Healthcare Matters Global Healthy Living Foundation

Join Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc for a special live episode from the World Vaccine Congress in Washington, DC, where they delve into the latest developments in vaccine policy and economic research. This episode spotlights the congress's role as a vital hub for collaboration and innovation in the vaccine industry. Tune in to get an insider's view of the pivotal conversations shaping the future of vaccines.

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Healthcare Matters, Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc take a deep dive into GHLF’s latest vaccine study with guests Dr. Wayne Winegarden, Senior Fellow in Business and Economics at the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) and Director of PRI's Center for Medical Economics and Innovation, and Esteban Rivera, Associate Director of Data Science and Economics at GHLF.

Together, they delve into the study, which underscores the pivotal role pharmacists play in vaccination efforts and the urgent need for regulatory reform. They discuss how pharmacies enhance vaccine access and affordability, especially in marginalized communities, the challenges posed by regulatory barriers, and suggest ways to reform these barriers to improve vaccination rates.

Tune in to explore how pharmacies can play a pivotal role in public health through streamlined vaccination processes.

Among the highlights in this episode:

03:04: Dr. Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, discusses a statistic by the Center for Disease Control that nearly 60% of all flu vaccines were administered in pharmacies in the latest flu season, emphasizing the significant role pharmacists play in combating preventable diseases

03:53: Dr. Popovian explains the reasons behind GHLF’s new report on pharmacy-administered vaccinations, including previous findings on access in low-income communities and the preference for pharmacy vaccinations post-pandemic

06:18: Dr. Winegarden discusses the study's groundbreaking findings, particularly the complex and burdensome state regulations around vaccinations and their health and economic implications

09:10: Esteban Rivera elaborates on the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating patients at pharmacies compared to physician offices and highlights the equitable benefits of increased vaccine accessibility at pharmacies

10:24: Dr. Winegarden provides an example of the RSV vaccine to illustrate specific cost savings and health impacts of pharmacy versus physician office vaccinations

13:27: Esteban Rivera discusses the complexity of regulatory pathways for vaccination, emphasizing the need for simplification to reduce costs and improve accessibility

14:26: Dr. Popovian gives examples of states that have either streamlined or erected barriers for pharmacist immunization, particularly highlighting the negative impact on underserved communities in New York

16:16: Dr. Popovian advocates for state-level regulatory reform to grant pharmacists the same authority to immunize as physicians, stressing the importance of accessibility and convenience for patients 

18:24: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

To access the full report, go to: https://ghlf.org/removing_barriers_to_pharmacy_vaccination/

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Healthcare Matters, our hosts dive into the impact of pharmacy reimbursement on vaccination rates with guest Vibhu Tewary, researcher and

Project Director at IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. Through discussing a recent study, they reveal how a modest increase in reimbursement can lead to higher flu vaccination rates among Medicaid-covered adults. The episode also touches on the role of pharmacies in public health, the need for policy reform to enhance vaccine accessibility, and the potential for future research to further improve public health outcomes.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:50: Vibhu shares his background in public health and policy, emphasizing his commitment to impactful research for patient access and health care improvements 

04:21: Vibhu discusses the key findings from a 2023 paper that highlighted pharmacies as major vaccination sites, with over 90% of COVID-19 vaccinations for adults provided through pharmacies in 2021 and 2022

06:24: Dr. Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, discusses the need to harmonize state laws to allow pharmacists to immunize more adults, addressing the disparities in pharmacy access and emphasizing the cost effectiveness of pharmacy-administered vaccinations

08:36: Dr. Popovian and Vibhu delve into the recent report co-authored by GHLF and IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science that establishes a direct link between increased pharmacy reimbursement rates and higher flu vaccination rates among Medicaid-covered adults 

You can find the full report at https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports-and-publications/reports/trends-in-adult-vaccination-in-the-us

10:24: Vibhu outlines the methodology and key findings of the study, demonstrating that a $13 increase in reimbursement could lead to a six-percentage point increase in vaccination rates, consistent across gender and race

13:50: Dr. Popovian suggests aligning Medicaid reimbursement rates for vaccinations with those of Medicare to address disparities in vaccination access among underserved populations

15:28: Dr. Popovian and Vibhu discuss potential areas for future research, including the role of pharmacists in vaccine distribution, patient awareness, and addressing health equity in adult vaccination

18:17: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Robert Popovian and Conner Mertens dive into the problematic practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that prioritize profits over patient access to affordable medications. Focusing on the case of a generic asthma medication offered at a discount yet overlooked by PBMs, the hosts explore the deep-seated issues of misaligned incentives in health care. They also discuss innovative solutions to bypass the traditional pharmaceutical distribution system, aiming to enhance patient access and affordability.

Join our hosts as they explore the complexities of health care economics and the path towards a more equitable system.

