This post might feel more like wandering than writing. Please forgive me. Sometimes writing happens that way. You aren’t sure where to start, what to say, or how to finish. You just start clicking. But rambling reflections on life are a part of my whole re-imagined Honest Apothecary blog. Who says that every post must have a point? Not all that is random should be rejected out of hand. In the wise words shared by Gandalf, remember, “not all who wander are lost.”
Tonight I met a friend after work, we’ll call him Bill. He works within the pharmaceutical industry profession and knows the ins and outs of Pharma really well. He is currently responsible for his company’s oncology portfolio, which means we have a fair number of things in common.
I enjoy talking about the challenges and opportunities related to the distribution of specialty oral oncolytics. At the end of the day we just want to help streamline the process for patients, as well as for the whole team that is committed to their care. And that isn’t easy. Putting together a program to ensure patients get the best possible care takes an incredible amount of coordination.
It takes teamwork.
When most people think “teamwork” they immediately focus on those who work with you in your immediate circle, such as our pharmacists, technicians, admins, and leadership. Maybe you also include, as you should, the great doctors, nurses, and other care providers in your thinking about your “team.” And maybe you even go so far, as you should, to include the IT support, contracting support, and HR departments in your organization. They are all on your team!
But teamwork is bigger than that! I see my team as stretching up and out to EVERYONE whose work or company can ultimately impact the care we give our patients.
For example, I consider “Pharma” to be part of our team. As such, maintaining close contact with those companies that are discovering, developing, and distributing treatments for our patients is important to me. Hence, a little shop-talk after work helps to ensure our strategies are clear and aligned.
We also depend on a number of vendors too. They are on our team. We meet regularly with representatives of all our significant technologies within the pharmacy to be sure we are leveraging these tools to maximize their positive impact on our operations.
Bill and I talked about the financial challenges of specialty pharmacy in the modern PBM-run payment model of DIR fees, clawbacks, discount cards, and negative reimbursements.
We didn’t only talk shop. We actually spent a fair amount of time just talking about life, family, and general career thoughts. He has 4 kids, just like me. Mine are all quite a bit older. His oldest is 15. My youngest is 21. He was leaving our meeting to pick up one of his children from soccer practice. I would leave and go to the gym. Different chapters in life.
I learned a bit more about how networks like the US Oncology Network and American Oncology Network operate. These are fascinating business models and I can see how they help smaller community oncology practices partner with others for more coordinated and successful patient care.
All told we chatted for maybe 45 minutes. Not long. But long enough to have some meaningful conversation about home, hobbies, and careers. As we parted ways, him to the soccer field and me to the gym, I found myself feeling grateful for the opportunity to do the work I do.
And also, unlike this post, I knew exactly where I was going next.
