ADVANCING THE MANAGED CARE PHARMACY RESEARCH AGENDA VIA MAPPING OF RESEARCH PILLARS AND PRIORITIES

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The most critical evidentiary gaps in managed care pharmacy informed the research agenda of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and AMCP Foundation. Four overarching research pillars and six relevant research priorities were published in the Journal for Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy (April 2020). Research pillars and priorities need to align to address evidence gaps in managed care pharmacy and support the members served. OBJECTIVE: To review and map research priorities onto pillars and determine appropriate research questions that will advance the AMCP research agenda. METHODS: The six previously-identified priorities were reviewed by the AMCP/Foundation Joint Research Committee and AMCP staff against current health care concerns and the four research pillars 1) Real World Evidence (RWE) 2) Value Based Models (VBM) 3) Utilization Management (UM) and Benefit Design (BD) and 4) Patient Care Services (PCS). The top research priorities were selected across the four research pillars. To define research questions a Delphi approach representing managed care pharmacy stakeholders will be conducted via focus groups, priority-based workshops, interim surveys and discussion. This approach will culminate in consensus on the most essential, specific research questions for the next year. RESULTS: After the review of current priorities, two currently relevant priorities were added;addressing disparities in health care delivery and evaluating programs directed toward patients impacted by COVID. Of the eight research priorities, five focus priorities were chosen, mapped and prioritized as follows 1) Health disparities (RWE);2) Limited data available at the time of launch due to expedited review (RWE);3) Managed care pharmacy programs focused on patient care (PCS) 4) Demonstrating the impact of formulary management on medication access and patient outcomes (UM and BD);and 5) Assessing the impact of legislative activities and policies in addressing the total cost of care (VBM). Results from the rolling focus groups, workshops and surveys will lead to a consensus on prioritized research questions to support managed care pharmacy for 2021-2022. CONCLUSIONS: AMCP and the AMCP Foundation will advance their research agenda through answering research questions aligned with the top areas of concern to managed care pharmacy. Implementing the research agenda will close critical evidence gaps, thereby optimizing medicine and improving lives.