CARE Pharmacies launches specialty pharmacy network

LINTHICUM, Md. - CARE Pharmacies Cooperative last month launched CARE CONNECT, a proprietary and unique specialty pharmacy internal network designed for its member pharmacies and other retail independent pharmacies. 

 

The announcement comes at an ideal time, with the specialty pharmacy drug spend expected to exceed 50% of the total drug spend by 2018. Additionally, eight out of the top 10 drugs, as measured by revenue, will be specialty drugs in 2016. 

 

“CARE CONNECT was designed to be able to provide the highest level of care to our specialty patients,” stated Michael Wysong, CEO CARE. ”CONNECT is a unique and comprehensive care management model that gives our stores and other retail independent pharmacies a level of support and expertise that their patients require. The model is solely predicated on maintaining access to our patients, their medications and ensuring great outcomes.” 

 

Under the CARE CONNECT program, customized specialty pharmacy management services will be provided by Aureus, and CARE’s member pharmacies will serve as the first-fill option for limited distribution drugs. This internal hub model allows CARE member pharmacies to keep the dispensing of specialty products within the CARE chain, instead of sending them out to other pharmacy providers.