Media Reports Mischaracterize Specialty Pharmacies

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) has released a statement to counter the mischaracterization of specialty pharmacy in recent media reports. Following is a summary of the statement.

A specialty pharmacy is a state-licensed pharmacy that solely or largely provides only medications for people with serious health conditions such as cancer, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDs, multiple sclerosis, organ transplantation, or bleeding disorders. In addition to being state-licensed and regulated, specialty pharmacies are often accredited by independent third parties such as URAC® or the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).

Specialty pharmacies connect severely ill patients with the medications that are prescribed for their conditions, provide the special handling and patient care services these medications require, and support patients who are facing reimbursement challenges for these often costly medications. Although specialty pharmacies may work closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers, they are not manufacturers and do not establish prices for specialty medications. Nor do specialty pharmacies prescribe drugs.

The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) represents 71 companies in the specialty pharmacy industry, including 42 of the nation's leading specialty pharmacies. Our members have spent many years and have made a considerable financial investment in developing the management, systems, processes, and clinical capabilities required to ensure that their seriously ill patients can obtain and properly use medications that are complex and often life-saving.  NASP welcomes the opportunity to explain specialty pharmacy further and to present examples and additional information about the vital role our members play in alleviating disease and improving patient health.

The full text of the NASP statement on the mischaracterization of specialty pharmacies  may be viewed here.

About the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)
www.naspnet.org 
The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy™ (NASP™) is the national association for all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry. NASP's nearly 70 corporate members and over 1,000 professionals represent specialty pharmacies, PBMs, health plans, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, GPOs/wholesalers/distributors, and others allied to the industry. The mission of NASP is to provide education programs and business opportunities to improve patient care and to be the national voice for specialty pharmacy.

Contact:
Robert Fulcher                                                                                                            [email protected]
(703) 842-0121

SOURCE National Association of Specialty Pharmacy

Related Links

http://www.naspnet.org