Dr. Christie C. Smith

📅 Another week, time for some more reasons to team up with us, community and retail #pharmacy! 🙌 We're counting down the top 12 reasons why all retail open-door, walk-in #pharmacies in the US should join our pharmacy network and the #TeamCubanCard at www.teamcubancard.com with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC: Last week: Reason #12: https://lnkd.in/gy-cftKe Reason #11: https://lnkd.in/gJDdfCVa Reason #10: https://lnkd.in/geck9PHy Reason #9 today - below. 💊 If you're a patient, head on over to www.teamcubancard.com and grab your own Team Cuban Card and join, just in time for 1/1/25 plan changes - it's free! 💊 If you're a #pharmacy and you haven't joined our network but want to learn more - just complete this form and we will be in touch: https://lnkd.in/gnruGTkH

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Building a successful Medical Affairs team requires starting off right. Let my team help you achieve success by providing expert guidance & support. Listen to my discussion with Janet Leosberg, PharmD in our podcast episode, "Breaking Through Barriers to Success." https://lnkd.in/easpKduh

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Would love to see this Bill passed The Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act is a bipartisan legislative proposal introduced in December 2024 by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), along with Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). The bill aims to address conflicts of interest in the pharmaceutical industry by prohibiting the joint ownership of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and pharmacy businesses. PBMs are intermediaries between insurers and pharmacies, and their ownership of pharmacies has raised concerns about anti-competitive practices that may drive up drug costs and limit patient choices. Key provisions of the PBM Act include: • Prohibition of Joint Ownership: Parent companies of PBMs or health insurers would be prohibited from owning pharmacy businesses. • Mandatory Divestiture: Companies in violation would be required to divest their pharmacy businesses within three years. • Enforcement Authority: Agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, and state attorneys general would be empowered to enforce divestitures and require the disgorgement of revenues obtained during periods of violation. • Redistribution of Funds: The FTC would be directed to distribute any disgorged revenue to affected communities, including consumers overcharged at vertically integrated pharmacies. Supporters of the bill argue that it will enhance competition, lower drug costs, and protect independent pharmacies by eliminating inherent conflicts of interest in the current system. Critics, including industry trade groups, contend that the legislation could limit access to affordable pharmacies and potentially increase healthcare costs. As of January 2025, the PBM Act has been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and is under consideration by Congress. #healthinsurance #PBM

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ICYMI, our 4th MA Pulse article was recently released! In this release we cover my Medical Affairs Unscripted podcast episode with Dan Hennessy, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Merus, discussing strategies for optimizing trial enrollment and elevating clinical development success. If your team is in the midst of a clinical trial journey, looking to streamline your enrollment efforts, or are seeking strategies to leverage MSL engagement in your medical affairs initiatives, this one's for you. https://lnkd.in/epfdCvuZ Lumanity #MAPulse #MedicalAffairs #MAUnscripted #DanHennessey #PegCrowleyNowick Lumanity Strategy & Insight

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💥 Leveraging Real-World Evidence (RWE) in MSL Activities 💥 Don't miss this weeks MSL Talk Podcast with Elizabeth Pash, PhD, MS, RDN, Medical Affairs Executive Leader who shares insights on how to leverage real-world evidence (RWE) in MSL activities. This episode is sponsored by MSL Mastery, helping Medical Science Liaisons and aspiring MSLs to excel in their careers and lives through courses, coaching, and community. For more details, please visit MSLmastery (dot) com. In this episode, Beth discusses… 👉 What is Real World Evidence and how it is different from Clinical Trial Data 👉 How MSLs can effectively incorporate RWE into their discussions with healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders (KOLs) 👉 Challenges MSLs typically face when presenting RWE to stakeholders, and how can they overcome them 👉 Ways RWE can be used to enhance the strategic value of MSL activities 👉 Key skills MSLs need to develop in order to effectively understand and communicate RWE to diverse audiences The MSL Talk Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and the MSL Talk YouTube Channel. MSL Talk is a podcast that features helpful information for current Medical Science Liaisons, Medical Affairs leaders, job seekers looking to break into the pharmaceutical industry in their first MSL role as well as anyone interested in hearing good industry conversations and medical affairs discussions. #msl #medicalaffairs #medicalscienceliaison #realworldevidence #careers

