From Paula's Desk: Managed Care Pharmacy Research Agenda
Originally published in April 2021 AMCP Foundation Insights e-newsletter.
Dear #AMCPFdn Friends,
The managed care pharmacy research agenda is coming to life! AMCP and AMCP Foundation published the research agenda in 2020 as a call to action for stakeholders to close knowledge gaps ranging from value-based decision-making to the impact of benefit design.
Our profession’s experience in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19 informed the development of two new priorities.
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Our first new research priority is addressing disparities in designing and delivering health care through managed care pharmacy, while considering diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as social determinants of health. This pandemic has increased awareness of the effects that health disparities have upon care access and outcomes, and AMCP Foundation remains committed to supporting AMCP in achieving racial equity.
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Our second new research priority is assessing managed care pharmacy programs focused on patient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have no doubt that investigators in health care services will continue to study COVID-19 for many years to come, and I look forward to managed care pharmacy’s important contributions.
The research agenda now includes four pillars and eight priorities. Check out the poster we presented at AMCP 2021 Virtual, “Advancing the Managed Care Pharmacy Research Agenda via Mapping of Research Pillars and Priorities,” for additional details.
Another excellent resource you may like to bookmark is our recent webinar: “From Value to Patient Care: Innovative Practices within the Managed Care Pharmacy Research Agenda.” The program featured four cutting-edge case studies, one from each pillar of the research agenda (speakers pictured below). The archived recording would provide terrific research context for your summer interns or incoming residents!
Our focus is now shifting and narrowing, as we seek to create and elevate evidence around two of our research priorities: expedited approvals and health disparities. Both priorities reside within the research agenda pillar about utilizing real-world evidence (RWE) to inform managed care pharmacy decision-making. We will soon announce research questions with a call for proposals, and an invitation for collaborators and funding partners. Let me know if you want to get involved on the ground floor!
Thanks to the hard work of many advocates who are passionate about implementing the research agenda to enhance health. Special thanks to AMCP Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Diana Brixner from the University of Utah for spearheading our recent initiatives, and to the AMCP/Foundation Joint Research Committee for its continued guidance.
Gratefully and hopefully,
Paula J. Eichenbrenner, MBA, CAE
Executive Director, AMCP Foundation
P.S. As you navigate the AMCP 2021 virtual posters, you’ll see those that align with research agenda pillars are flagged accordingly. Prepare now to submit your research for AMCP Nexus 2021 — abstracts are due June 1!