Pharmacy Friends

Join host Maryam Tabatabai, PharmD, associate vice president of clinical information, and guests Erin Feigal, chief human resources officer; Amy Pappas, M.D., physician clinical reviewer; Olivia Payne, PharmD, drug information pharmacist; and Andrea Henry, PharmD, principal drug information pharmacist, as they connect clinical expertise with the real-life needs of patients and caregivers through conversations about diagnosis and caregiving, risk reduction and brain health, and emerging treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.Chapters:00:40 - Navigating diagnosis, caregiving and new treatment options32:38 - What the evidence says about reducing risk01:17:53 - A growing drug pipeline brings new reasons for hopeContent in this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with health care professionals. Always seek advice from a physician or other health care providers with any questions you have regarding a medical treatment or condition before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Autoimmune conditions are complex and treating them requires a coordinated approach that improves health outcomes and affordability.On the newest Pharmacy Friends, listen to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s Timothy O’Shea and Prime’s Sneha Sharma discuss how integrating pharmacy and medical benefits reduces fragmented care and supports clinically appropriate treatment.What you'll hearHow biosimilars and optimized sites of care are improving access for patientsWhy connecting data can help improve treatment decisionsWhat payers should watch as new oral therapies and potential CAR T treatments reshape autoimmune care

Learn how nurse-led care coordination supports members right after their specialty therapy starts. Learn how the compassionate experts at Prime help members understand their treatment, set expectations and get support when it’s needed. Tune in to hear how nurse-led coordination is reducing costs and improving care for the better, including:Fewer early missteps through clear patient educationBetter member experience through personalized supportReduced urgent care and ER visits through early symptom managementChapters02:22 - Introduction to care management05:35 - Care management availability06:45 - Patient impact of care management10:17 - Common conditions that care management teams help with11:52 - Caregiver assistance14:23 - Better patient outcomes, means stronger health systems17:33 - The "why" behind care management is about compassion18:41 - Closing

Dive into the latest episode of Pharmacy Friends for a discussion of the FDA Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher pilot. While accelerated approvals may improve access to innovative therapies, what could a compressed decision-making window mean for evidence review, affordability assessment and implementation planning? Prime experts Angela Sutton and Bob Greer explore the important roles clinical confidence and operational readiness will play in making solid coverage decisions. Hear what they’re most focused on, including:Managing drug spendAssessing coverage strategiesDetermining policy risk00:00 Introduction02:10 What's generating all the questions now?04:35 FDA Hearing05:50 Pro's and con's of accelerated drug approvals11:05 Policy uncertainty and impact to payers11:54 Impact of FDA leadership changes12:24 Meeting the moment15:26 Using data to make better decisions that need to be fast18:39 What we would tell the acting FDA leadership that matters23:15 Closing

Recorded live in Nashville at AMCP Annual 2026, our latest Pharmacy Friends shares takeaways on how real-world medical and pharmacy data, pharmacist-led outreach, and benefit integration are shaping payer decision-making. 00:45 - Why real-time evidence matters09:37 - High-touch pharmacist-to-prescriber outreach helps deliver hard-dollar savings.23:51 – Rare disease insight and reinforcing the need for individualized management and payer case-management opportunities.36:02 -- Why site of care in CAR-T and BiTE therapy matter43:20 – Why mental health parity compliance in government programs matter now 52:55-- Integration signal by highlighting the value of coordinated care.These insights are foundational to how Prime delivers value to health care payers. Using evidence-driven expertise on how therapies are used, where gaps exist and which patients benefit most from additional support, Prime translates research into smarter clinical strategies and high-touch support for patients.  Dive into the real stories, smart insights, and everyday moments that bring the world of pharmacy and everyday life together—one authentic conversation at a time.

