DSNTV: Peyton Howell, EVP/President, Global Sourcing and Manufacturer Relations, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.
Howell, whose team works to connect AmerisourceBergen’s customers with the manufacturer community, discussed the company’s efforts to strengthen its negotiations with vendors and how AmerisourceBergen’s strategic alliance with Walgreens Boots Alliance is allowing it to leverage its massive scale, helping to drive down costs and open up access for independent community pharmacy — a critical focus for her group, she told DSN.
“The No. 1 thing we focus on with manufacturers is patient access,” she said. “That’s important because it’s very easy for a manufacturer to look at a specialty product and limit distribution and access … for community pharmacy. But if the patient is actually presenting in the community pharmacy, you’re really missing the opportunity for that pharmacist to service that patient’s full needs.
“The No. 1 thing we focus on with manufacturers is patient access,” she said. “That’s important because it’s very easy for a manufacturer to look at a specialty product and limit distribution and access … for community pharmacy. But if the patient is actually presenting in the community pharmacy, you’re really missing the opportunity for that pharmacist to service that patient’s full needs.