Specialty treatments continue to grow as a portion of pharmacy spend. They now account for more than half of pharmacy spend — 52 percent in 2020 — and are concentrated in relatively few therapeutic categories. Specialty trend has continued to remain high over recent years, but that spend is now largely driven by members new to treatment. Utilization is now the main driver of specialty drug trend as we have successfully implemented approaches to mitigate manufacturer driven price inflation.
Drug Trend Report 2020: New drugs and new indications drive specialty
Explore more from our 2020 Drug Trend Report
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CVS Caremark 2020 Drug Trend Report
CVS Caremark 2020 Drug Trend Report
CVS Caremark 2020 Drug Trend Report
CVS Caremark 2020 Drug Trend Report
In a challenging year, we adapted our business to meet client and member needs while staying focused on our primary goal – helping clients effectively manage their pharmacy spend.Report - April 29, 2021 -
Using analytics to guide pandemic preparedness and support
Using analytics to guide pandemic preparedness and support
Using analytics to guide pandemic preparedness and support
Using analytics to guide pandemic preparedness and support
Preventing disruption within the pharmacy supply chain was a responsibility that we took very seriously last year.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Tracking utilization during a period of foregone care
Tracking utilization during a period of foregone care
Tracking utilization during a period of foregone care
Tracking utilization during a period of foregone care
Routine and preventive care plummeted, making people less likely to start prescription drug therapy.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Addressing historic health inequities
Addressing historic health inequities
Addressing historic health inequities
Addressing historic health inequities
2020 forced a long-overdue reckoning on the factors that have historically created inferior health outcomes in communities of color.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Keeping drug costs manageableWe maintained our focus on client costs by driving to lowest net cost and appropriate utilization, delivering results.Article - April 30, 2021 -
New drugs and new indications drive specialty
New drugs and new indications drive specialty
New drugs and new indications drive specialty
New drugs and new indications drive specialty
Specialty treatments, driven by utilization, are now the largest portion of pharmacy spend.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Keeping specialty spend in checkEective management strategies helped keep costs in check for tightly managed clients.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Connectivity as a lever to reduce waste, lower costs
Connectivity as a lever to reduce waste, lower costs
Connectivity as a lever to reduce waste, lower costs
Connectivity as a lever to reduce waste, lower costs
Our investments in connectivity helped maintain member engagement, leading to cost savings for clients.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Tackling hyperinflationRoutine and preventive care plummeted, making people less likely to start prescription drug therapy.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Reducing out-of-pocket costs, a typical barrier to adherence
Reducing out-of-pocket costs, a typical barrier to adherence
Reducing out-of-pocket costs, a typical barrier to adherence
Reducing out-of-pocket costs, a typical barrier to adherence
We kept drugs affordable for members – out of pocket costs declined for sixth straight year.Article - April 30, 2021 -
Staying ahead of the evolving pharmacy landscape
Staying ahead of the evolving pharmacy landscape
Staying ahead of the evolving pharmacy landscape
Staying ahead of the evolving pharmacy landscape
Marketplace trends will require a new — and focused — way of delivering service to our clients.Article - April 30, 2021