Intern Perspectives: Rebecca Brown, AMCP Foundation/Pfizer, Inc. Managed Care Internship

This past summer, I had the privilege of serving as a Managed Care Pharmacy Intern with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBS NC) through the Pfizer/AMCP Foundation internship program. As a student pharmacist passionate about bridging clinical practice with real-world evidence and patient access, this experience gave me a front-row seat to the impact that managed care has on improving outcomes for diverse patient populations.

My primary project focused on migraine management, specifically the use of CGRP-targeted therapies. Leveraging real-world claims data, I evaluated prescribing trends before and after the release of the 2024 American Headache Society (AHS) guidelines. This project not only introduced me to the complexities of data analytics, but also helped me appreciate how payers use evidence to guide formulary decisions, address health disparities, and design interventions that ensure equitable access to innovative therapies.

Throughout the internship, I had the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams at BCBS NC and to learn from leaders at Pfizer and AMCP. Their mentorship was instrumental in helping me connect classroom knowledge to real-world applications, from formulary management and utilization review to population health strategy. I also gained invaluable experience presenting to senior stakeholders, refining my ability to communicate complex findings in a clear and actionable way.

One of the highlights of this internship was realizing how deeply pharmacists influence patient care behind the scenes—whether by evaluating cost-effectiveness, advocating for equitable coverage, or aligning clinical decisions with the latest evidence. This perspective has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medical affairs and market access, where I can contribute to building sustainable systems that improve patient outcomes at scale.

I am incredibly grateful to my preceptors at BCBS NC, my virtual mentors, and the PAML/FMD colleagues at Pfizer who guided me along the way. Their investment in my growth made this internship a transformative experience, and I carry forward not only new skills, but also a renewed passion for advancing patient-centered solutions.

I look forward to presenting a poster on my project at AMCP Nexus 2025, where I hope to continue learning from and contributing to the managed care community.

Support managed care research and the cultivation of tomorrow's leaders by making a gift today!