12th Edition of the EMD Serono Specialty Digest™ Now Available
- Value of specialty medicines, appropriate clinical use identified as critical managed care challenges
ROCKLAND, Mass., May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, the North America biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced the release of the 12th edition of the EMD Serono Specialty Digest™. The Digest, which was featured last week at the Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit in Las Vegas, NV, is an industry resource that provides market data on health plans' management of specialty pharmaceuticals in 2015 and identifies common trends occurring across plans. The Digest is available to those who request a copy at http://www.specialtydigest.emdserono.com.
"EMD Serono has a longstanding commitment to customers and patients to further the understanding of trends in the management of specialty pharmaceuticals and ultimately, improve patient outcomes," said Scott Filosi, Senior Vice President, Market Access & Customer Solutions, EMD Serono. "It is our hope that this year's Digest findings will help spur conversations around ways to ensure continued patient access to optimal care."
The 12th edition of the EMD Serono Specialty Digest includes data from 58 commercial health plans across the country, representing more than 140 million covered lives. New to the Digest this year is an oncology-specific supplement that includes a deeper analysis into the therapeutic category, which continues to be a major focus for health plans. The new oncology-specific supplement is scheduled to be available in June.
"The findings in the area of oncology shed light on new trends such as the adoption of clinical pathways as well as concerns around restricting product use and the cost of infusion site visits for payers," said Kevin Host, President, Artemetrx, who oversaw the development of this year's Digest. "Understanding these managed care challenges as they relate to oncology is an important step in better meeting the needs of patients."
Further findings from this year's Digest show that while alignment of pharmacy and medical benefits has improved, it still remains a major issue for some plans. Additionally, plans are more likely to select preferred products and to exclude non-preferred agents as a therapy class matures post-launch.
The EMD Serono Specialty Digest was first developed in 2004 to provide a comprehensive reference for managed care decision makers regarding the management of specialty products. Over the past twelve years, health plans, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), employers, specialty pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies have relied on the Digest to identify current and future trends in the management of specialty pharmaceuticals.
About EMD Serono, Inc.
EMD Serono is the North America biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany - a leading science and technology company - focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, the business has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology as R&D focus areas. Today, the business has more than 1,100 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts.
About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group Website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 12.8 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, holds the global rights to the Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.
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SOURCE EMD Serono
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