Today, it is common for each specialty pharmaceutical product to have its own go-to-market strategy. Because of the unique specialty drug product specifications, therapy regimens, drug product handling, storage and transportation requirements, pricing, reimbursement and other factors, drug distribution channels and methodologies are impacted and must be considered prior to product launch.
Specialty drugs do not necessarily flow directly downstream to the patient via the dispensing pharmacist. Pharmacy benefit-controlled specialty drugs can be more tightly controlled in real time, improving the payers’ ability to track utilization.
In the instance of administration of specialty pharmaceuticals under the medical benefit, distribution is simplified. Claims typically are reimbursed through the medical benefit.
Specialty distributors and full-line wholesalers service clinics and physician offices who then handle the administration of the specialty pharmaceuticals to the patients. Specialty distributors are often subsidiaries of full-line wholesalers.