Dr Robert Gluckman Speaks About Getting the Most Benefit From Pharmaceuticals

Robert Gluckman, MD, MACP, chief medical officer, Providence Health Plan, spoke with The American Journal of Managed Care^® about topics he was looking forward to hearing about at our recent Institute for Value-Based Medicine (IVBM) evening held in partnership with Providence Health System, in Newport Beach, California.

Gluckman was a discussant on the evening's final panel, "Applying Cost and Evidence to Pharmacy Coverage Policy and Benefits."

Transcript

What were you most interested in hearing about at our Newport Beach IVBM?

One of the things I was really interested in hearing about is how an acute care organization like Providence is really dealing with formulary issues and how to bring the most value to patients, while also controlling costs. Its hospitals really are challenged by by high health care costs today.

What were you most excited about speaking on in the final group panel?

I think that what I'm really trying to convey in this session is that there are a number of things that plans, providers, and patients face when trying to address how to get the most benefit from pharmaceuticals. The process is kind of murky and messy for people. So I really want to talk about the pressure points between payer [and] provider and see how we can reduce those so that patients can get the care that they need.