Applied Policy was privileged to attend the 2024 Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) annual meeting from May 14-16, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland, fostering valuable connections within the industry. PQA, renowned as a premier national quality organization, is dedicated to advancing medication safety, adherence, and appropriate usage. With a broad membership encompassing pharmacies, health plans, healthcare providers, pharmacy benefit managers, and other stakeholders, PQA elevates medication practices and ensures the delivery of top-tier healthcare services.
The three-day event provided a platform for insightful discourse for over 500 industry stakeholders including healthcare executives and quality specialists from pharmacies, health plans, healthcare providers, pharmacy benefit managers, biopharmaceutical firms, technology providers, and governmental bodies.
Attendees engaged in enriching sessions and presentations that delved into key issues and emerging trends spanning medication quality, measure development and implementation, care transformation, and technological advancements. Notably, discussions shed light on recent policy developments affecting patient medication access, as well as the pharmacist’s pivotal role in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and mitigating health disparities.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: Impact on Medication Access and Affordability
Applied Policy’s own Alison Falb, J.D., Health Policy Director, shed light on the significant changes set to impact patient access to affordable medications during the session titled “Improving Medication Access and Affordability: The IRA and Medicare.” The discussion focused on the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) yearly out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug costs and the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, slated to take effect in 2025. Falb provided an in-depth analysis of these IRA provisions, offering invaluable insights into their far-reaching influences across different healthcare sectors.
The presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring distinguished experts in the field who offered their perspectives on the imminent changes from multiple perspectives, including those of patients, payers, pharmacies, and manufacturers. The additional panelists were Christopher Powers, PharmD, Cigna Insurance Company; Alexandra Broadus, PharmD, Walgreens; Margaret Davis, MHS, Pfizer; and Mariah Forster Olson, Patient Advocate.
The panelists considered the implications of the IRA’s provisions, shared perspectives on implementation challenges, and explored the potential for these changes to improve patient outcomes. Discussing the practical implications of the IRA, the panelists shed light on implementation challenges and deliberated on the potential for these changes to enhance patient outcomes.
For more detailed insights on the out-of-pocket cap and the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, refer to our comprehensive article here.
Pharmacy’s Role in Addressing Social Determinants of Health
One of the many informative sessions during PQA 2024 was “A Health System Specialty Pharmacy Team’s Role in Addressing Social Determinants of Health,” which highlighted the crucial impact of SDOH on patient outcomes. Led by Kristin M. Darin, PharmD, BCPS; Casey Fitzpatrick, PharmD, BCPS; and Shanece Green, PharmD, RPh, MSPH, MBA from CPS Solutions, LLC, presenters emphasized the essential role pharmacy teams play in identifying and addressing health inequities.
The presenters detailed a pilot program within a health system specialty pharmacy where standardized SDOH screening and referral processes were implemented. This initiative enabled pharmacists to identify patients with unmet social needs and refer them to outpatient social services and community partners.
The session provided strategies for operationalizing SDOH interventions, discussed potential challenges, and shared lessons learned from the initiative. It illustrated the essential contribution of pharmacy teams in enhancing health outcomes by addressing social determinants, offering valuable guidance for operationalizing these interventions in real-world settings.
Pharmacy’s Role in Health Equity and Heart Disease/Stroke Prevention
In an enlightening discussion, the significant role of pharmacists in addressing health disparities and preventing heart disease and stroke was thoroughly examined. Led by Nicole Therrien, PharmD, MPH, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the session titled “Pharmacy-based Strategies to Advance Health Equity in Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Translating Knowledge into Action” delved into the nuanced complexities of this critical healthcare domain.
Therrien’s analysis underscored the importance of evidence-based approaches in confronting the multifaceted challenges associated with cardiovascular health. Therrien provided a comprehensive exploration of interventions leveraging pharmacists’ expertise and community outreach to enhance patient care in this pivotal area.
Through rigorous examination of early evidence assessments and strategic policy interventions tailored to local health contexts, this session provided actionable insights to drive process in reducing health disparities and advance health equity in heart disease and stroke prevention initiatives across their communities.
Up Next: PQA 2025
PQA provided an invaluable forum for industry experts to engage in enlightening conversations regarding emerging trends in medication management and quality. Staying abreast of the dynamic terrain of pharmacy quality not only enriches our understanding but also empowers us to advocate effectively for the interests of our clients.
The forthcoming 2025 annual meeting, scheduled for May 19-21, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, offers another promising opportunity for industry stakeholders to convene, collaborate, and drive impactful change
