Latest featured insights
Article
Discover the unique challenges and responsibilities of introducing AI into pharmacy benefit solutions.
Article
At Optum Rx, we’re using AI responsibly — fairly, safely, ethically — to make health care easier and better for the people we serve.
Article
Two AI experts share insights on how we’re using AI and advanced technology to improve everything from trend prediction to member services.
Article
From predicting drug trend to earlier fraud protection, see how we’re leveraging AI to improve operations for clients and members.
Report
This edition of Notable New Drugs includes another oral GLP-1, the first preventative treatment for COVID-19 and the most effective oral drug for plaque psoriasis.
Report
This edition of Notable New Drugs includes first once-weekly insulin, new psoriatic arthritis treatment and first oral treatment for allergic reactions
Report
Explore 3 new drugs for chronic conditions including obesity, severe asthma and hives (also known as urticaria).
Article
New pills and expanded indications are poised to alter the dynamics of GLP-1 costs and treatments.
White paper
Evolving federal policy on popular weight loss medications introduces additional cost and coverage uncertainties.
Article
Hundreds of clinical trials are vetting GLP-1s to treat everything from Alzheimer’s to arthritis. The question is: How will we afford it?
Podcast
Listen to our resident experts discuss critical industry challenges and the solutions you need to control rising drug costs.
All pharmacy benefit insights
How do pharmacy benefit managers work?
Hear how PBMs negotiate to deliver the lowest possible cost, benefiting plan sponsors and members alike.
4 myths: Carving out specialty pharmacy
We examine the impact of carve-out approaches, how these carve-outs work against patient experience and clinical value, and how the integrated Optum Rx approach works better for all stakeholders.
Get immediate savings on specialty drugs
Specialty drug spend is a “top threat” to employer-provided benefits. Discover sustainable savings with your existing Optum Rx plan.
A simpler GLP-1, plus big-market launches
This edition of Notable New Drugs includes another oral GLP-1, the first preventative treatment for COVID-19 and the most effective oral drug for plaque psoriasis.
Building trust in AI: A responsible approach
At Optum Rx, we’re using AI responsibly — fairly, safely, ethically — to make health care easier and better for the people we serve.
The impact of AI on today's pharmacy benefits
In our latest podcast, two AI experts discuss how Optum Rx is leveraging artificial intelligence while prioritizing privacy and security.
Specialty drugs: Not just set and forget?
For optimizing specialty drug therapy, monitoring patients throughout their care is key to cost-effective use of high-cost drugs.
5 questions executives are asking about AI in pharmacy benefits
Discover the unique challenges and responsibilities of introducing AI into pharmacy benefit solutions.
Taking the paper out of member communications
Discover how digital communications can increase member engagement and lower the cost of care.
Smart formulary management
Develop and manage formularies that bring clinical and financial value.
Transform your pharmacy benefits with end-to-end transparency
Learn 8 ways that plan sponsors can benefit from a comprehensive approach to transparency and accountability.
Unpacking recent federal actions on GLP-1s
Evolving federal policy on popular weight loss medications introduces additional cost and coverage uncertainties.
GLP-1s: Real-life wonder drugs?
Hundreds of clinical trials are vetting GLP-1s to treat everything from Alzheimer’s to arthritis. The question is: How will we afford it?
First oral GLP-1 drug for weight loss
Explore 3 new drugs for chronic conditions including obesity, severe asthma and hives (also known as urticaria).
Pharmacy benefit managers add value lower costs
PBMs don’t cause high drug costs — they’re part of the solution. Our drug prices beat the “low cost” vendors.
Protecting refrigerated medications
Optum Rx ships temperature-sensitive medications in carefully designed packaging to ensure protection from both the heat and the cold.
The GLP-1 revolution continues
New pills and expanded indications are poised to alter the dynamics of GLP-1 costs and treatments.
Alzheimer's treatment: Time for a level-set?
See success rates, risks and costs of the new Alzheimer’s treatments.
What plan sponsors need to know about WAC pricing shifts
The move to Maximum Fair Prices for popular drugs will trigger new economic considerations for plan sponsors.
Aging workforce and the impact on drug spend
An estimated 23% of the workforce will be over age 65 by 2050 – but what does that mean for my drug plan?
How AI in pharmacy is powering new innovations
From predicting drug trend to earlier fraud protection, see how we’re leveraging AI to improve operations for clients and members.
Is your pharmacy benefit manager delivering value?
The 5 key questions you should ask to make sure your pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is able to promote value, drive innovation and improve health outcomes.
3 ways to beat vaccine fatigue
Learn about researched vaccine messaging themes and important steps you can take to promote critical vaccinations for members.
The facts about pharmacy benefit managers
There are many misconceptions of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their services. Here are the facts.
5 lessons from a year in flux
From tariffs to GLP-1s and AI, see which pharmacy topics led the conversation — and why they still matter going into 2026.
3 key forces shaping the future of pharmacy
These emerging trends will help define the road ahead.
Managing the high cost of cancer drugs
Breakthrough cancer drugs offer better outcomes – but soaring costs pose challenges for affordability.
