Specialty medications are transformative for people living with complex, chronic, and life-threatening conditions. From cancer and autoimmune diseases to multiple sclerosis and rare disorders, these therapies can be life-changing. But for millions of Americans, access comes with a devastating tradeoff: unaffordable costs.
Today, specialty medications account for over half of total U.S. prescription drug spending. Even when medications are “covered” by employer-provided healthcare benefits, employees are often left facing high deductibles, coinsurance, prior authorization delays, and surprise bills that make starting—or staying on—therapy feel impossible.
When cost becomes a barrier to care
For patients, the impact of specialty drug pricing is real and personal.
- Therapy interruptions. Millions of Americans delay, skip, or stop taking prescribed medications because of cost (data from the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey and analyses by KFF)
- Medication non-adherence. Among working-age adults alone, more than 9 million people report cost-related medication non-adherence, increasing the risk of disease progression, avoidable hospitalizations, and emergency care.
- Financial consequences. Medical bills and illness contribute to the majority of U.S. bankruptcies affecting an estimated hundreds of thousands of families each year (American Journal of Public Health). And for patients prescribed specialty medications, high drug costs combined with lost wages and ongoing care expenses can quickly become overwhelming.
When the healthcare system fails to provide affordable access, patients find their own workarounds. In fact, millions of Americans already purchase prescription drugs from outside the United States to save money.
What patients need from specialty pharmacy care
From a patient experience perspective, access to specialty medications should include:
- Low out-of-pocket costs
- Help navigating approvals and refills
- Timely medication starts
- Zero interruptions to care
Patients need certainty and support from a specialty pharmacy partner that understands what’s at stake.
How NASH changes the patient experience
A specialty pharmacy model built around patients, not prices. At NASH, we believe cost should never determine whether someone receives the medication they need. That’s why patients using NASH specialty pharmacy services pay zero out-of-pocket costs.
No cost barriers to care., and no surprise bills. Just seamless access.
By eliminating cost as a barrier and simplifying every step of the journey, NASH helps patients start therapy faster, stay adherent longer, and focus on their health—not their finances. Our patient-first specialty pharmacy model is designed around real patient needs, not administrative complexity.
A better path forward for specialty medication access
Specialty medications can change lives—but only if patients can access them. NASH is redefining specialty pharmacy by removing cost as a barrier and putting patients first.
If cost is standing between you and treatment, NASH can help. Visit our patient page for more information on how to get started today.
About the Author
Michael “Mike” Agostino is a registered pharmacist and a seasoned entrepreneur in the healthcare industry. Currently, Mike is the CEO Network of Advanced Specialty Healthcare (NASH). Throughout his thirty-year career, Mike has been a founder, co-founder, and/or key contributor to the formation of several companies including Vivid Clear Rx, Turning Point, and Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions. Mike also served as President and co-owner of Amber Specialty Pharmacy and Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions, located in Omaha, NE. LinkedIn