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💥 SUPER MSL: The Quest to Become the TOP MSL on Your Team💥 Don't miss this weeks MSL Talk podcast with Daniel Snyder, Ph.D., Senior Medical Affairs & HEOR Leader who discusses the differentiators for MSLs that will make you stand out and become the top MSL on your team. Learn more about….   👉 The qualities and differentiators of a “Super MSL” 👉 The skills and attributes that make MSLs stand out relative to their peers 👉 What common mistakes do MSLs need to avoid to 👉 What MSL Team leader should do to encourage and entice ideal MSL skills The MSL Talk Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and the MSL Talk YouTube Channel.     MSL Talk is a podcast that features helpful information for current Medical Science Liaisons, Medical Affairs leaders, job seekers looking to break into the pharmaceutical industry in their first MSL role as well as anyone interested in hearing good industry conversations and medical affairs discussions.   #msl #medicalaffairs #medicalscienceliaison #MSLtalk #careers  

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💥 SUPER MSL: The Quest to Become the TOP MSL on Your Team💥 Don't miss this weeks MSL Talk podcast with Daniel Snyder, Ph.D., Senior Medical Affairs & HEOR Leader who discusses the differentiators for MSLs that will make you stand out and become the top MSL on your team. Learn more about…. 👉 The qualities and differentiators of a “Super MSL” 👉 The skills and attributes that make MSLs stand out relative to their peers 👉 What common mistakes do MSLs need to avoid to 👉 What MSL Team leader should do to encourage and entice ideal MSL skills The MSL Talk Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and the MSL Talk YouTube Channel. MSL Talk is a podcast that features helpful information for current Medical Science Liaisons, Medical Affairs leaders, job seekers looking to break into the pharmaceutical industry in their first MSL role as well as anyone interested in hearing good industry conversations and medical affairs discussions. #msl #medicalaffairs #medicalscienceliaison #MSLtalk #careers

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In #NeurodegenerativeDisease news, specifically on an experimental treatment for #ALS, with this new #strategic partnership is penned between Dewpoint Therapeutics and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America. ⚛️ The asset is the former's drug, designed "to address the accumulation of a protein into toxic structures that lead to neuronal dysfunction in people with ALS." 🤝 The alliance would grant MTP exclusive rights to license, upon achieving certain developmental milestones. ⚕️ This would add to MTP's existing US-marketed ALS treatment, #Radicava https://lnkd.in/evayrVv4' #Dewpoint #Mitsubishi #Pharma #Biopharma #Healthcare

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A great day for patient access in ESRD! CMS Policy Update announced Monday November 25, 2024. Beginning in January 2025, CMMI’s Kidney Care Choices (KCC) value-based care model will carve out Transitional Drug Add-on Payment Adjustments (TDAPA payments) from financial calculations such as benchmarks, performance year expenditures and USPCC trend rates, allowing ESRD patients participating in a KCC to have increased access to certain innovative new drugs https://lnkd.in/gpFQ2RS6

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Traditional PBMs recommend programs that steer to their own pharmacies because it benefits their bottom line. But if you as a plan sponsor think the PBM will help you defend those strategies when they come under scrutiny, I’ve got some bad news for you… Here’s a clickable super-cut of one Traditional PBM executive making it abundantly clear who he thinks is responsible for steerage: https://lnkd.in/e5FifjDG https://lnkd.in/emyECNKH https://lnkd.in/ezU7Vm3n https://lnkd.in/eXF3HUVJ PBMs are experts in ERISA. They understand that the plan sponsor ultimately ends up “holding the bag” on decisions like this, even when it was the PBM that recommended the strategy. This has massive implications for the legal risks that fiduciaries face in the current environment.

