The high costs of prescription drugs is a sharp, ongoing pain point for businesses of all sizes. Vanderbilt Health is responding to the challenge with resources for employers, consultants and employees to help all be more informed patients and purchasers.
On March 23, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) hosted billionaire business owner and “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban for a discussion of how Cost Plus Drugs has dramatically lowered prescription drug prices since his online pharmacy company began in January 2022. In the 45-minute session moderated by Professor of Health Policy Stacie Dusetzina, PhD, and VUMC Urologic Oncology fellow Ruchika Talwar, MD, Cuban talked about how shrewd negotiations were introducing needed transparency into the pricing of drugs. A recording of the lively conversation is available at this link.
Another pharmacy-focused educational resource is the new season of the miniVHAN podcast. Five new episodes feature VHAN pharmacists and pharmacy health policy experts addressing issues that greatly affect employers, such as rising pharmacy costs, value-based care models and future trends. Listen on your lunch break by going to the new website at minivhanpodcast.com.