Drug Channels delivers timely analysis and provocative opinions from Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., the country's foremost expert on pharmaceutical economics and the drug distribution system. Drug Channels reaches an engaged, loyal and growing audience of more than 100,000 subscribers and followers. Learn more...

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

What’s Next for Retail Pharmacy: Data, Debate, and Disruption (NEW Live Video Webinar)

Dr. Adam J. Fein, president of Drug Channels Institute (DCI) and the author of Drug Channels, invites you to join him for DCI’s new live video webinar:

What’s Next for Retail Pharmacy:
Data, Debate, and Disruption

This event will be broadcast live on:
Friday, June 20, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET

Dr. Fein will be joined by special guest Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of 46brooklyn Research, and President of 3 Axis Advisors. Adam and Antonio will share their unique insights on the pharmacy market and engage in a dynamic, real-time debate you won’t want to miss!

The webinar will be broadcast live from the Drug Channels studio in beautiful downtown Philadelphia and the 46brooklyn studio in fabulous Columbus, Ohio. It is part of The Drug Channels 2025 Video Webinar Series.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Join industry experts Adam and Antonio for an exclusive deep dive and discussion into the latest trends, data, and strategies shaping the retail pharmacy industry. Drawing from their organizations’ respective research, they will provide invaluable insights to help you and your team stay informed about this rapidly changing marketplace.

Topics will include:

  • The competitive landscape of retail pharmacy, with exclusive market data from DCI and 46brooklyn
  • Key economic trends among leading PBMs and their impact on the market
  • PBMs’ controversial effect on pharmacy and how they’re shaping the industry
  • The medications driving pharmacy profits and the ones bringing financial pain
  • The benefits and shortcomings of state and federal PBM regulations, including a debate over the new Arkansas law
  • Exclusive insights into the latest state transparency reports
  • The complex roles of pharmaceutical wholesalers in pharmacies’ supply chain
  • The risks and rewards of acquisition cost pharmacy reimbursement
  • The pros and cons of the 340B Drug Pricing Program for retail pharmacies
  • How hospital-owned pharmacies are changing the game
  • The outlook for shakeout and consolidation
  • Actionable takeaways for pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy leaders
  • Emerging controversies, challenges, and threats to watch in the industry

And much more!

As always, Adam and Antonio will clearly distinguish their opinions and interpretations from the objective facts and data.

What’s more, this 90-minute video webinar will feature a live discussion and debate between Adam and Antonio. Watch these two experts challenge conventional wisdom—and each other—in an unprecedented throwdown.

Register now to stay informed and get ahead of the curve on the pharmacy industry!

PRICING OPTIONS

Take advantage of this exclusive educational opportunity for just $420 per viewing device. Once you register, you'll receive a unique Zoom access link within 24 hours—making it easy to add the event to your calendar and ensure you don’t miss out.

Special Discounts For Teams!

We understand that many professionals are working remotely, so we’re offering substantial savings for multiple registrations from the same organization:

  • Register multiple devices for as low as $295 each—a 30% discount!
  • Unlimited attendees can watch together at a single physical location (one registered device required).

Important Reminder: Each device at a single physical location must have its own registration. The webinar may not be recorded, streamed, broadcast, or shared across different locations, devices, or sites.

Click here to order. All discounts will be automatically computed based on the number of registrations you enter in your cart. (You can reset the cart by entering 0 in the quantity field.)

What’s Next for Retail Pharmacy: Data, Debate, and Disruption

Please contact Paula Fein (paula@drugchannels.net) if you have any questions. If you purchase access for multiple devices, we will contact you for a list of your participants and their email addresses. Or, download this spreadsheet and email your registrants’ information to dcisupport@hmpglobal.com.

