Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health has launched a specialty pharmacy, the health system said May 10.
Specialty drugs are often expensive, hard to manage and have significant side effects, and as a result, patients struggle to adhere to them, Catholic Health said. The system's specialty pharmacy initiative will consist of pharmacists with advanced clinical training to help patients manage their specialty medications.
The health system will also provide pharmacy liaisons to help patients navigate the complex process of obtaining and complying with specialty medications and managing their costs. The liaisons will manage financial assistance applications, insurance authorizations and medication refills, Catholic Health said.
"We know many patients struggle to afford and manage these complex therapies, often jeopardizing their chance to improve their health and enjoy their highest quality of life. We believe our specialty pharmacy services will give our patients the vital support they need to adhere to these critical regimens and achieve better health outcomes," Joyce Markiewicz, the health system's executive vice president and chief business development officer, said in a news release.
The system developed its specialty pharmacy program with CPS, a specialty pharmacy services provider. It plans to offer specialty pharmacy services for cancer and diabetes patients initially, and to expand services to patients with other serious and chronic conditions throughout 2021.
Read the full news release here.