Unscripted - The AMCP Podcast

In today’s episode, guest host Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL, Vice President of Pharmacy at Emory University and Emory Health Plan, Winship Cancer Institute, discusses the real-world impact of non-medical switching in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with Timothy Mok, Manager of Clinical Utilization Intelligence at Kaiser Permanente and board-certified oncology pharmacist, focusing on the drivers behind switching, the risks of disrupting effective therapy, and how shared decision-making and dose modification can help maintain adherence and improve patient outcomes. Sponsored by Abbvie.

In this episode of Unscripted, guest host Steve Kheloussi, Principal Consultant with Kheloussi Consulting, sits down with Dr. John Fox, Senior Medical Director for the Americas at Illumina, to untangle the complexities of clinical utility. Drawing on his experience as a pediatrician and former health plan medical director, Dr. Fox explains why defining clinical utility remains a challenge for the industry and explores its critical role in precision medicine. From ending the "diagnostic odyssey" in pediatric rare diseases to the life-saving impact of large-panel biomarker testing in oncology, they discuss how the true value of a test lies in its power to change patient management and improve net health outcomes.

What’s driving vaccine hesitancy—and what’s actually true? In this episode of Unscripted, the AMCP Podcast, guest host Steve Kheloussi, PharmD, MBA, FAMCP speaks with Ria Westergaard, Head of Commercial Strategy Intelligence Solutions at Evernorth Health Services, and Rekha Lakshmanan, Executive Director of The Immunization Partnership, about the growing tension between science, policy, and public perception. From misinformation and social media to access gaps and real-world data, they unpack what’s really shaping vaccination decisions today—and where managed care can help rebuild trust and improve outcomes.

What happens when a diagnosis is delayed—not because symptoms aren’t there, but because they don’t fit expectations? In this episode of Unscripted, guest host Steve Kheloussi, PharmD, MBA, FAMCP, speaks with Blair and Dallas Burleson about delayed MS diagnosis, the realities of living with an unpredictable disease, and the impact on caregivers. The conversation also examines where managed care can better support patients—through more flexible, individualized access to treatment and a clearer understanding of real-world patient needs.

In this episode of Unscripted, the AMCP podcast, host Laura Bobolts, PharmD, BCOP, talks with Kirollos Hanna, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology, about the rapidly shifting treatment landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The discussion covers the transition toward oral fixed-duration frontline regimens, the latest 2026 NCCN guidelines, and the emerging role of MRD testing. They also explore the clinical and economic implications of these therapies, including how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reshaping Medicare formulary strategies and patient access.

In this episode of Unscripted, the AMCP podcast, we talk with Jeffrey Dunn, PharmD, MBA, President and CEO of Cooperative Benefits Group, about the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for HER2-positive biliary tract cancer (BTC) and its implications for managed care. The discussion covers the importance of biomarker testing and molecular profiling in guiding targeted therapy, key NCCN guideline considerations across lines of treatment, and the clinical and economic impact of timely access to HER2-directed therapies. We also discuss payer-provider collaboration strategies to improve testing, coverage alignment, and patient access in this rare and aggressive form of cancer.

In this episode, we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the AMCP Foundation. AMCP President Carly Rodriguez, PharmD, FAMCP joins guest host Jordan Bernard, AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Intern and Rebecca Brown, AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Intern to discuss how the Foundation’s internships and mentorship programs shape the future of managed care. We explore the transition from student to leader, the impact of hands-on research, and Carly’s advice for the next generation of pharmacy innovators.

In this last installment of our rare disease series, we speak with Angela Luong, PharmD, Senior Clinical Consultant at Pharmaceutical Strategies Group. Our discussion focuses on the burden of sickle cell disease, chronic pain management, limited treatment options, and the implications for managed care programs, including the use of data and care coordination to improve patient outcomes. This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AMCP offers CPE for this podcast through December 31, 2026. For additional information and to claim credit, please visit: The Power of Partnership: Bridging Patients and Payers in Sickle Cell Disease Management  

In this episode of Unscripted, we continue our rare disease series with a focus on hemophilia and the substantial clinical, financial, and psychosocial burdens it places on patients and families. We speak with Janna Evans, Director of Pharmacy Sales Support at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, who discusses how health plans manage high-cost therapies, balance individualized patient needs with access requirements, and navigate prior authorization and step-therapy processes. She also highlights the need for better patient-reported outcomes, the day-to-day impact of the disease, and the broader considerations for employers and caregivers within managed care. This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Genentech Inc., and Pfizer Inc. AMCP offers CPE for this podcast through December 31, 2026. For additional information and to claim credit, please visit: The Power of Partnership: Bridging Patients and Payers in Hemophilia Management.   

