Business and Finance

Regional pharmacy benefit manager is on a growth curve

CLM Matrix system exploits Microsoft SharePoint platform

Generics claim 78% of US market; prescriptions dispensed were up slightly, but doctor visits declined in 2010

Cost dominates the payer and physician perspective, manufacturers look to outcomes, while patients see little value in outcomes

The recent acquisition of US Oncology by McKesson highlights the rising importance of the distributor-led networks

Overestimating product reserves as loss of exclusivity (LoE) approaches can be a $75-million mistake

Once reserved for uninsured, many patient-assistance programs have evolved to meet the needs of the under-insured. On the horizon: the potential effects of healthcare reform law

US growth remains off the global pace, market will expand by 3-5%, to $320-330 billion

Annual polling and analysis for the Dow Jones Sustainability Index lists 20 healthcare companies

The count of independent pharmacies is growing, belying past pessimism

The 7th Annual Model N survey shows that industry is struggling with the growing complexity of contracts and pricing for managed care and government programs

Acquisition boosts Medco’s ability to develop evidence-based medicine

Deloitte survey finds life sciences companies are consolidating some functions, whether in-house or outsourced

By running Commercial Operations like a stand-alone business, executives can sharpen their focus on strategy, tactics and overall performance

Examining off-label use of highly prescribed drugs reveals factors that differ from the usual criticism of such usage

Generics are now 75% of dispensed prescriptions, with generics up 5.9% in 2009 and branded products down 7.6%

‘Revenue Management’ Comes to the Rescue of Pharma’s Complex Pricing Environment

Investment funds have developed an interest in trading capital for royalties on drug commercializations

The growth of healthcare business is attracting many new players to the pharmaceutical arena, challenging pharma’s relationships with patients

Big Pharma is not yet deeply enough invested in faster-growing markets outside the developed economies

Shared-risk or ‘pay for performance’ agreements between drugmakers and payers can represent uncertain rewards for both parties. Use strategic planning before entering into them

A review of 84 branded pharmaceutical products with changed ownership as of 2005 shows that many of them can continue to sell, often with much higher prices By Albert I. Wertheimer, PhD, MBA, Temple University, and Ellen F. Loh, BS, MBA, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Survey shows close interplay between manufacturers and their trading partners for supplemental services

Annual survey rank public companies by environmental, social criteria

Industry woes go beyond current global economic downturn

Annual compilation tracks evolution of wholesaler services, adoption of new technologies

With sales of human pharmaceuticals languishing, several factors are focusing increased attention on animal health products, once a little-noticed industry niche market

Program seeks to improve the economics of care for low-income families; more sites to come