An Introduction
By
New Role
A heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every one of you. Because you trust and believe in us, SHARx has significantly changed the lives of so many people in dire need!
To continue that momentum, I am excited to announce that I have chosen to move into the role of Chief Growth Officer (CGO) at SHARx. My focus now shifts fully to expanding our key partnerships and vendor programs, delivering more consistent communication to valued partners, building broker loyalty programs, and concentrated involvement on larger opportunities.
Yet, with the tremendous noise from social media platforms, it is possible you may experience doubt as to the impact you are having. Now more than ever, your clients need you and equally need SHARx.
My Story
In 2015, the trajectory of my life was dramatically altered. My first child was diagnosed with a rare disease known as Cystinosis while my wife was pregnant with our second child, who would also be born with the same disease.
While reeling from this new reality, we found hope through the existence of a specialty medication that treats the disease, only to be gut-punched with the $1.6 million annual price tag to treat both boys.
My personal roller coaster ride of learning to pilot the expensive world of high-cost prescriptions inspired me to invest time and energy into helping others that are experiencing similar challenges, of those feeling the strain and heartache while working out exactly how they will afford the life-saving drug(s) their loved ones need.
Out of my own need, my passion flourished.
An Unbearable Burden
According to Georgetown Health Policy Institute, more than 131 million people – 66 percent of all adults in the United States – use prescription drugs. Shockingly, drugs cost an average of 256% more in the United States than other countries (Rand Corporation).
The cost of these medications has led to financial, moral, and social dilemmas for both employers and individual Americans alike. As a consultant, you have shared in the anxiety of an employer telling you they can no longer afford to cover high-cost medications, while also feeling an overwhelming burden for the individual who no longer has insurance for these debilitating illnesses.
The Reality of the Anti-Prescription Procurement Industry and Manufacturers
Knowledge is power. This is particularly true in the prescription procurement world. Proponents of Big Pharma love to aim their arrows at organizations like SHARx in an effort to protect their financial interest. They espouse a plethora of inaccuracies and misconceptions about who we serve and why we do what we do, dismissing the fact that their own greed incubates the desperate situation in which individuals find themselves.
These ‘pharma bros’ want the public to believe they are altruistic. In reality, manufacturers produce medications and charge outrageous prices for three main reasons:
- There are third parties involved
- People will pay
- Very few people ask questions
The art of distraction allows manufacturers to rack up billions of dollars in profit while many Americans are forced to mortgage their future to save their lives. Currently, there are multiple ways to access medications, and Americans need the knowledge you have and the expertise SHARx provides them to help navigate the maze.
Our Service and Commitment
Your clients faced the proverbial fork in the road and now their team members need the help of experts. These members are living in a world without insurance for their medications and our team recognizes this. We support the employer’s need to financially adapt while remaining zealous in our pursuit of the members’ access to the medications. That is why SHARx is not designed around an egregious percentage of savings model and only partners with transparent PBMs with aligned incentives for all involved. Employers know their employees need assistance in sourcing medications given the plan exclusions and find it a fair solution to pay a per employee per month fee, so their team members get the guidance they desperately need.
A Healthy Future
What is your why?
SHARx helps individuals suffering in the silence source their high-cost medications. And that is our why. No person should have to make the choice between paying for medications or basic necessities.
My mantra: Empower the patient that takes the drug and the Employer trying to manage their company. Neither have a seat at the table, but we are giving them a voice. Your partnership with SHARx increases the likelihood of a healthy future.