Addressing pharmacy issues that matter to you
From specialty pharmacy to drug affordability, our experts tackle your biggest pharmacy challenges.
Alternative funding: Real savings or problems?
See how much "free" drugs will actually cost you.
Building the PBM of the future
The solutions plan sponsors need today to tackle the pharmacy challenges of tomorrow.
Creating connections through partnership
Hear from an Optum Rx client on how we're partnering together for everyone we serve.
Automating the prior authorization process
Discover our latest innovation to the PA process — PreCheck Prior Authorization — which reduces approval times, appeals and denials.
How to eliminate prescription waste
Achieve savings by targeting expensive, low-value drugs.
A young patient’s hemophilia story
See how Optum Rx helped change a patient’s life with access to life-altering medicines.
3 strategies to control pharmacy spend
See the critical products our clients use to manage drug spend and improve outcomes.
Insights on GLP-1s: Costs and coverage
Balancing the risks and the benefits of GLP-1 drugs.
Pivotal momentum in women’s health benefits
From fertility to menopause, smarter women's health benefits drive retention, reduce costs and support evolving workforce needs.
How to manage medication overload
Hear from a leader's perspective on how to manage polypharmacy.
Small price hikes make for big drug prices
We know about the high prices for new drugs, but drug companies make most of their money from repeated small price increases on older drugs.
Optum Rx customer obsession
Watch how one Optum Rx employee made the system work better for everyone.
Creating a better pharmacy experience
We’re committed to a expertly designed member experience built on affordability, accessibility and compassionate support from knowledgeable benefit experts.
How Optum Rx goes further to promote transparency
We’re redefining pharmacy benefit management with full transparency. Explore how our platform delivers unmatched access to detailed data and insights.
Navigating 3 new pharmacy regulations in 2026
From GLP-1s to vaccines to tariffs, government policies will touch every area of pharmacy services this year.
Delivering better value for our plan sponsors
We partner with you to determine which solutions – designed to ease rising drug costs and support better health outcomes – best match your pharmacy needs.
Pharmacy benefit management solutions, built for you
Clear pricing. Aligned scale. Actionable insights — helping you make smarter decisions, faster.
First once-weekly insulin for type 2 diabetes
This edition of Notable New Drugs includes first once-weekly insulin, new psoriatic arthritis treatment and first oral treatment for allergic reactions
Blockbuster drug patent expirations in 2026 and what they mean
These billion-dollar drugs are set to lose their exclusivity. But good things happen when generics and biosimilars are allowed to compete with costly brand-name drugs.
Relentless preparation leads to a strong 2026 implementation
We delivered a seamless 1/1 transition for over 800 new clients with strong service, stable operations and improved member experiences.
Fighting fraud, waste and abuse in pharmacy
How one plan sponsor realized more than $128,000 in savings and recoveries in one year.
How plan sponsors can stay ahead of the latest drug cost trends
A transparent fee-based model, real-time tools, and integrated pharmacy care help plan sponsors achieve affordability, predictability and better member outcomes.
Transforming the pharmacy member experience with AI
Our AI technology proactively identifies and solves issues – before members even realize there’s a problem.
What’s next for AI in pharmacy?
Two AI experts share insights on how we’re using AI and advanced technology to improve everything from trend prediction to member services.
Top 5 ways Optum Rx is putting AI into action
See how we’re using AI to make pharmacy care faster, more personalized and proactive.
The big 4: Which drug classes are driving spending?
Rising pharmacy costs extend far beyond GLP-1s — inflammatory conditions and oncology therapies continue to drive significant spend.
3 new drugs are coming for rare and chronic conditions
This edition of Notable New Drugs includes new treatments for high cholesterol, excessive daytime sleepiness and autoimmune disease that offer promising results and improved competition.
Smarter, simpler pharmacy support with AI: An expert interview
In our latest podcast episode, hear our AI experts explore how real-time AI insights help members make more informed pharmacy care decisions.
Pharmacy Insights Podcast
Listen to our resident experts discuss critical industry challenges and the solutions you need to control rising drug costs.
Optum Rx is reinventing the PBM model
Fixed pricing, predictability and real-time visibility into medication costs are the core of the new Optum Rx PBM model.
Psychedelics: Promising but controversial
Psychedelic medicines show promise, but experts say infrustructure, insurance buy-in and trained providers are the real hurdles.
Is your PBM delivering the best value? 4 key questions to ask
See if your PBM is giving you the tools and guidance you need to balance savings with improved outcomes.
Biosimilars: Hard to make but lower costs
Biosimilars compete with expensive biologic drugs by offering the same safety and effectiveness, but at a lower cost.
New pharmacy benefit solutions to help bend the cost curve
In this conversation, get a peek into upcoming solutions and technologies designed to address high-cost medications.
How to protect access and manage GLP-1 costs
GLP-1 drugs can successfully help people control their weight, but much is riding on whether we can afford them.
1-stop PBM or multiple vendors?
Pros and cons to consider before distributing your PBM services among multiple vendors