In this episode of Healthcare Matters, join Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc as they dissect the critical role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in the health care system, guided by recent findings from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The episode delves into how PBMs control a significant portion of the U.S. prescription market, discussing the implications of their dominance on drug prices, and the viability of independent pharmacies. Featuring a thorough examination of the FTC's recent report, Dr. Popovian explores the deep-seated issues of market concentration, anti-competitive practices, and the need for substantial regulatory reform.

This episode aims to shed the light on the powerful influence PBMs have over drug access and affordability, proposing pathways for more equitable health care practices.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:45: Dr. Popovian delves into the FTC's report, revealing that three major PBMs control 80% of the retail prescription market in the U.S., highlighting issues of market concentration and limited competition

02:46: The conversation shifts to the impact of PBMs on drug prices and pharmacy operations, focusing on the FTC's concerns over anti-competitive practices

03:14: Dr. Popovian explains the effects of vertical and horizontal integration among PBMs, affecting drug access and pricing

06:35: Our hosts discuss the struggles faced by independent pharmacies due to PBM practices, as revealed in the FTC report

09:59: Dr. Popovian explores how PBMs use formulary design to manipulate which drugs patients can access and at what cost

11:59: Dr. Popovian criticizes the current rebate practices by PBMs, discussing their detrimental effects on the availability of generic and biosimilar drugs

14:25: Dr. Popovian calls for greater transparency and potential regulatory reforms to ensure fair drug pricing and maintain pharmacy viability

16:44: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

To read the full FTC report “Pharmacy Benefit Managers: The Powerful Middlemen Inflating Drug Costs and Squeezing Main Street Pharmacies,” go to: https://www.ftc.gov/reports/pharmacy-benefit-managers-report

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Healthcare Matters, join our hosts as they explore the innovative world of gene therapy with guest Dr. Anne Sydor, Director of Research Development at GHLF. Together, they delve into the complexities of gene therapy treatments, the reasoning behind their high costs, and the challenges posed by current regulatory environments. They also discuss whether there is a need to reevaluate payment models to support the sustainable deployment of these life-altering therapies.

This episode provides a deep dive into the future of gene therapy and the regulatory model for manufacturing processes.

Among the highlights in this episode:

02:34: Dr. Popovian discusses the impressive number of gene therapy trials currently listed in the National Institutes of Health database, indicating significant research activity in this field

03:07: Dr. Popovian explains the impetus behind his collaborative paper on gene therapy value and pricing models, highlighting the need to understand pricing in the context of long-term health outcomes and societal benefits

04:43: Dr. Sydor provides a comprehensive overview of gene therapy, explaining its different types and methodologies, emphasizing their transformative impact on patient care

07:47: Dr. Popovian addresses why gene therapies are notably expensive, focusing on the high costs of research, development, and the significant value they bring to patients and society

09:28: Dr. Sydor highlights the societal and economic benefits of gene therapies, noting their potential to extend lives and improve quality of life for patients with rare diseases

11:15: Dr. Sydor elaborates on regulatory challenges impacting gene therapy accessibility and suggests potential improvements to ease these burdens

16:24: Dr. Popovian questions the adequacy of current payment models for gene therapies in the U.S. and suggests that a reevaluation might be necessary to accommodate the unique costs and benefits of these treatments

20:14: Dr. Sydor and Dr. Popovian discuss the broader implications of gene therapy pricing, emphasizing the need to balance upfront costs against long-term benefits in health care policy discussions

22:53: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Healthcare Matters, Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc bring you essential takeaways from the World Vaccine Congress. Joined by guests Abby Bownas, leader of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) and the American Disease Prevention Coalition (ADPC), and Dr. Thomas Acciani, Director of U.S. Vaccine Policy at GSK, they delve into their significant roles within the vaccine landscape and discuss the overarching importance of the congress. Dr. Popovian highlights the latest advancements in vaccine research conducted by GHLF and their research partner IQVIA Human Data Sciences.

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of vaccine development and deployment. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the field of vaccines.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:20: Dr. Popovian shares his recent participation to the World Vaccine Congress, including his roles as a presenter and panel moderator, offering insights into the significance of the event

02:43: Dr. Popovian and Abby Bownas discuss the importance of increasing adult vaccination rates and the federal and policy opportunities that can help achieve this goal

04:13: Abby explains the role of the American Disease Prevention Coalition (ADPC) in supporting pharmacists as vaccinators across different states, highlighting the variation in vaccination rules and authority levels

05:06: Dr. Popovian and Abby discuss the broad coalition of partners involved in ADPC, including pharmacists, vaccine makers, patient groups, and advocacy organizations. They emphasize the coalition's efforts to harmonize state laws on pharmacist vaccination authority before federal temporary provisions expire

06:53: Abby stresses the collaborative effort required among all providers to improve vaccine access and uptake, making the case for pharmacies and physicians to work together effectively

08:23: Dr. Acciani describes his role at GSK and the importance of addressing policy barriers to enhance patient access to vaccines, stressing the collaboration with public and private sectors to remove these obstacles

09:17: Dr. Popovian and Dr. Acciani discuss the need to eliminate unnecessary policy barriers to improve vaccination accessibility, advocating for a "no wrong door" policy where patients can receive vaccinations immediately upon request

11:20: Dr. Popovian presents findings from a study on Medicaid reimbursement and its correlation with vaccine uptake, emphasizing the impact of economic incentives on vaccination rates

13:50: Dr. Popovian discusses GHLF’s research on immunization access and its correlation with reimbursement strategies, particularly focusing on the disparities in vaccination rates among different socio-economic groups

15: 57: Dr. Popovian discusses the challenges faced by immunocompromised patients in accessing vaccines, discussing the significant barriers that persist despite insurance coverage

17:27: Dr. Popovian shares insights on future research directions for GHLF, including a study on vaccine uptake challenges among immunocompromised patients and the potential policy interventions to reduce barriers to vaccination

20:10: Dr. Popovian reflects on the broader implications of vaccine research beyond infectious diseases, pointing to exciting developments in oncology vaccines and their potential impact on public health

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.