
News|Podcasts|March 12, 2026
Pharma Pulse: FDA Launches AEMS and the Rise of Direct-to-Employer Drug Purchasing
Author(s)Stephen Appezzato
In today’s Pharma Pulse, the FDA launched a unified monitoring system to enable real-time adverse event reporting, and direct-to-employer drug purchasing models are emerging as companies look to bypass traditional intermediaries.
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Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast in which we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and let's get into today's headlines.
- The FDA has launched the
Adverse Event Monitoring System , or AEMS. This unified platform replaces fragmented legacy databases, shifting safety surveillance from quarterly releases to real-time reporting. The transition is projected to save the agency approximately 120 million dollars over five years while providing "radical transparency" into the safety of regulated drugs and products. - In other news, direct-to-employer drug purchasing is emerging as companies navigate high prescription benefit costs.
New platforms allow employers to bypass traditional pharmacy benefit managers and purchase medications directly from manufacturers. Some suggest this trend could fundamentally restructure pharmaceutical distribution as employers seek relief from escalating brand-name drug expenditures.
That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access, visit
Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.
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