Shields Health Solutions’ New Collaboration to Boost Specialty Pharmacy Access in Chronic Care

Shields Health Solutions, a specialty pharmacy owned by Walgreens, has partnered with Sutter Health to expand access to specialty medications across the US. This collaboration aims to support patients with chronic and complex conditions, particularly in oncology, rheumatology and dermatology.

Nearly 3,000 healthcare providers will benefit, as Shields’ broad payer network and access to limited distribution drugs will offer patients more treatment options and cost-saving support. This partnership could improve care access while managing out-of-pocket expenses.

Through this integration, Sutter Health will simplify care coordination and provide expanded insurance support, financial assistance and medication management to ensure patients stay on their treatment course.

Ongoing shortages of essential drugs, including carboplatin, cisplatin and methotrexate sodium injections, have revealed substantial challenges in medication access. While cisplatin and methotrexate sodium tablets are now more accessible, some carboplatin formulations and methotrexate injections remain limited, with certain methotrexate recovery timelines extending into 2025.

During the 2023 cisplatin shortage, healthcare providers turned to alternatives like cetuximab for head and neck cancer, a shift that significantly raised administrative costs and impacted patient expenses. This partnership could aid consistency in specialty drug access despite such supply disruptions.

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Shields Health Solutions has been increasing efforts to maximize specialty care access through partnerships like those with UnityPoint at Home and Sharp HealthCare.

UnityPoint’s collaboration in Iowa streamlined chronic care through consolidated specialty pharmacy services, while the San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare partnership expanded access for hematology, oncology and rheumatology patients with free delivery and personalized support. Both collaborations are set to improve care and affordability, but the Sutter Health collaboration stands out for reaching a high volume of providers, broadening Shields’ specialty care impact across diverse therapeutic areas.

With partnerships across over 80 health systems, Shields Health Solutions has a strong record of supporting patient adherence and reducing costs. Together, Sutter Health and Shields Health Solutions are advancing affordable, accessible care for patients facing complex health challenges.

Sutter Health has been enabling its own $67.8 million specialty care expansion in California, aimed at increasing access to cardiology, neurology and urology care, adding 44 physicians to meet rising patient needs. By centralizing specialty services, the expansion could streamline patient care, reduce travel times and offer timely healthcare services.