Pan Foundation Convenes Dialogue Series On Issues Surrounding Access To Specialty Medications

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With healthcare reform implementation underway and the deadline to sign up for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces looming, the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation hosted a daylong discussion yesterday looking at access and cost-sharing of specialty medications for underinsured patients.

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The event, held at the National Press Club, brought together physicians, patient advocates, payers, pharmacists, policymakers, researchers, pharmaceutical and specialty pharmacy executives and other stakeholders to gain insights and discuss various topics facing the underinsured population.

"It is no secret in the healthcare industry that big changes are coming as a result of healthcare reform," said PAN Foundation President Patrick McKercher, RPh, PhD. "While so much attention from policymakers and the media has been focused on how reform will impact the uninsured, very little has been given to the underinsured population, comparatively. Yesterday's event enabled us to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders from all over the healthcare field to take a closer look at how reform will impact the underinsured population."

The Dialogue Series event featured a keynote address from former Tennessee Governor Philip Bredesen, who discussed the impacts of healthcare reform on patient care. Additional sessions focused on trends in specialty medications and their impacts on prescription drug coverage and anticipated impacts of the Health Insurance Exchanges. Lively panel discussions on health literacy and patient engagement and trends in patient assistance rounded out the day.

"Since it was established nearly a decade ago, the PAN Foundation has served as a tireless advocate for underinsured critical and chronic illness patients and their families," McKercher explained. "The Dialogue Series allows us to further such efforts by bringing all of the stakeholders involved in the treatment and care of these patients together and fostering a frank discussion about the issues they face affording their medications."

The PAN Foundation hopes to further explore issues facing the underinsured population with similar events in the future.

SOURCE The PAN Foundation