Pharmacy Times: Alternative funding programs affect our most vulnerable patient populations
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Throughout 2023, alternative funding programs (AFPs) have become a widely discussed topic among healthcare advocates and stakeholders. A key reason for that is these programs can have detrimental effects on vulnerable patient populations.
The rise and impact of AFPs is the topic of an article in Pharmacy Times, co-authored by PAN Foundation Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, Amy Niles, and Sarder Sadid, PharmD, the Associate Manager of Clinical Initiatives and Legislative Affairs at National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA).
It has been reported that the proportion of employers who used AFPs grew from 6% in 2021 to 14% in 2022. With an AFP in place, employers may lower their costs by excluding coverage of specialty medications, but in doing so, are preventing access to needed medications by their employees. There are a number of other major concerns and issues that arise from AFPs.
While we seek potential regulatory and/or legislative action to ban AFPs, in the meantime, significant education is needed for patients, healthcare providers, and employers.