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Supporting Gastroenterology Care Through Specialty Pharmacy
Reducing Barriers for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors
Evelyn Choe, Pharm.D.
Clinical Pharmacist ChristianaCare Specialty Pharmacy
ChristianaCare Specialty Pharmacy
833-570-2697
Drashti Vasaiwala
Clinical Pharmacist ChristianaCare Specialty Pharmacy
ChristianaCare Specialty Pharmacy
833-570-2697
Timely access to advanced therapies is crucial for patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, prescribing these medications can be challenging for gastroenterology providers due to prior authorizations, insurance restrictions, and the demands of monitoring and patient education.
That’s where ChristianaCare’s Specialty Pharmacy comes in. We serve as a clinical partner, supporting both providers and patients throughout the treatment journey.
When to Consider Specialty Pharmacy Support
Gastroenterology providers may want to involve Specialty Pharmacy when patients face barriers that could delay or complicate treatment, including:
- Difficulty obtaining insurance approval or prior authorizations.
- Transitions to advanced biologic or targeted therapies.
- Anticipated adherence challenges or side‑effect concerns.
- Long‑term treatment planning, including injectable therapies.
“Many of these medications require significant coordination before a patient ever takes their first dose. When providers send the prescription to Specialty Pharmacy early, we can begin working on access right away,” Dr. Drashti Vasaiwala, a specialty pharmacist with ChristianaCare.
Special note: for therapies that begin as intravenous infusions and later transition to subcutaneous administration, early coordination with Specialty Pharmacy is especially important to ensure continuity of care.
What Specialty Pharmacy Takes Off the Provider’s Plate
Once a patient is referred, Specialty Pharmacy helps manage many of the logistical and clinical elements associated with IBD therapies.
That includes:
- Prior authorization and appeals, leveraging direct access to the patient’s medical record.
- Medication access support, including navigating insurance requirements and financial assistance programs.
- Patient education, such as training on self‑injection devices and counseling on side effects.
- Laboratory monitoring, with pharmacists tracking required labs and alerting providers when follow‑up is needed.
“These therapies can significantly affect lab values. Our pharmacists monitor that closely and communicate directly with the care team if something needs attention, or if a patient may not be an ideal candidate for a particular therapy,” says Dr. Choe, a specialty pharmacist at ChristianaCare.
Managing Common Barriers – Together
Patients with IBD often encounter delays related to insurance approvals or pharmacy restrictions. Specialty Pharmacy teams work proactively to prevent these barriers from interrupting care.
If a patient’s insurance does not allow medications to be dispensed through ChristianaCare’s Specialty Pharmacy, the team does not disengage. Instead, pharmacists help coordinate transfers, guide patients through next steps and ensure providers know where prescriptions ultimately need to be sent.
“We tell providers to send the prescription to us, even if they’re unsure where it will land. If we can’t dispense it, we’ll make sure it gets to the right place. We don’t leave patients feeling uncertain or concerned about what comes next or how they will get their needed medication,” says Dr. Vasaiwala.
A Trusted Clinical Resource – Day and Night
Another differentiator is 24/7 pharmacist availability. While many specialty pharmacies rely on large call centers, ChristianaCare maintains pharmacist on‑call coverage for urgent clinical questions.
After‑hours calls may involve concerns such as medication storage following a shipping delay, questions about new side effects or missed doses. Pharmacists can assess the situation, provide guidance and escalate to the provider when necessary.
That responsiveness offers reassurance to both patients and prescribers that support is always available when it matters most.
Partnering to Move Care Forward
As treatment options for IBD continue to evolve, including anti‑TNF biologics, IL‑23 inhibitors and targeted oral therapies, Specialty Pharmacy plays a critical role in helping providers navigate complexity while keeping patients at the center of care.
The message for all GI providers is simple:
Prescribe early. Communicate often. And let Specialty Pharmacy help manage the rest.
Learn more about how ChristianaCare Specialty Pharmacy partners with doctors to support patients with complex conditions, or contact us at 833-570-2697.
Disclaimer: Information about the medications mentioned in this article, including their availability and potential efficacy, is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information provided is not intended to promote the use of any drug for any condition other than those approved by the FDA.
- Individual results may vary, and the effectiveness of these drugs may depend on various factors, including the specific health condition and other treatments the patient is receiving.
- These drugs may have side effects or interactions with other medications, which should be reviewed. Consult the manufacturer’s claims/guide for each medication or a qualified pharmacist for more information.
- Availability of any drug is subject to change, and coverage by insurance or reimbursement options may vary.