Policy Options: Managing the Cost of Specialty Drugs

On Oct. 5, The Pew Charitable Trusts brought together experts representing pharmaceutical manufacturers, health care providers, patients, consumers, researchers, and pharmacy benefit managers to discuss policy approaches for dealing with the significant cost implications of specialty medications.

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Richard Frank (center) discusses the policy options that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is considering to help manage the rising cost of specialty pharmaceuticals.

Using two new FDA-approved cholesterol drugs—known as PCSK9 inhibitors—as a case study, participants discussed existing clinical evidence on the benefits and risks of these drugs; how such evidence can be used to determine a drug’s value and influence pricing and coverage decisions; and policy approaches that align drug and health care costs with patient benefits.

Agenda