Managing the cost of specialty pharmaceuticals

The cost of specialty pharmaceuticals is a significant driver of increased costs in the delivery of ambulatory care. This expense is expected to increase disproportionately as an increased number of specialty pharmaceuticals available to treat rare, complex, or chronic diseases enter the market. Ambulatory practice managers must plan for these increased expenditures in a fiscally sound manner. The department of medicine at University Hospitals of Cleveland has developed a comprehensive system of checks and balances for managing specialty pharmaceuticals. This system includes working closely with providers and payers, underpinned with sound business planning techniques.