Priya Reddy, MD
Physician
AARA - Southwest Florida Rheumatology
Riverview, FL, United States
Disclosure(s): AbbVie/Abbott: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Grant/Research Support (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Amgen: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Aqtual: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, December 31, 2024), Grant/Research Support (Terminated, December 31, 2024); Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMS): Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Eli Lilly: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Exagen: Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Terminated, December 31, 2024); Janssen: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Novartis: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, September 1, 2024); Pfizer: Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Sanofi: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Scipher: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, December 31, 2024); UCB: Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing)
Priya Reddy, MD
Physician
AARA - Southwest Florida Rheumatology
Riverview, FL, United States
Disclosure(s): AbbVie/Abbott: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Grant/Research Support (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Amgen: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Aqtual: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, December 31, 2024), Grant/Research Support (Terminated, December 31, 2024); Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMS): Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Eli Lilly: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Exagen: Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Terminated, December 31, 2024); Janssen: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Novartis: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, September 1, 2024); Pfizer: Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Sanofi: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing); Scipher: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, December 31, 2024); UCB: Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing)
This session has been planned jointly by the AMPC Business of Rheumatology and ARP Teams.
Biologic therapies are the cornerstone treatments for many rheumatologic illnesses. These are administered in the rheumatology office and can also be dispensed for self-administration. Multiple challenges are encountered among many of these centers, including prior authorization issues, long wait times, staffing, and management of adverse events. This session will focus on reviewing common issues encountered at infusion centers and coordinating infusion and dispensed therapies. This session will also address methods to improve efficacy at outpatient, non-oncology infusion centers, and will explore the transformative impact of integrating rheumatology specific clinical pharmacists into the care team.
A key aspect of this integration has been streamlining the prior authorization process. The clinical pharmacist actively engages with payors to expedite approvals and minimize denials, thus reducing delays and ensuring timely access to essential medications.
With the advent of biosimilars, the pharmacy team also navigates the complex issues that arise from shifting insurance formularies, leading to increased prescribing accuracy and increased medication compliance. They also address medication access challenges through utilization of copay cards, manufacturer bridge programs, patient assistance programs, and reimbursement programs for patients with complex accumulator or maximizer insurance plans.
Additionally, clinical pharmacists can provide comprehensive medication education to patients, covering topics such as administration technique for subcutaneous medications, potential side effects, and strategies for managing adverse events. This patient-centered approach empowers individuals to actively participate in their own care and promotes medication adherence.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the specific roles of clinical pharmacists in improving patient access to medications, optimizing treatment plans, and ultimately, achieving better clinical outcomes.
Speaker: Waleed Bolad, MD – Self
Speaker: Katharine McCarthy, PharmD – University of Rochester Medical Center
Speaker: Kaleb Michaud, PhD – University of Nebraska Medical Center