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A very interesting analysis on 340B and the impact on that program from PBMs from Avalere. The analysis details how PBMs have a hand in exploiting the 340B program through their business practices. https://lnkd.in/gEQAKczY

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In this edition of the New Medicines, Novel Insights newsletter, Stacy Hurt, M.H.A., M.B.A., Chief Patient Officer, Kristina Reeder, Director, Patient Insights, and Nichola Gokool, Vice President, Customer Strategy and Innovation, Medical Communications, review the critical importance of the patient's voice throughout clinical development. Learn why this is so important in oncology trials, steps for understanding and amplifying patient perspectives, and how Parexel experts are tailoring research processes to the people the therapies are intended to serve. Read the full article and subscribe to receive the latest #NovelInsights each week! https://lnkd.in/dS3cti6f #Oncology #PatientsFirst #PatientPerspectives #PatientVoice

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What an honor it was to partner with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to deliver a workshop focused on mindful eating and staying active during the busy holiday season. This experience was a reminder to me and all of the participants that even the most dedicated, high-performing leaders can’t pour from an empty cup.✋🏾 I know that being a leader comes with a unique set of challenges. You’re juggling decisions, navigating demands, and showing up for everyone who depends on you. Somewhere in the middle of all that responsibility, it seems like the easist thing to do is put your health and well-being on the back burner. But let me remind you that your health isn’t just about you. It sets the tone for your teams, your performance, and ultimately, the success of your organization. And that’s why I applaud Alnylam’s commitment to making wellness a priority—not just for individuals, but for their entire organization. We didn't just chat we had some sweaty fun! The participants got moving with a 15-minute chair workout, using water bottles as weights. It was inspiring to see their energy and dedication, proving that you don't need a ton of time or equipment to prioritize your health. To my fellow executives: Are you making space for wellness in your leadership? Are you creating a culture where well-being is celebrated and laid as the foundation for excellence? If not, it’s never too late to make a shift 💡 Let’s connect and talk about how you can empower yourself and your teams to lead with strength, resilience, and balance. 🌟 #LeadershipWellness #MindfulLeadership #CorporateWellness #HealthyLeadership #MovementMatters

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Huge shoutout to Mohamed Elzokm, PharmD, RPh, MBAc for lending his time to have this valuable conversation. If you’re someone who’s curious about the Medical/Clinical Affairs space, the fellowship interview process, or an incoming fellow looking at how to navigate your way from being a student to an industry professional- this episode is for you 😊. Awesome tips & advice from Mohamed! https://lnkd.in/dnggCqFT

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#ICYMI: Watch our full webinar recording to explore how medical affairs is uniquely positioned to infuse drug development with the voice of the patient and bring scientific information with patient communities that benefit all: https://ow.ly/8BPp30sEVMZ #SyneosHealth

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The Pharmacists Fight Back Act (HR 9096) is critical to reining in #PBMs & their GPO counterparts greed-based business practices. If you care about the future of #pharmacy & #patientaccess to care, Contact Your Congressperson & ask them to sign on to this important legislation today! #PBMreform #BreakTheWheel #independentpharmacy Benjamin Jolley Matt Stoller

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When is the market going to change? My prediction: leading indicators are suggesting the shift is coming and will compound throughout 2025. Optimism is on the rise! As we prepare for 2025, there are a few words that come to mind: 🌟 Agility 🌟 Focus 🌟 Purpose As leaders within the clinical research industry, what we believe and speak to our teams has a major impact on what our business looks like tomorrow. I encourage you to change your outlook from heavy and burdened to uplifting and positivity. Let’s choose to steer our businesses and teams with confidence, resilience and clarity surrounding our vision! #CRO #Leadership

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