Super specialty pharmacy refers specifically to channels that distribute specialty drugs. These are pharmaceutical therapies that are high cost, complex, and/or expensive. "High-touch services" were added to the initial price tags of specialty pharmacies. This was because patients who received specialty pharmaceuticals needed "high levels of ancillary or follow-up care to ensure that their drug spending is not wasted.
Who Uses Them?
Conditions that may require meds from a Super specialty pharmacy include:
• Bleeding disorders
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Growth hormone deficiency
• Hemophilia
• Hepatitis C
• HIV and AIDS
• Immune disorders
• Infertility
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Rheumatoid arthritis
"Specialty pharmacists are different from traditional pharmacies because they coordinate many aspects in patient care and disease management. They can deliver medication with special storage and distribution requirements. Standardized processes allow for economies of scale. Patients with complex, rare, and often chronic conditions are able to benefit from specialty pharmacies that provide close care and management. Specialist pharmacies have health professionals who educate patients and help to ensure medication compliance, prescribe the right medications, and avoid unnecessary costs. Other support systems allow for the coordination of information between healthcare professionals and patients.
The services that specialty pharmacy provides to patients, providers, payers, and manufacturers is what really matters. It is important that the support provided must be consistent and that the systems used are sophisticated enough to meet all the needs. It's not the place of care that is important.
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