Milestones in managed care pharmacy

Managed care pharmacy has a relatively short history, but one that is defined by significant achievements. Since the late 1960s, managed care pharmacists have applied their unique skills to formulary management, clinical programs, benefit design, and contract negotiations to support patient access to life-saving therapies, while also ensuring cost-effective use of limited health care resources. Key milestones include establishing the pharmacy benefit as an essential component of the U.S. health care system, launching the Medicare Part D program, and expanding medication therapy management services. The year 2020 brings another milestone—the 25th anniversary of AMCP’s flagship publication, the Journal of Managed Care + Specialty Pharmacy. This year also serves as an inflection point. As managed care pharmacy professionals prepare for change and the challenges ahead—including the imperative to address the rising costs of health care and health disparities—the use of evidence, utilization management strategies, and innovation will support our continued success.