Patients demand access to prescription drugs but need support

Patients “are in the driver’s seat” when it comes to the products the pharmaceutical industry is developing, said Mary Bellanti, vice president of clinical strategy and sales at MedImpact.

Bellanti was among the panelists discussing “The New Patient-Centered Pharmacy Ecosystem” during the 2026 EBRI-SHRM Health Benefits Symposium, sponsored by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.

“Patients are demanding access to drugs,” she said. “We’re also learning that we must leverage technology, but patients need support to understand what their options are and the long-term cost to them and to the system.”

Employers and their workers face several challenges in accessing prescription drugs, she said. One challenge is navigating a formulary and prior authorization while dealing with an illness, a chronic condition or a life-altering diagnosis.

“There must be a way to use technology at the point of care and not the point of sale,” she said.

Cost increases are another challenge.

“Cost increases are not making patients better shoppers; they are making patients walk away,” she said.

Bellanti called on employers to exercise their right to have their insurance questions answered and to see their data. “Please consider that carefully when you work with your consultant, with your pharmacy benefit manager.

“The value of the PBM must change to member engagement and outcomes, so you’re making the best decisions with your dollars,” she said.

Patients take on more responsibility, but have information overload

Patients have been forced to take more responsibility for their prescription drugs, said Michael Stull, chief sales officer at Employers Health.

“With all the information that is out there, how do we equip patients to make sense of all the information?” he asked. “We’re getting more information into the hands of patients, but how do we help them make sense of it?”

Pharmacists are underutilized in the primary care realm, said Susan Cantrell, CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. “We’re at a point where we have access issues in primary care,” she said. “How do we make sure we are optimizing drug therapy and taking care of patients? And how do we compensate pharmacists for the work they do?”

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Susan Rupe is editor in chief, magazine, for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at susan.rupe@innfeedback.com.