What Exactly is a Specialty Pharmacy?

With all of the recent changes in health insurance and the healthcare industry in general, it may be difficult to keep track of what’s what. Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish rumor from fact, or to know which changes have lasting power and which ones are passing fads. That’s why it helps to bone up on the things that directly affect you, your family, or your career.

There seems to be a lot of buzz about “specialty drugs” and “specialty pharmacies” these days, and you may be wondering what it’s all about. What exactly do they mean when a pharmacy is considered “specialty?”

What Are Specialty Drugs?

Before we can discuss what a specialty pharmacy is, we must begin by explaining what specialty drugs are. Specialty drugs are often defined as those that are used for complex therapy or complex diseases, and they often come at a higher cost than other prescription medications. Specialty drugs also require proper handling, storing, or shipping. There may even be training or certifications involved with specialty drugs, as required by the Food and Drug Administration.

Because of the complexity of caring for and handling specialty drugs, your local pharmacy may not carry them or may not be properly certified to dispense them. This is where the specialty pharmacy comes in.

Specialty Pharmacies Demystified

Because specialty drugs require an area of expertise regarding the handling and care of the product, specialty pharmacies and pharmacists are emerging on the scene. Specialty pharmacies offer that extra step in the care and maintenance of the specialty drugs, but they also take the time to educate patients on disease management and costs. They seek to offer better patient-clinician interaction, one that assists with both medication related questions and the management of the condition. Some clinicians may help to prevent unnecessary expenditures and direct patients seeking financial assistance to the resources they need.

In short, specialty pharmacies carry complex medications that require special care and often come at a higher cost. The clinicians will take the time to educate the patient on administering and caring for the drugs, but they’ll also assist them with disease management and help them prevent over spending on medications.

The Future of Pharmacies

Our country is making the effort to steer healthcare in the direction of better care at lower costs. This responsibility doesn’t lie solely on the healthcare industry, however. Many patients are taking the initiative to educate themselves on their bodies, their conditions, and all of the possible paths they can take to achieve optimal health. With more control of their own healthcare needs, they can better understand the costs and the cheaper alternatives, such as generic medication or in-network care.

Specialty pharmacies offer that extra level of patient-pharmacist support, and specialty pharmacies are working to make sure their patients understand the care and use of their medications. Instead of just telling them what to take and when to take it, specialty pharmacists are guiding their patients on the path of care and educating them along the way. Don’t be surprised if this isn’t a growing trend in all pharmacies and in the healthcare field in general. Patient-doctor interaction is becoming an important part of the healthcare industry, and it is important for well-being across the board.

Specialty pharmacies are not just a fad. They’re potentially changing the face of patient interaction and education, and this is a service that likely will not be going away soon. With more insured people seeking care in the coming years, specialty drugs are projected to rise in sales. The world of healthcare is evolving and building stronger legs to stand on. It helps to be in the know.