Empowering Employer Control Over Specialty Pharmacy Spend

Specialty drug utilization and expenditures are rising 

Prescription drug use and spend has been steadily increasing in the U.S. and around the world. In fact, less than 5% of the U.S. population requires treatment with specialty drugs, yet they account for over 50% of net drug expenditure.  

According to an annual report from IQVIA, Americans spent $98 billion out-of-pocket on prescription drugs in 2024. This represents a 25% cumulative increase over five years.  

The pipeline for specialty drugs continues to be robust and growing despite higher costs and challenging regulatory requirements. Over the past decade, specialty drugs have consistently represented most of the new FDA drug approvals rising from about two-thirds (mid-2010’s) to approximately 80% by 2023–2024. This trend underscores the pharmaceutical industry’s focus on complex, high-impact therapies for serious and rare conditions. But, it comes at a cost.   

In addition, utilization is expected to increase as: 

• more innovative treatments and advanced therapies such as cell and gene therapies (CGTs) become available 

• providers become more familiar with prescribing 

• as many Americans get older, sicker and require more medications 

The cost burden of specialty drugs on payers and patients 

Financial challenges exist for payers in both public and private sectors as they strive to provide their members with high quality care and comprehensive, affordable health benefits. However, when hit by high-deductible premiums, patients tend to choose medications that minimize their out-of-pocket expenses, even if this places a greater financial burden on their health plan.  

And even though discounts (or rebates) in the manufacturer-patient relationship can significantly reduce or eliminate any out-of-pocket costs for the patient, the affordability of high-cost treatments remains a challenge. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, the average out-of-pocket prescription drug spending in 2023 was $1,432 per capita.  

Reduce specialty drug spend with NASH  

Specialty drugs are used to treat a small portion of the population, but account for over 50% of net drug expenditure. Navigating these challenges requires proactive solutions.  

At NASH, our mission is to save money for patients and payers while upholding the highest standards of patient safety and care. We’re committed to empowering employers to take control of their healthcare spend.  

We offer employers a way to reduce the cost of high-priced specialty drugs, providing substantial savings without compromising quality of care. Through our specialty drug solution, NASH offers a proactive approach to significantly reduce the cost of 450+ high-priced self-injectable and oral specialty drugs, at an average savings of 40 to 60%. We directly address the core concerns of high-cost claims and specialty drug expenditures.  

NASH is dedicated to tackling the crisis of specialty drug affordability head-on. We provide a solution that prioritizes quality care and substantial savings. Our commitment to excellence and cost-effectiveness positions us as a leader in making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all.  

Partnering with NASH 

The Network of Advanced Specialty Healthcare (NASH) serves as a strategic partner for employers seeking to manage specialty drug costs. NASH’s platform can be incorporated at any time during a benefit year. Our focus is patient safety, regulatory compliance, and seamless integration. With a team of industry leaders in specialty management, benefit design, and data exchange, NASH helps plan sponsors balance affordability, quality, and patient experience — while achieving significant, sustainable savings. 

Ready to find a clearer path to sustainable healthcare benefits? Contact NASH today.