Among the highlights in this episode:

02:21: Our hosts discuss the problematic practices of PBMs, such as refusing to cover cheaper, generic medications for profit motives

03:08: Dr. Popovian explains how rebate systems influence PBMs to prefer higher-priced brand-name drugs over generics, leading to misaligned incentives that do not favor cost savings for patients or employers

04:36: Our hosts touch upon how PBMs exclude drugs from formularies, not for efficacy reasons but for profit, impacting patient access and savings negatively

05:49: Dr. Popovian speaks on the potential benefits of pharmaceutical companies selling directly to consumers, bypassing PBMs and insurers, and how it could save patients money and increase access

10:01: Our hosts discuss how direct-to-consumer sales, and other models like direct sales to health providers or employers, could challenge the current pharmaceutical distribution system dominated by PBMs

13:09: Dr. Popovian and Conner discuss the importance of seeking ways to make health care more accessible and affordable

14:27: Conner shares his thanks and reflections as he says goodbye to the series

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs & Special Projects at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join our hosts as they explore the substantial impact of COVID-19 vaccines. They discuss a groundbreaking study by the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) revealing how rapid vaccine development and distribution saved millions of lives and prevented hospitalizations, leading to a significant $500 billion economic saving. The episode delves into vaccine efficacy, the importance of boosters, and strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy. Tune in for a concise yet comprehensive analysis of how COVID-19 vaccines have reshaped public health and the economy.

Among the highlights in this episode:

00:50: Dr. Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, shares his involvement in a research paper with the Progressive Policy Institute, discussing the impact of vaccine development and distribution. You can read the full publication at: https://www.progressivepolicy.org/publication/quantifying-the-economic-and-health-benefits-from-rapid-development-covid-19-vaccines-and-boosters/

02:36: Dr. Popovian summarizes the paper's findings, highlighting that 2.9 fatalities and 12.5 million hospitalizations were avoided, saving the U.S. economy $500 billion in hospitalization costs, and he also discusses the importance of boosters in reducing fatality rates

04:43: Dr. Popovian emphasizes that elderly and immunocompromised individuals benefit most from immunization, both in terms of health outcomes and economic savings

05:47: Dr. Popovian addresses the topic of herd immunity, noting its relative efficacy but stressing the risks associated with acquiring natural immunity through illness

07:39: Dr. Popovian talks about recent studies showing that individuals who are fully vaccinated and boosted have a lower incidence of long COVID

08:58: Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF, and Dr. Popovian discuss the challenges of vaccine hesitancy and the importance of returning to basics in advocating for vaccination, especially among older adults

10:29: Conner Mertens highlights the cost-effectiveness of vaccines in preventing expensive hospital treatments

10:52: Dr. Popovian suggests the need for better preparation and funding for future outbreaks, beyond just COVID-19

12:20: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs & Special Projects at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Robert Popovian and Conner Mertens, along with guest Catherine Hicks, a patient diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis as a child, dive into the complex world of formulary exclusions. They discuss how these exclusions impact patient care and the hidden consequences they bring, including how Catherine was personally impacted. Dr. Popovian also shares learnings from GHLF’s research work, shedding light on the clinical and economic implications of these exclusions. Tune in for a deep dive into the realities of navigating health care policy and the pressing need for patient advocacy.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:50: Conner asks Dr. Popovian to explain formulary exclusions

02:30: Our guest, Catherine Hicks, shares her struggle with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and epilepsy, detailing how formulary exclusions led to severe health complications and long-term spinal damage 

03:50: Catherine emphasizes the human impact of formulary exclusion decisions, highlighting how these affect not just individuals but large groups of patients

05:48: Dr. Popovian describes the research conducted by GHLF, revealing that a significant percentage of drug exclusions are neither clinically nor economically beneficial

09:06: Catherine stresses the importance of patient self-advocacy in navigating health care and insurance systems, based on her personal experiences 

10:55: Conner asks Dr. Popovian about alternatives to formulary exclusions and how to combat their negative effects

11:12: Dr. Popovian discusses the lack of active legislation addressing formulary exclusions and the need for collective policy efforts to prohibit such practices

12:42: Conner summarizes the episode, highlighting the harm caused by formulary exclusions to patients like Catherine 

13:12: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

You can watch the "Impact of Formulary Exclusions on Individual Patients" webinar at: https://youtu.be/jK0xaXGtUvk You can access both Analysis of Formulary Exclusions papers via the links below:

Analysis of Drug Formulary Exclusions from the Patient's Perspective: 2023 Update https://bit.ly/ExclusionsUpdate 

Modeling the Effects of Formulary Exclusions: How Many Patients Could Be Affected by a Specific Exclusion? https://bit.ly/SpecificExclusion 

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs & Special Projects at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.