November 2011

Specialty pharmaceuticals, and the supporting patient and physician ancillary services, have emerged as a focal point for the majority of manufacturers. The increasing number of specialty drugs available in the United States, coupled with the heightened research and development focus of major pharmaceutical manufacturers on biotech therapies, has resulted in an unprecedented shift in dynamics across the prescription drug industry.

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to Seattle Genetics, Inc's Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin). Adcetris is indicated for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after failure of at least 2 prior multiagent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not candidates for ASCT.

The velocity of growth in the specialty pharmacy field presents challenges to both academia and industry leaders as we examine our readiness.

CVS Caremark is expanding into the realm of specialty oncology management for drugs covered under the medical benefit and traditionally administered in physician offices or clinics