This episode continues AMCP’s rare disease series with an in-depth look at IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a progressive autoimmune kidney disease that often goes undiagnosed until advanced stages. We speak with Ami Gopalan, Senior Vice President of Strategic Content and Growth Optimization at Precision AQ. As a patient living with IgAN, Ami brings both a professional and personal perspective to the discussion as we explore the disease’s silent progression, the burden it places on patients and families, the evolving treatment landscape, and how managed care can better incorporate patient value, clinical guidelines, and emerging evidence to support long-term outcomes. This podcast is supported by an independent medical education grant from Alexion and AstraZeneca Rare Disease. AMCP offers CPE for this podcast through December 31, 2026. For additional information and to claim credit, please visit: The Power of Partnership: Bridging Patients and Payers in IgA Nephropathy Management.

In this episode of Unscripted, we speak with Steve Kheloussi, PharmD, MBA, FAMCP, Principal Consultant at Kheloussi Consulting, LLC, in the first installment of our four-part series on rare diseases. We discuss a practical overview of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the current treatment landscape, and the evidence gaps that complicate payer decision-making. We also touch on the importance of what patients and caregivers need to maintain function, reduce fatigue, and navigate the significant emotional and practical burdens of care. This podcast is supported by an independent medical education grant from ITF Therapeutics. AMCP offers CPE for this podcast through December 31, 2026. For additional information and to claim credit, please visit:  The Power of Partnership: Bridging Patients and Payers in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Management.

In this episode of Unscripted, AMCP explores vitiligo as a complex autoimmune disease with significant psychosocial and clinical implications. Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, FADD discusses the burden of delayed diagnosis, the societal and emotional challenges patients face, and the importance of early, individualized treatment. He outlines current therapeutic approaches—including topical agents, phototherapy, systemic options, and surgical interventions—and highlights the condition’s associations with other autoimmune diseases. The conversation underscores how education, support, and emerging medical advances are reshaping outcomes and quality of life for people living with vitiligo.

In this episode of Unscripted, AMCP speaks with Sheena Crosby, PharmD, BCGP, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Pharmacist at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. Sheena breaks down the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) updated guidelines for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, highlighting major shifts in treatment strategy, including the move toward earlier use of advanced therapies and updated goals focused on symptom control, mucosal healing, and sustained remission. She also outlines the critical payer considerations emphasized in the guidelines—from eliminating unnecessary step-therapy requirements to ensuring timely access to induction and maintenance therapy—changes that have direct implications for patient outcomes and health-system performance.

In this episode of Unscripted, we talk with Marty Acevedo, MS, RD, Patient Advocate and President & Board Chair of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego. Marty shares her personal journey with Parkinson’s disease—from a delayed diagnosis to managing symptoms, treatment decisions, and the impact on daily life. She discusses the importance of individualized care, the essential role of caregivers, and the value of evidence-based resources. Marty also highlights her involvement in the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) research study and offers perspective on emerging advances and potential disease-modifying therapies that may shape the future of Parkinson’s care.

In this episode of Unscripted, we speak with Dr. Kartik Kalra, Clinical Nephrologist at Geisinger Medical Center. We discuss IgA nephropathy and the newly released, comprehensive 2025 KDIGO guidelines. We explore what IgAN is, why diagnosis is often delayed, how it commonly presents, and the impact the disease can have over a patient’s lifetime. Dr. Kalra also discusses what prompted the latest guideline revision, how thinking around IgAN has evolved, and what these changes signal for clinicians, health systems, and the managed care community. This podcast is supported by an independent medical education grant from Calliditas Therapeutics. AMCP offers CPE for this podcast through December 31, 2026. For additional information and to claim credit, please use the instructions provided here: AMCP Learn - claim CPE instructions

Personalized medicine has moved from concept to proven science—but implementation lags behind. In this episode of Unscripted, Daryl Pritchard, Senior Vice President of Science Policy at the Personalized Medicine Coalition, discusses how precision medicine is transforming care and where critical gaps remain. He shares findings from recent studies showing how many patients are still lost along the testing-to-treatment pathway, even in well-established areas like lung cancer, and explains what’s needed to bridge those gaps. The conversation highlights the role of payers, providers, and policymakers in aligning science, practice, and policy to deliver truly individualized care.

Precision medicine is reshaping oncology, yet gaps in testing, coverage, and care delivery still prevent many patients from receiving the right therapy at the right time. In this episode of Unscripted, AMCP’s Mitzi Wasik and Chief Science Officer Cate Lockhart discuss where fragmentation occurs across the health care system and why pharmacists, payers, providers, and pathologists all play a critical role in fixing it. They unpack challenges around guideline alignment, defining clinical utility, and payer decision-making, while also highlighting the growing momentum: stronger cross-sector collaboration, expanding education efforts, and new tools designed to bring more consistency, equity, and evidence-based access to precision oncology.

