This study evaluates health-system specialty pharmacy (HSSP) pharmacists' roles in medication discontinuations, switches, and dose changes, focusing on cost avoidance. HSSP pharmacists intervene to ensure safe and effective use of specialty medications, preventing unnecessary costs. Pharmacists successfully avoided $129,705 - $162,133 in direct costs through their interventions. These findings support the employment and role of pharmacists in HSSPs, extending beyond prescription filling.

This study examines the time to hGH medication insurance approval, determine whether time to approval was associated with patient factors, and evaluate whether time to hGH initiation impacts patient growth. Indication for hGH treatment, insurance, a requirement for additional testing, and method of medication coverage were associated with time to approval. Time to hGH initiation did not impact patient growth one year post decision to treat.