January/February 2015

The number of drugs approved for orphan conditions has increased in recent years, and specialty pharmacies play an important role in the management of therapies for patients with rare diseases.

Viekira Pak is an all-oral regimen that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Patients with hepatitis C benefit from a collaborative approach that involves specialty pharmacists and other care providers working with patients to promote patient engagement, adherence to therapy, and management of comorbidities.

In 2014, the FDA approved notable new therapies for the treatment of cancer, bleeding disorders, inflammatory conditions, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, HIV, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, angioedema, and other conditions.

Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc, serves patients in all 50 states with a focus on medication management programs tailored to the treatment of complex chronic disease states.

The Office of Inspector General has called upon of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to make the reduction of improper payments for prescription drugs a priority in 2015.

A recent congressional spending bill prohibits federal agents from raiding retail medical cannabis operations in states that allow medical marijuana.

As costly new specialty medications come to market, the role of the payer in controlling formularies is becoming increasingly apparent.