In this episode, we talk with Franck Rahaghi, MD, MHS, Executive Director of Cardiopulmonary Global Medical Affairs at United Therapeutics, about pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD), a serious and often under-recognized condition at the intersection of two progressive diseases. We discuss the importance of early recognition, the role of multidisciplinary care, emerging treatment options, and what patients, clinicians, and payers should know to improve outcomes.

In this episode, we talk with Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH, Vice Chair of Clinical Trials and Innovation, Brigham & Women's Hospital Department of Dermatology. Dr. Mostaghimi discusses alopecia areata—an autoimmune disease that causes patchy or complete hair loss—its inflammatory basis, how severity is measured, and the profound psychosocial impacts on patients and families. He also reviews the latest FDA-approved therapies, evolving treatment guidelines, and what patients, clinicians, and payers should know as new options reshape care.

In this milestone episode of Unscripted, the AMCP Podcast, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP). Host Susan Cantrell, AMCP CEO, is joined by Laura Happe, PharmD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief of JMCP, and Pat Gleason, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, FAMCP, Assistant Vice President, Health Outcomes at Prime Therapeutics to reflect on the journal’s evolution from its 1995 launch to today’s leading voice in managed care pharmacy. Highlights include JMCP’s role in shaping policy, advancing research, and tackling pressing issues such as drug pricing, equity, and access—while looking ahead to the future of pharmacy innovation and collaboration.

In this episode, we talk with Aaron Crittenden, President of Rx Marketplace at GoodRx, about Community Link, a new program from GoodRx that empowers independent pharmacies through direct contracting, predictable pricing, and access to over 90 brand medication deals. Aaron explains how Community Link helps pharmacies stay competitive, provide affordable prescriptions for patients, and build more sustainable economics in today’s challenging marketplace. Learn more: https://www.goodrx.com/community-link?utm_medium=pr&utm_source=amcppodcast&utm_campaign=article+community+link&c=amcppodcast

In this episode of Unscripted, AMCP speaks with Dr. Harrison Nguyen, a double board-certified dermatologist and health economist, about the true scope of psoriasis. From overlooked symptoms and high-impact areas to the systemic nature of the disease, Dr. Nguyen explains why a personalized treatment strategy is essential. He also explores the economic case for early intervention and access to advanced therapies.

Tonja Johnson—founder of the Beautifully Unblemished Vitiligo Support Group—shares her personal journey with vitiligo, from diagnosis and frustration to advocacy and empowerment. In recognition of World Vitiligo Day, this conversation explores the physical, emotional, and social challenges of living with the condition, the ongoing stigma and mental health impact, and the urgent need for health plans to treat vitiligo as more than cosmetic. This episode highlights how community, awareness, and managed care can come together to improve the lives of those affected.

Today we discuss part three of our three-part podcast, a new, non-pharmacological treatment for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation with Dr. Christine Frissora, Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at NY Presbyterian Cornell University Medical Center, and Dr. Ken Schaecher, Chief Medical Officer emeritus at University of Utah Health Plans, Chief Medical Officer at a regional health plan, and practicing general internal medicine specialist.

Today we discuss part two of our three-part podcast, a new, non-pharmacological treatment for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation with Dr. Christine Frissora, Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at NY Presbyterian Cornell University Medical Center, and Dr. Ken Schaecher, Chief Medical Officer emeritus at University of Utah Health Plans, Chief Medical Officer at a regional health plan, and practicing general internal medicine specialist.

Join us on this episode of Unscripted, the AMCP Podcast, as we explore the emerging role of artificial intelligence in managed care pharmacy. Our guest, Joe Honcz, RPh, MVA, MBA and Senior Vice President of Market Access at Petauri, shares insights from his time at Aetna’s Innovation Lab through to today’s cutting-edge applications—from AI-powered health concierges to streamlined prior authorizations and precision drug discovery. Discover how AI is transforming efficiency, patient empowerment, and the future of pharmacy practice.

Today we discuss a new, non-pharmacological treatment for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation with Dr. Christine Frissora, Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, at The NY Presbyterian Cornell University Medical Center and Dr. Ken Schaecher, Chief Medical Officer emeritus, University of Utah Health Plans and Chief Medical Officer at a regional health plan and practicing general internal medicine specialist.

In this episode of Unscripted, the AMCP Podcast, we welcome Casey Koch, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator at Select Health. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the latest treatment advancements, guideline updates, and the role of managed care pharmacy in optimizing patient outcomes. From biologics to biosimilars, personalized medicine, and health disparities, we dive deep into the complexities of IBD management and what the future holds for patients and providers alike.

AMCP Unscripted discusses upcoming Cabinet confirmations, drug policy, biosimilars, 340B, and more with Andrew McKechnie from the Tiber Creek Group, Adam Colborn from AMCP, and Geni Tunstall from AMCP.