The partnership between Phoenix Children’s and Shields will initially serve patients with cystic fibrosis, with plans to expand to additional patient populations. Now, specialty pharmacy liaisons will guide patients and caregivers who fill prescriptions with Phoenix Children’s and will work with patients on-site. Among other things, these liaisons can assist patients and families with navigating barriers to care, such as health insurance prior authorizations or securing financial assistance.
Expanded patient support services, combined with access to recently approved and newly available specialty medications, will give Phoenix Children’s patients greater availability for onsite treatment options. Shields currently partners with more than 75 health systems around the country and has helped their patients reduce co-pays, promptly receive medication delivery — often within two days — and improved medication adherence greater than 90 percent on average.
“Specialty pharmacy services provide challenges for all patient populations, but pediatric patients have unique needs that require tremendous support,” said John Lucey, CEO at Shields. “We are proud to provide that support for patients at Phoenix Children’s and help them achieve the best possible health outcome.”
One of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, Phoenix Children’s has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the “Best Children’s Hospitals” in the country for twelve consecutive years. The health system has also earned recognition as the top children’s hospital in Arizona for two consecutive years. As Arizona’s only pediatric health system and a leader in the Southwest, Phoenix Children’s advances hope, healing and the best healthcare for every child and family.
“Through our partnership with Shields, we are establishing premier specialty pharmacy services that will allow us to enhance the world-class care we provide our communities,” said Mike Meekins, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Phoenix Children’s. “These new services allow for additional opportunities to improve care continuity for our patients while also reducing the administrative and financial burdens that can sometimes accompany these critical medications.”