Pharmland

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Oct 2025

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About the show

Pharmland is here to serve up the freshest pharmacy information and insights to benefits advisors, employers, and anyone else looking for a better understanding of the industry. Pharmacy – prices, policy, politics, and so much more – can be opaque and confusing, and we think it shouldn’t be. We think making informed decisions and moving confidently in the pharmacy space requires clarity and transparency. That’s why our experts take the biggest topics and dig deep, getting right to the root of it all, offering perspectives you won’t find anywhere else, making the subject accessible to the people impacted by it the most.

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13 recent

October 30, 2025Episode 1337 min

GLP-1s: The Hefty Cost Driver That Shows No Signs of Growing Leaner

GLP-1 utilization continues to balloon. With their demonstrated strong performance in treating conditions such as diabetes and certain cardiovascular risks, as well as their potential for lifestyle-related weight loss, the market for GLP-1s has truly skyrocketed, growing from a $46.7 billion market in 2024 to a mind-boggling projected $471 billion market by 2032. And these “hot” drugs are only getting hotter. Not only are direct-to-consumer advertising, celebrity promotion, and social media continuing to influence demand, but GLP-1s are also being explored to help solve a growing plethora of healthcare needs. On the horizon? New approvals for additional indications, new pathways of action, and GLP-1s as part of combination therapies. In other words, GLP-1s will remain buzzworthy for a long time to come – and given their price tags, employers need to be prepared. This episode will explore what employers need to know about the GLP-1 trend and what they can do to stay ahead of emerging trends and potential impacts of this already significant trend driver. Hosts:  Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services   Tom Davies, PharmD, Medicaid Pharmacy Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services; Former Vice President, Clinical Products at RxBenefits

August 28, 2025Episode 1245 min

Signed, Sealed…Surprised? The Case for Transparency in Pharmacy Benefits

Hidden fees. Spread pricing. Rebate retention. The fine print in pharmacy benefits contracts can quietly drive costs higher for employers and employees alike. In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Senior Director and Managing Counsel Wes Hill to break down the opaque practices that can keep pharmacy benefits costs high and clarity low – and make the case for how true transparency can protect budgets and improve member outcomes. Hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services  Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products  Guest: Wes Hill, Sr. Director, Managing Counsel, Regulatory & Intellectual Property

June 25, 2025Episode 1145 min

Pharmacy Benefits in Flux: How State Regulations Are Reshaping the Industry

Explore the evolving landscape of state pharmacy regulations in the latest episode of Pharmland. Lawmakers’ stated goals for the more than 1,400 state bills under consideration are to boost transparency in pharmacy benefits, reduce costs, and support independent pharmacies. However, they also have the potential to introduce significant challenges for plan sponsors and patients, including higher pharmacy spend from PBMs passing on incremental costs and a fragmented regulatory environment. Listen in to understand how these state-level changes could impact patient benefits and the complexities facing employers across the country. Hosts:  Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services , RxBenefits  Tom Davies,  PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products , RxBenefits Guest: Wes Hill, Sr. Director, Managing Counsel, Regulatory & Intellectual Property, RxBenefits

April 29, 2025Episode 1035 min

The $471 Billion Question: What's next for employers on the GLP-1 rollercoaster?

Join Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies for the latest episode of Pharmland as they tackle the $471 billion question – what’s driving the GLP-1 craze in 2025? From new approvals for chronic kidney disease and certain cardiovascular conditions to potential further expanded indications for conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Alzheimer’s, learn how these revolutionary drugs are reshaping the pharmaceutical market, what they mean for the future of innovation, and the potential impact on plan sponsors and patients.

February 12, 2025Episode 937 min

From Concept to Cure: The Journey of a New Drug and Its Cost Impact

In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies explore the long and often arduous journey of drug development – from early clinical trials to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and beyond. Learn more about how pharmaceutical companies decide which drugs to pursue, why only 10% of potential therapeutic agents make it to market as a new drug, and how that impacts the price of a drug and therefore, pharmacy plans. Plus, Bradley and Tom explore the history of FDA regulations, the complexities of clinical trials, and the controversial strategies manufacturers use to extend patents, delay generics, and protect market dominance – all of which shape today’s pharmaceutical landscape. Hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

November 13, 2024Episode 834 min

Complicated Pharmacy Math: Factors that Impact a Patient’s OOP Cost

What factors impact a patient’s cost at the pharmacy counter? In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies dive into the complex world of the out-of-pocket cost a patient pays at the pharmacy and explore the forces that contribute to medication costs – from high-deductible health plans to formulary tiers, rebates, and PBM negotiations – and can lead to some major shock at the price tag. Listen as Bradley and Tom explain why more patients are facing tough decisions at checkout – and what can be done to help them make informed choices. Hosts:  Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

September 23, 2024Episode 730 min

What the WAC? Decoding Pharmacy Pricing from Manufacturer to Pharmacy

“Where do different pharmacy pricing points fit in the life cycle of prescription drugs?” In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies examine the intricacies of drug pricing. They break down how pricing evolves through the supply chain – from the manufacturer to the pharmacy – and explain key terms like Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC), and Average Wholesale Price (AWP). Gain a clearer understanding of how these costs influence drug costs and impact your pharmacy benefits strategy. Hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

August 23, 2024Episode 634 min

Pharmacy Plan Playbook: Goals, Strategies, and Smart Moves

“What are some good questions to ask HR benefits managers to help determine the most important goals for their pharmacy plans?” In this episode of Pharmland, RxBenefits Clinical Pharmacist Specialist McKenzie Rice joins co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies to discuss how to evaluate what to consider when developing a pharmacy plan including the pharmacy benefit landscape, potential member impact from pharmacy plan changes, and how geography or industry can influence usage trends for high-cost medications like GLP1s. The conversation highlights details how to balance what is important to your organization and employees with cost containment strategies Guest: McKenzie Rice, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist Specialist Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

July 15, 2024Episode 537 min

Bio, Are They Really That Similar?

“Why are biosimilars taking so long to catch on?” In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Clinical Services Principal Advisor about a hot topic within the pharmacy industry: biosimilars. The experts explore biosimilars and their role in the pharmacy landscape, including how they can help mitigate skyrocketing specialty drug costs and why there hasn’t been an uptick in usage the way many experts expected. Tune in as they discuss what exactly a biosimilar is, as well as what the future holds for them and their place in the market. Guest: Ruth Opdycke, PharmD, Principal Advisor, Clinical Services Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products

June 7, 2024Episode 448 min

Prior Authorizations: Are They Evil or Good?

S01 E04: Prior Authorizations: Are They Evil or Good? “What’s the reason behind a prior authorization?” In this episode of Pharmland, co-hosts Bradley Nelson and Tom Davies talk with RxBenefits Clinical Operations Manager Lindsay Miller about the intricate world of prior authorizations. They explore the complexities and challenges surrounding this critical process in healthcare, highlighting its impact on patients, providers, and payers alike. Tune in as they discuss strategies for streamlining prior authorization procedures, the balance between cost control and patient access, and the future of this pivotal aspect of pharmacy benefits management. Guest: Lindsay Miller ,PharmD, Manager, Clinical Pharmacists Co-hosts: Bradley Nelson, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Services Tom Davies, PharmD, Vice President, Clinical Products