leaders should be nimble in their payer and drugmaker relationships, according to McKesson.