Early-onset cancers are rising—and they’re forcing people to rethink cancer, screenings and care models.What if cancer care strategy needs to start earlier—and last longer? This Pharmacy Friends conversation breaks down the rise in early-onset cancers and the practical implications for prevention, benefit design, and affordability.00:00 Intro02:30 Basics of cancer in younger people07:52 Early onset cancer impact on health plans11:14 Patient challenges and decision making15:23 Impact on affordability22:00 Importance of medical and pharmacy benefit integration 27:38 New ways of offering cancer care30:41 Role that AI can play in patient care33:26 Should health care adapt for best clinical outcomes34:50 Being an advocate for the patient38:49 ClosingContent in this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only. The content also does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with health care professionals. Always seek advice from a physician or other health care providers with any questions you have regarding a medical treatment or condition before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Discover how Prime brings together industry recognized accreditation frameworks—like URAC, ISO, and NCQA—to create a unified, reliable approach to patient safety and operational excellence. In this episode, we break down how quality standards become everyday practice through embedded processes, continuous improvement, internal audits, and real world examples that demonstrate measurable impact for clients, members, and partners.00:20: Intro03:12: Importance of quality operations15:50: Pharmacy accreditations on the frontline22:15: Preparing for an emergency23:25: Being a trusted partner28:56: What's next in the quality universe?31:52: New & emerging accreditations to watch33:50: Closing

During this episode of Pharmacy Friends you’ll hear about the rapidly evolving world of cell and gene therapy, highlighting its promise, complexity, and growing impact across the health care ecosystem. Learn about the foundational definitions, emerging clinical innovations, and the expanding pipeline of therapies expected to reach the market in the coming years. It also examines regulatory developments, forecasting approaches, financial considerations, and the human elements that shape patient and provider decision‑making. Through expert insights and real‑world examples, the conversation illustrates how Prime is helping stakeholders navigate this dynamic landscape while preparing for the transformative potential of next‑generation therapies.Listen to the latest episode of the “Pharmacy Friends” podcastRead the latest Cell & Gene Pipeline OutlookLearn more about how Prime manages cell and gene therapiesIn this episode:03:46 What is Cell & Gene Therapy?04:34 What is the Cell & Gene Therapy Pipeline?08:13 Why pay attention to cell & gene therapies?12:45: Collaboration with all stakeholders is important to get the right therapies to patients20:35: Digging in new therapies that are on the horizon 22:56: Importance of the FDA commissioner's national priority voucher25:52: What to consider when these therapies are an option28:40: Is cost a barrier to these therapies?31:41: 2026 cell and gene therapy outlook36:18: Closing - books and fishing

Learn about the FDA’s new expedited approval process for oral GLP-1 medications—a breakthrough that could transform obesity care. Host Maryam Tabatabai and Carole Kerzic talk about these once-daily pills, and their potential for the similar benefits as injectables without needles or refrigeration. With potential approval coming soon, oral GLP-1s could expand access, impact adherence, and help reshape the weight-loss market. Staying informed is critical: these drugs not only aid weight management but also improve cardiometabolic health. Tune in to learn why understanding the latest developments matters for payers, clinicians, patients, and policymakers.GLP-1 Pipeline Update: November 202500:00 Overview00:49 Introduction to oral GLP-1s02:43 Evidence from clinical trials10:28 Big picture if FDA approves oral GLP-1s14:08 Must know: Non-peptide vs peptide15:45 More patient friendly formulation?17:38 Market & timing for oral GLP-s Content in this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only. The content also does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with health care professionals. Always seek advice from a physician or other health care providers with any questions you have regarding a medical treatment or condition before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Research is more than just finding interesting stats. It's about finding better ways to deliver savings, simplicity, and support. In this episode, you’ll hear from managed care pharmacy researchers who are doing just that, delivering data driven insights to drive affordability and access in health care.  Pat Gleason, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, FAMCP, assistant vice president of health outcomes; Nick Friedlander, PharmD, clinical program pharmacist; and Simone Ndujiuba, PharmD, BCOP, clinical oncology pharmacist senior principal; and host Alex Cook, senior public relations manager, discuss how Prime’s research helps address affordability and accessibility issues and guides health care providers and peers toward clarity on treatment for complex health conditions. Research topics covered:Three-Year Real-World Adherence and Persistence to Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Among Commercially Insured Adults with Obesity without Diabetes Trends in Real-World Persistence to Weight Loss Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists from 2021 to 2024 Among Commercially Insured Adults without Diabetes — This study earned a platinum award from AMCP.  Impact of a Medical Claims Automated Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Drugs Prior Authorization Program— This study earned a gold award from AMCP.Validation of Long-term Savings from a Pharmacist-to-Prescriber Telephonic Intervention — This study earned a gold award from AMCP. Total Cost of Care and Adverse Effects Assessment of Bispecific T-cell Engagers and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapies for Relapsed Refractory Follicular Lymphoma  -------------------------Content in this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only.The content also does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with health care professionals. Always seek advice from a physician or other health care providers with any questions you have regarding a medical treatment or condition before undertaking a new health care regimen.