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Latest featured insights
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
The move to Maximum Fair Prices for popular drugs will trigger new economic considerations for plan sponsors.
![4 Myths: Carving Out Specialty Pharmacy [White Paper]](/content/dam/o4-dam/images/professionals/pharmacies/man-and-woman-with-food-1080x720.jpg)
White paper
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.
Article
There are many misconceptions of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their services. Here are the facts.
Drug Pipeline Insights Reports
![A Simpler GLP-1, Plus Big-Market Launches [Report]](/content/dam/optum-dam/images/business/pharmacy/woman-meeting-with-doctor-1080x720.jpg)
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.
![First Once-Weekly Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes [Report]](/content/dam/optum-dam/images/business/pharmacy/doctor-finger-prick-1080x720.jpg)
Report
This edition of Notable New Drugs includes first once-weekly insulin, new psoriatic arthritis treatment and first oral treatment for allergic reactions
![First Oral GLP-1 Drug for Weight Loss [Report]](/content/dam/optum-dam/images/business/pharmacy/pharmacist-with-pills-1080x720.jpg)
Report
Explore 3 new drugs for chronic conditions including obesity, severe asthma and hives (also known as urticaria).
Preparing for the GLP-1 Era
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?
Latest podcasts
Podcast
Listen to our resident experts discuss critical industry challenges and the solutions you need to control rising drug costs.
All pharmacy management insights
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.
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.
The facts about pharmacy benefit managers
There are many misconceptions of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their services. Here are the facts.
Creating connections through partnership
Hear from an Optum Rx client on how we're partnering together for everyone we serve.
A young patient’s hemophilia story
See how Optum Rx helped change a patient’s life with access to life-altering medicines.
Unpacking recent federal actions on GLP-1s
Evolving federal policy on popular weight loss medications introduces additional cost and coverage uncertainties.
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.
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.
Are your pharmacy benefits working hard enough?
Pharmacy benefits should be transparent, affordable and easy to use. Get clear on your pharmacy benefit manager’s value with these 3 questions.
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.
Managing the high cost of cancer drugs
Breakthrough cancer drugs offer better outcomes – but soaring costs pose challenges for affordability.
How do pharmacy benefit managers work?
Hear how PBMs negotiate to deliver the lowest possible cost, benefiting plan sponsors and members alike.
Health Access Vision into Action Report
Learn how identifying and addressing disparities in healthcare allows everyone to live their healthiest life.
A new way to treat acute pain
A long-sought non-opioid painkiller has arrived. But will the benefits outweigh the cost?
How to manage medication overload
Hear from a leader's perspective on how to manage polypharmacy.
Optum Rx customer obsession
Watch how one Optum Rx employee made the system work better for everyone.
Orphan drug market: Rare diseases, large costs
Orphan drugs offer hope to people with rare diseases. They also add large costs. Our Orphan Drug Program is a targeted strategy to help control costs.
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.
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.
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
Fighting fraud, waste and abuse in pharmacy
How one plan sponsor realized more than $128,000 in savings and recoveries in one year.
Protecting refrigerated medications
Optum Rx ships temperature-sensitive medications in carefully designed packaging to ensure protection from both the heat and the cold.
Top 4 drug spend categories
Many patients combined with expensive drugs leads to top spending classes.
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.
3 ways to beat vaccine fatigue
Learn about researched vaccine messaging themes and important steps you can take to promote critical vaccinations for members.
A quarter-century of pharmacy benefit changes
Explore the dramatic changes in the years since 2000 — in drug performance and design, and especially affordability.
Regulations to watch: Spring 2025
Learn what’s at stake for pharmacy benefits sponsors as federal oversight changes and state legislative sessions begin.
Building the PBM of the future
The solutions plan sponsors need today to tackle the pharmacy challenges of tomorrow.
Biosimilars to save billions in this decade
Prices for popular brand-name biologics drop up to 60% with generic-equivalent biosimilars.
Empowering clients with choice and transparency
Helping make prescription drugs more affordable for plan sponsors and the members we serve is a universal focus.
Regulations to watch: Summer 2025
As legislation impacting PBMs ramps up again at the state level, the Trump administration signs drug pricing executive order in Washington, D.C.
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.
The secret to lowering the total cost of care
Rising pharmacy costs concern everyone. Managing the underlying health conditions behind each prescription is key to addressing these high costs.
New treatments for rare and common conditions
Our report emphasizes new, next-gen and first-in-class treatments for cystic fibrosis, non-opioid treatment and GLP-1 drugs.
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.
Advanced Pharmacy Audit Services
See how a health plan used advanced audit services to prevent and detect pharmacy fraud, saving over $1 million.
Make your pharmacy benefit plan work better
Learn 4 key questions you should be asking.
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).
8 ways to make drugs more affordable
Discover what plan sponsors need to know to help remove or limit cost as a barrier to medication access.
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?
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.
How to push back on 3 key pharmacy headwinds
Innovative formulary structures and clinical programs can help plan sponsors meet the challenge of expensive orphan, biologic and GLP-1 drugs.
How to eliminate prescription waste
Achieve savings by targeting expensive, low-value drugs.
3 steps to slash medication costs
This is your employer guide to reducing your healthcare spending.
Taking the paper out of member communications
Discover how digital communications can increase member engagement and lower the cost of care.
Alzheimer's treatment: Time for a level-set?
See success rates, risks and costs of the new Alzheimer’s treatments.
The big picture on pharmacy
Meet Dr. Wig, Chief Clinical Officer for Optum Rx, and hear how we’re addressing cost and clinical trends in pharmacy.
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.
The GLP-1 revolution continues
New pills and expanded indications are poised to alter the dynamics of GLP-1 costs and treatments.
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.
Automating the prior authorization process
Discover our latest innovation to the PA process — PreCheck Prior Authorization — which reduces approval times, appeals and denials.
Alternative funding: Real savings or problems?
See how much "free" drugs will actually cost you.
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.
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.
3 key forces shaping the future of pharmacy
These emerging trends will help define the road ahead.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Addressing pharmacy issues that matter to you
From specialty pharmacy to drug affordability, our experts tackle your biggest pharmacy challenges.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Orphan drugs market: Can we afford them?
We examine key questions around orphan drugs such as why they're so expensive, how they're being used and what plan sponsors should do next.
Pharmacy Insights Podcast
Listen to our resident experts discuss critical industry challenges and the solutions you need to control rising drug costs.