Payment can be made with all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) or via PayPal. Need to pay via check or ACH? Click here to request an invoice.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

  • Watch and listen via any device with a web browser (computer, iPad, iPhone/Android, etc.) There is no access via telephone.
  • We will use Zoom technology for this webinar. Every registrant will receive an email from Zoom with a link to watch the event. This link is unique to the registrant and can only be accessed once. We recommend that every registrant download the Zoom client software/app.
  • Every registrant will receive an email from Zoom with links to download Adam and Antonio’s slides.
  • The day after the event, every registrant—whether they attended the live event or not—will receive an email from Zoom with information on how to access a video replay of the live event and download all slides.
  • This event is part of The Drug Channels 2025 Video Webinar Series. If you already purchased access to the 2025 Drug Channels Video Webinar Series, then you should have received an email from Zoom with a link to access the June 20, 2025, event.
  • Organizations that purchased corporate access for The Drug Channels 2025 Video Webinar Series will receive a custom, branded signup link so employees can easily register. We will automatically refund payments from anyone at a company with corporate access who purchases a single registration using their corporate email account.
  • Each registration for a DCI webinar is valid for a single device at a single physical location. Each device at a physical location requires its own registration. Attendees are not permitted to record, stream, share, or project a DCI webinar to other sites or locations. Purchasers who violate this limitation by recording, streaming, sharing, or projecting a DCI webinar to other sites, devices, or locations will be liable for the full cost of all locations that viewed the webinar. DCI reserves the right to prohibit purchasers who violate our terms from attending future DCI webinars.
  • Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds.

Friday, May 16, 2025

Resetting the Walk-Away Price: How GoodRx Data Reveals New Realities of Prescription Abandonment

Today’s guest post is from Divya Iyer, SVP of Go-to-Market Strategy at GoodRx.

Divya shares new GoodRx data showing that out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter remain a primary barrier to medication adherence. Despite the availability of manufacturer-sponsored support programs, many patients still abandon their prescriptions due to high costs.

To learn about GoodRx’s prescription abandonment solutions, download Reduce Rx Abandonment at the Pharmacy.

Read on for Divya’s insights.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

How Large PBMs Make Money Today: A 2025 Drug Channels Update

During my PBM Industry Update: Trends, Challenges, and What’s Ahead video webinar, I explored the latest trends, emerging data, and strategic shifts transforming the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) industry.

In the video clip below, I explain how PBM compensation models continue to evolve:

  • Traditional profit sources, such as mail dispensing of nonspecialty drugs and retained rebates, have become less significant.
  • Retail network spreads now account for a small portion of large PBMs’ overall profits.
  • Specialty dispensing profits, manufacturer administrative fees, and revenues from group purchasing organizations (GPOs) have emerged as major contributors to PBM profitability.

Can’t see the video? Click here to watch the PBM compensation models clip.

Understanding how PBMs generate profits is key to navigating the evolving drug channel landscape. Watch the full webinar replay and download the complete slide deck to explore these dynamics in more depth.

For a more comprehensive analysis of the forces transforming PBMs, see DCI’s 2025 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

Friday, May 09, 2025

From Barriers to Bridges: Rethinking Medication Access for 2025

Today’s guest post comes from Mike Cohn, Vice President, Network Operations at CoverMyMeds.

Mike shares key takeaways on patient access and affordability from CoverMyMeds’ 2025 Medication Access Report. He focuses on the systemic fragmentation that exists across payers, providers, and pharmacies. Mike explains how these silos delay treatment and lead to increased out-of-pocket costs.

To learn how a more connected, patient-centered solution can bridge silos and align clinical and financial realities, register for CoverMyMeds’ free June 12th webinar: Dimensionalization of the Patient Journey.

Read on for Mike’s insights.

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

Follow the 340B Dollar: Senator Cassidy Exposes How CVS Health and Walgreens Profit as 340B Contract Pharmacies

Two weeks ago, Senator Bill Cassidy—now chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)—dropped a must-read, eyebrow-raising report on the out-of-control 340B Drug Pricing Program. (Link below.)

The report reveals previously confidential information showing how billions are funneled to health systems and pharmacies—with manufacturers unable to follow the flow.

Below, we use these new disclosures to illustrate the 340B program’s hidden prescription economics for 340B contract specialty pharmacies operated by CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance.

As you can see, the program’s participants earn substantial margins, while plans and third-party payers foot the bill.

What do you think? Click here to share your thoughts with the Drug Channels LinkedIn community.  

