pLOG

2024-02-16

The Big Transformation in the Pharmaceutical Industry: How PSP is Changing the Game Rules

The pharmaceutical industry in the United States is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, shifting from being traditional providers of therapeutic drugs to becoming trusted advisors for patients today. At the core of this transformation lies Patient Support Programs (PSP), and how they have changed the global landscape of pharmaceutical services will be the focus of this article.

Patient demands and expectations are continually rising. According to Deloitte's research, as pharmaceutical companies transition roles, patients' needs and expectations for support have also increased. This indicates that patients are no longer mere recipients of prescriptions; they expect comprehensive support, from drug information to the practical application of treatment. However, Phreesia's research indicates relatively low awareness and participation rates among patients in PSPs, with only 8% of patients having used these support programs, highlighting the need for change.

Adherence to treatment plans has always been a challenge. According to IQVIA's report, as many as 30% to 61% of patients fail to adhere to their treatment plans, significantly impacting disease management. Especially in chronic therapy areas, pharmaceutical companies are actively adopting PSPs to improve patient treatment outcomes and care. This demonstrates that PSPs can help patients better understand and adhere to treatment plans, thereby improving their quality of life.

Pharmaceutical companies not only need to meet patient needs but also consider the needs of healthcare providers (physicians). According to Bain.com's survey, 53% of physicians believe that pharmaceutical companies need to provide more targeted patient support programs to increase interaction value with them. Especially in the field of specialty drug therapy, integrating intermediary services poses a major challenge, requiring pharmaceutical companies to provide specific support services to meet different needs under various medication and clinical scenarios.

First and foremost, it requires a team full of empathy. This team not only needs to possess professional knowledge but also understand the needs and feelings of patients. Their role goes beyond traditional support; they become partners whom patients can rely on.

Secondly, efficiency and streamlined processes are crucial. This includes patient plan registration, information verification, and prior authorizations. Processes must undergo efficient compliance verification to ensure quality and provide seamless support to ensure rapid fulfillment of patient needs.

Lastly, enhancing accurate and compliant technology is indispensable. This necessitates digital support services, including integrating healthcare providers and caregivers, as well as providing documents and authorizations. Digital certification tools and automated systems can accelerate administrative processes, providing more convenient services.

However, the key to success is not just about building and maintaining a brand, establishing trust between patients and providers, but much more. This includes creative problem-solving abilities and diverse communication skills. The interactive service experience of patients, physicians, caregivers, or PSP managers must provide valuable experiences for patients while possessing empathetic listening skills to achieve individual interactions and increase satisfaction.

Establishing an integrated database is one of the keys, which can obtain information from the patient's perspective to avoid information errors and duplication. These databases not only provide the basis for reliable reporting but also enable more in-depth statistics and analysis. Through multi-dimensional integrated analysis perspectives, we can better utilize data, accelerate business decisions for individual data informed management, directly impacting patient and healthcare provider treatment outcomes.

Patient Support Programs (PSPs) in specialty drug areas are evolving to meet complex treatment needs. Successful integrated service plans for PSPs must have empathetic teams, streamlined processes, efficient technology, and innovative communication, while also establishing reliable databases to achieve better patient treatment outcomes. This is not only a challenge but also an opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to better support patients' health and well-being.

 

President of PATIENTSFORCE , Sean Chang

sean.chang@media-wind.com.tw


Reference:


  1. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/life-sciences-and-health-care/articles/improving-patient-support-programs-in-healthcare.html 
  2. https://www.iqvia.com/locations/belgium/newsroom/2021/03/measuring-the-impact-of-a-patient-support-program 
  3. https://www.bain.com/insights/a-prescription-for-the-customer-centric-commercial-model-in-pharma/