Content area
Abstract
According to an IMS Health report issued in 2000, more than 1,000 cancer treatments are in development, mostly (89%) biotechnology drugs, asserts Elan Rubinstein, a pharmacist and independent consultant with Oak Park, Cal.-based EB Rubinstein Associates. Since 1998, cancer drugs represent an increasing share of spending for clinic and mail order drugs; spending for biotech drugs nearly doubled from 1998 to 1999, and increased by 26% in 2000, he noted. These types of drugs usually are dispensed through specialty pharmacies. Anticipating the growing relevance of specialty pharmacy, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are developing alliances with or starting their own such pharmacies, Rubinstein remarked. Recent alliances include MerckMedco Managed Care with CVS Procare, AdvancePCS with Priority Healthcare JV and its acquisition of TheraCon, and Express Scripts' founding of Specialty Distribution Services in 1998.