Monday, May 05, 2025

Claritas Rx’s Webinar: Achieve Specialty Pharma Success with AI: Enhance Care, Elevate Fill Rates by 20% and Improve Patient Adherence

Participate in Claritas Rx's upcoming webinar to learn innovative strategies designed to increase your fill rates by 20% and enhance patient adherence. The webinar seeks to elevate your operational efficiency and improve patient care standards. 

Join Claritas Rx experts as they lead you through methods intended to optimize patient care coordination, featuring an in-depth real-world case study that demonstrates the impact of these approaches. You will also acquire insights into streamlining patient journey processes with AI.

During this webinar, you will learn:
  • Key strategies to boost fill rates by 20% and improve patient adherence in specialty pharma operations
  • How to leverage advanced AI solutions to transform and streamline your patient journey processes
  • Insights on elevating care standards and maximizing outcomes for success in specialty pharma
Register today to take the lead in achieving success in specialty pharma.

When: May 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT)

Register Here: Achieve Specialty Pharma Success with AI: Enhance Care, Elevate Fill Rates by 20% and Improve Patient Adherence

Presenters:


The content of Sponsored Posts does not necessarily reflect the views of HMP Omnimedia, LLC, Drug Channels Institute, its parent company, or any of its employees. To find out how you can publish an event post on Drug Channels, please contact Paula Fein (paula@DrugChannels.net).

Friday, May 02, 2025

Unlocking the Gate: The Critical First 24 Hours of Patient Hub Engagement

Today’s guest post comes from Kristine McGaughey, Vice President, Implementation at ConnectiveRx and Sam Blake, SVP, Hub Product at ConnectiveRx.

Sam and Kristine discuss the importance of the first 24 hours of a patient’s engagement with a hub services program. They outline five reasons why two components—patient enrollment and successful benefits verification—dictate the effectiveness of a patient support program.

To learn more, register for ConnectiveRx’s free June 3 webinar: Unlocking the Gate: The Critical First 24 Hours of Patient Hub Engagement.

Read on for Kristine and Sam’s insights.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Drug Channels News Roundup, April 2025: Amazon Rx Update, Express Scripts’ Spend Trends, Gold Cards, and CMS Acronym Absurdity

Spring has officially arrived at Drug Channels' worldwide headquarters in beautiful downtown Philadelphia. (Photo proof at right.) So, scurry over to this month’s curated crop of noteworthy news:
  • Amazon Pharmacy is still coming for retail pharmacy
  • Express Scripts revives its long-lost drug trend report
  • Prior authorization gold cards: Progress or peril?
Plus, MPPP or not MPPP? That is the question.

P.S. Join nearly 63,000 of your peers who follow me on LinkedIn for daily insights, links to neat stuff, and sharp commentary from the ever-engaged DCI community.

Live from Asembia’s AXS25 Summit: The DCI team is on-site! Swing by booth #1601 at 4 p.m. today for our “Ask Adam Anything” (#AAA) session.

Friday, April 25, 2025

IRA Fallout: What 2025 Medicare Shifts Mean for Patient Access and Market Strategy

Today’s guest post comes from Scott Hughes, Vice President of Strategy of CareMetx.

In this latest analysis from CareMetx, Scott explores how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reshaping Medicare patients’ access to critical medications across three high-impact therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, and endocrinology. Drawing on fresh 2025 plan data, he highlights the emerging barriers faced by patients, the shifting demands on providers, and the strategic implications for drug manufacturers.

To learn more, download CareMetx’s complete analysis: The IRA Disruption Report: A Strategic Look at Patient Access Changes.

