The New Pharmaceutical Paradigm: Capturing Value, Improving Access, and Maximizing Outcomes
Dr. Chuck Shih, NPC’s fellow in comparative effectiveness research, discusses how the use and management of pharmaceuticals are being integrated into new care delivery and payment models in a column published online today in Pharmacy Times.
Dr. Chuck Shih, NPC’s fellow in comparative effectiveness research, discusses how the use and management of pharmaceuticals are being integrated into new care delivery and payment models in a column published online today in Pharmacy Times.
Dr. Shih notes that new models such as accountable care organizations, Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs), bundled payments, and Value-Based Insurance Design have the potential to shift the U.S. healthcare system from one that is fragmented and quantity-of-services-focused to one that is coordinated and encourages high-value care. There are still a number of issues that need to be addressed before these models can reach their full potential, he writes.
These issues include:
- having the appropriate quality measures in place to identify and incentivize high-quality care;
- incorporating the value of pharmaceuticals in the development of drug benefit designs; and
- recognizing the key role that pharmacists can play in efforts to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy and high-value care.
“Development of quality measures that recognize the value of appropriately delivered drug therapy will allow the healthcare system progress in a positive direction. Combined with drug benefit systems that facilitate patient access to effective, high-value care, it is possible to achieve a truly value-based healthcare system and our shared vision of a healthier U.S. population,” Dr. Shih concludes.