Specialty pharmacies offer patients with chronic or rare illnesses various benefits, including targeted disease management. Healthcare organizations such as hospitals also rely on specialty pharmacies to improve patient care. Specialty pharmacies specialize in the management of chronic or rare diseases that require advanced treatment protocols. Such treatments often entail advanced biologic medications that are not commonly available in local pharmacies. The medications range from pills to injectable and infused drugs. Usually more expensive than commonly used drugs, specialty medications may require strict regulations by manufacturers or insurers.

1. The Importance of Specialty Pharmacies
Ellen Scharaga

2. Introduction
Specialty pharmacies offer patients with chronic or rare illnesses various
benefits, including targeted disease management. Healthcare organizations such
as hospitals also rely on specialty pharmacies to improve patient care.

3. Specialty pharmacies specialize in the management of chronic or rare
diseases that require advanced treatment protocols. Such treatments often
entail advanced biologic medications that are not commonly available in
local pharmacies. The medications range from pills to injectable and infused
drugs. Usually more expensive than commonly used drugs, specialty
medications may require strict regulations by manufacturers or insurers.

4. Patients with complex conditions such as cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, or
rheumatoid arthritis depend on the expertise of specialty pharmacies.
Individuals diagnosed with rare genetic disorders also may need specialty
pharmacies to dispense their medications.

5. Specialty pharmacists acquire clinical expertise in the aforementioned
conditions and can obtain advanced certifications in the field. The National
Association of Specialty Pharmacy offers CSP (Certified Specialty
Pharmacist) certification to advance the careers of specialty pharmacists.

6. Specialty pharmacies must keep medications in stock. Unlike traditional
retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies function with different
infrastructure and capabilities. For example, specialty pharmacies are
associated with a clinical support center that helps pharmacists with drug
prescriptions. Specialty pharmacies also incorporate clinical therapy
software for health monitoring purposes. The software records patients’
medical and prescription data and links this information to clinical
outcomes.

7. Further, specialty pharmacies are more involved in the healthcare process.
They offer additional assistance with drug administration as well as
counseling and insurance support. Patients burdened with financial
commitments can navigate their medication costs more effectively with the
help of a specialty pharmacy.

8. Specialty pharmacists help patients find the appropriate payment plan,
guide patients during the insurance paperwork process, and help them
make the most of their insurance benefits. Beyond their personalized
approach to patient care, specialty pharmacies are integral to the large-
scale healthcare system.

9. Hospital-based specialty pharmacies play an important role in healthcare
management. Patients with expensive medical prescriptions are more likely
to abandon their treatment, resulting in low compliance and a high risk of
long-term complications. Specialty pharmacies have access to patient data,
prescriptions, and compliance, so they can help hospitals follow the course
of treatment.

10. Today, one in 11 hospitals relies on a specialty pharmacy. The marriage of
specialty pharmacies and hospital care yields a more effective approach to
patient care. Clinicians can be privy to patient data and provide prompt
intervention when their patient stops taking a medication, thus mediating
possible long-term adverse events.

11. Specialty clinicians also can access more comprehensive patient medical
records, which helps them make better decisions in treatment. Another
advantage of hospital-based specialty pharmacies is the enhanced
physician-pharmacist dynamic. Pharmacists can gain a better understanding
of physicians’ treatment recommendations and channel this approach when
interacting with patients.

12. Specialty pharmacies have experienced a boom in recent years, attracting
the attention of different organizations. For example, in August 2021, the
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) launched a new program
to support contracting in specialty pharmacies. Their Specialty Pharmacy
Accreditation program includes standards that cover patient support, staff
training, and product integrity.