Read on for Scott’s insights.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

SAVE THE DATE: Drug Channels Leadership Forum, March 16-18, 2026

After a blockbuster inaugural event and tremendous feedback from attendees, we’re excited to announce that the Drug Channels Leadership Forum (DCLF) returns on March 16–18, 2026, at the Turnberry Resort & Spa in Miami. This one-of-a-kind, off-the-record event convenes senior leaders across the drug channel to address today’s most pressing industry issues.
“I’d recommend the DCLF to anyone in the drug industry in the US. It's a great opportunity to bring together all constituents and members and have a frank sharing of ideas.”
Timothy Folts, Finance Director of Gross-to-Net Strategy, GSK
WHO SHOULD ATTEND

DCLF is an invite-only, strategic gathering for leaders across the drug channel ecosystem, including:
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturers
  • PBMs, health plans, and employers
  • Health systems and physician practices
  • Pharmacies and wholesalers
  • Policymakers
“The thing that I think sets it apart is the fact that there are so many different parts of the industry that are represented here.”
Jeanine Robertson, Director of Pharmacy Network Relations, Liviniti
WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect bold, candid discussions—not just presentations. We’re enhancing the 2026 agenda with new formats and even more opportunities for direct, high-impact exchanges among attendees.

Here’s a glimpse of what made the 2025 event such a success:
  • Provocative panels with C-suite executives
  • Off-the-record insights and open Q&A sessions
  • No exhibit hall, no press, no distractions—just substance
✅ 92% of 2025 attendees said they'd return!
“Sometimes you go to events like this and the chat on stage is completely pre-scripted. But we're not seeing that today, which has really added a robustness and flavor to the overall discussion.”
Jason Dombi, Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions, Cencora
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM DCLF 2025

Relive the #DCLF2025 energy and hear testimonials directly from participants.

(Can’t see the video above? Click here.)

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

We limit attendance from industry suppliers (e.g., tech, consulting, financial services) to maintain the event’s strategic focus.

Attendance for suppliers is only available through sponsorship. The number of badges provided depends on your selected sponsorship level.
“The networking opportunities at DCLF have been impressive.”
Angie Franks, CEO, Kalderos
A CONFIDENTIAL, INVITE-ONLY EXPERIENCE

To foster open dialogue and protect attendee confidentiality, DCLF is a private event:
  • No media or press
  • No recording or reporting
  • No exhibit hall
If you want to be in the room where it happens, you need to be there in person.

GET STARTED
Invitations will begin going out in October 2025. Don’t wait—our curated guest list fills up fast.

Have questions? Interested in sponsorship? Please contact us or visit us at booth #1601 at Asembia.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Smaller Pharmacies, Bigger Impact: Inside Manufacturers’ Specialty Networks in 2025

Last week, we examined the growing concentration of specialty drug dispensing revenues among the largest pharmacies. See The Top 15 Specialty Pharmacies of 2024: How PBMs, Health Systems, and Independents Are Shaping the Market.

Today, we dive deeper. Drawing from DCI’s new 2025 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, we explore how pharmaceutical manufacturers structure their specialty pharmacy networks—and how smaller, independent pharmacies have emerged as dominant players in exclusive networks.

In DCI’s latest analysis, we find specialty pharmacies affiliated with the largest PBMs still play an outsized role in limited networks. But like a certain striped-hatted cat, smaller pharmacies unaffiliated with PBMs show up where few expect them. They dominate exclusive networks and maybe even cleaning up any messes left by Things 1, 2, and 3.

Read on for DCI’s updated profile of specialty networks—and consider why smaller players are showing the good tricks that they know.

Monday, April 21, 2025

Visit Drug Channels in Booth #1601 at #Asembia25 for a Special “Ask Adam Anything” (#AAA) Session

Next week, the Drug Channels Institute (DCI) team will be heading to Asembia’s AXS25 Summit at the always fabulous Wynn Las Vegas.

Thanks to our friends at HMP Global, we’re thrilled to have our very own DCI booth once again!

As you might expect, we'll be showing up in true Drug Channels style. Be sure to swing by booth #1601 for fun, flair, and pharma-frivolity:
  • Ask Adam Anything (#AAA). Join DCI president Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., for a special live session during the opening reception on Monday, April 28, at 4:00 p.m. Bring your phone—selfies encouraged!
  • Spin the Drug Channels Wheel O’ Fun and win fabulous prizes!
  • Meet Jeana Dollear, the behind-the-scenes dynamo who keeps everything running smoothly.
  • Enjoy cupcakes and conversation!
DCI’s booth is conveniently located in the middle of the hall. Check out the handy map below for directions:

[Click to Enlarge]

And remember: What happens in Booth #1601, stays in Booth #1601. 😉