Pharmland

GLP-1 utilization continues to balloon. With their demonstrated strong performance in treating conditions such as diabetes and certain cardiovascular risks, as well as their potential for lifestyle-related weight loss, the market for GLP-1s has truly skyrocketed, growing from a $46.7 billion market in 2024 to a mind-boggling projected $471 billion market by 2032. And these “hot” drugs are only getting hotter. Not only are direct-to-consumer advertising, celebrity promotion, and social media continuing to influence demand, but GLP-1s are also being explored to help solve a growing plethora of healthcare needs. On the horizon? New approvals for additional indications, new pathways of action, and GLP-1s as part of combination therapies. In other words, GLP-1s will remain buzzworthy for a long time to come – and given their price tags, employers need to be prepared. This episode will explore what employers need to know about the GLP-1 trend and what they can do to stay ahead of emerging trends and potential impacts of this already significant trend driver.    Hosts:   Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services    Tom Davies, PharmD, Medicaid Pharmacy Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services; Former Vice President, Clinical Products at RxBenefits

Hidden fees. Spread pricing. Rebate retention. The fine print in pharmacy benefits contracts can quietly drive costs higher for employers and employees alike. In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Senior Director and Managing Counsel Wes Hill to break down the opaque practices that can keep pharmacy benefits costs high and clarity low – and make the case for how true transparency can protect budgets and improve member outcomes.  Hosts:  Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services   Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products   Guest:  Wes Hill, Sr. Director, Managing Counsel, Regulatory & Intellectual Property 

Explore the evolving landscape of state pharmacy regulations in the latest episode of Pharmland. Lawmakers’ stated goals for the more than 1,400 state bills under consideration are to boost transparency in pharmacy benefits, reduce costs, and support independent pharmacies. However, they also have the potential to introduce significant challenges for plan sponsors and patients, including higher pharmacy spend from PBMs passing on incremental costs and a fragmented regulatory environment. Listen in to understand how these state-level changes could impact patient benefits and the complexities facing employers across the country.    Hosts:   Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services , RxBenefits   Tom Davies,  PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products , RxBenefits    Guest:  Wes Hill, Sr. Director, Managing Counsel, Regulatory & Intellectual Property, RxBenefits 

Join Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies for the latest episode of Pharmland as they tackle the $471 billion question – what’s driving the GLP-1 craze in 2025? From new approvals for chronic kidney disease and certain cardiovascular conditions to potential further expanded indications for conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Alzheimer’s, learn how these revolutionary drugs are reshaping the pharmaceutical market, what they mean for the future of innovation, and the potential impact on plan sponsors and patients. 

In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies explore the long and often arduous journey of drug development – from early clinical trials to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and beyond. Learn more about how pharmaceutical companies decide which drugs to pursue, why only 10% of potential therapeutic agents make it to market as a new drug, and how that impacts the price of a drug and therefore, pharmacy plans. Plus, Bradley and Tom explore the history of FDA regulations, the complexities of clinical trials, and the controversial strategies manufacturers use to extend patents, delay generics, and protect market dominance – all of which shape today’s pharmaceutical landscape. Hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products  

What factors impact a patient’s cost at the pharmacy counter?   In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies dive into the complex world of the out-of-pocket cost a patient pays at the pharmacy and explore the forces that contribute to medication costs – from high-deductible health plans to formulary tiers, rebates, and PBM negotiations – and can lead to some major shock at the price tag. Listen as Bradley and Tom explain why more patients are facing tough decisions at checkout – and what can be done to help them make informed choices.   Hosts:   Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services   Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products   

“Where do different pharmacy pricing points fit in the life cycle of prescription drugs?” In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies examine the intricacies of drug pricing. They break down how pricing evolves through the supply chain – from the manufacturer to the pharmacy – and explain key terms like Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC), and Average Wholesale Price (AWP). Gain a clearer understanding of how these costs influence drug costs and impact your pharmacy benefits strategy. Hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services  Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products 

“What are some good questions to ask HR benefits managers to help determine the most important goals for their pharmacy plans?” In this episode of Pharmland, RxBenefits Clinical Pharmacist Specialist McKenzie Rice joins co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies to discuss how to evaluate what to consider when developing a pharmacy plan including the pharmacy benefit landscape, potential member impact from pharmacy plan changes, and how geography or industry can influence usage trends for high-cost medications like GLP1s. The conversation highlights details how to balance what is important to your organization and employees with cost containment strategies   Guest: McKenzie Rice, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist Specialist   Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

“Why are biosimilars taking so long to catch on?”   In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Clinical Services Principal Advisor about a hot topic within the pharmacy industry: biosimilars. The experts explore biosimilars and their  role in the pharmacy landscape, including how they can help mitigate skyrocketing specialty drug costs and why there hasn’t been an uptick in usage the way many experts expected. Tune in as they discuss what exactly a biosimilar is, as well as what the future holds for them and their place in the market.   Guest: Ruth Opdycke, PharmD, Principal Advisor, Clinical Services Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products  

S01 E04: Prior Authorizations: Are They Evil or Good? “What’s the reason behind a prior authorization?” In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Clinical Operations Manager Lindsay Miller about the intricate world of prior authorizations. They explore the complexities and challenges surrounding this critical process in healthcare, highlighting its impact on patients, providers, and payers alike. Tune in as they discuss strategies for streamlining prior authorization procedures, the balance between cost control and patient access, and the future of this pivotal aspect of pharmacy benefits management. Guest: Lindsay Miller ,PharmD, Manager, Clinical Pharmacists   Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

GLP Indication #1 : Balancing guidelines and individualized treatment “Should physicians rigidly adhere to treatment guidelines or prioritize accommodating patient preferences?” Join hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies, alongside RxBenefits clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle, PharmD, as they discuss balancing GLP-1 treatment guidelines with individualized patient care, particularly for those with comorbidities, as well as the evolution of GLP-1s and their impact. In this episode, the team explores how GLP-1 medications have transformed diabetes treatment over the past decade, including offering patients more convenient dosing options. They discuss practical strategies for plan sponsors to support medication adherence and lifestyle changes in support of disease management. And tackle an important issue that can result from class popularity – drug shortages. Guest: Langley Kyle, PharmD, Director, Clinical Services Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

S01 E01: Oh, Oh...Overpromise? The Truth Beyond the GLP-1 Trend “What’s really driving the interest around the phenomenon that we currently label as GLP-1s?” In this episode of Pharmland, hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies dive deep into the world of GLP-1 medications for  weight loss alongside RxBenefits clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle, PharmD. They tackle pressing questions surrounding the surge in GLP-1 utilization, from the impact of direct-to-consumer marketing and celebrity endorsements to concerns about sustainability and potential side effects. Join them as they unravel the complexities of this pharmaceutical phenomenon and explore whether the promises made by these medications truly stand up to scrutiny. Guest: Langley Kyle, PharmD, Director, Clinical Services   Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

S01 E01: Wait… Weight, What? Getting the Skinny on GLP-1s for Weight Management   “Why is weight-loss achievement the holy grail of drug development?” In the premiere episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle, PharmD, about the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight-loss purposes — and discuss society’s changing attitudes toward obesity. As the healthcare industry comes to recognize obesity as a treatable health condition rather than a personal failing, plan sponsors find themselves examining their position on covering weight-loss medications as a class. And as GLP-1s originally indicated for type 2 diabetes are increasingly used for weight-management purposes, that decision — to cover, or not to cover? — becomes increasingly pricey.   Guest: Langley Kyle, PharmD, Director, Clinical Services   Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products