Technology is transforming how specialty pharmacies deliver care to patients with complex and rare diseases, especially when leveraging advanced case coordination tools. This research highlights a Claritas Rx study evaluating the impact of CRM-driven, real-time collaboration across specialty pharmacy networks on patient fill rates and the time taken to initiate therapy—key metrics for quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes in specialty care.
Why Technology Matters in Specialty Pharmacy
Traditional specialty pharmacy coordination often relies on manual processes: phone calls, meetings, email chains, and fragmented accountability. These legacy methods are slow and reactive, which means delays for patients in need of vital medication and support. The study shows that shifting to a tech-enabled, CRM-integrated approach allows for faster, data-driven interventions for at-risk patients, helping ensure therapy is started sooner and continued without unnecessary or barriers to treatment.
Study Design and Key Findings
Using data from 737 hub and 197 specialty pharmacy (SP) patients across five major SP partners, the study compared outcomes for two brands—Brand A and Brand B—applying both typical and enhanced case management strategies. Patients were split into intervention (smart case coordination support) and non-intervention groups, segmented by time-to-fill windows (0-15 days, 15-30 days, and over 30 days).
- For SP patients in the 30+ day fill window, CRM-driven intervention improved fill rates by 20% (from 28% to 48%)—a notable increase in delayed and complex cases.
- Hub patients with enhanced intervention showed a 13% fill rate improvement in 30-day fills, adding access for roughly 95 patients who might otherwise have experienced setbacks.
- SP partners responded to interventions within 24 hours in 81% of cases, evidencing much more responsive care coordination as a direct result of technology integration.
Real-World Impact for Patients and Providers
The results affirm that smart case coordination portals—especially those integrated with CRM systems—successfully expedite patient support, organize consolidated patient data, and drive faster interventions. The study’s Brand B cohort, which embraced these digital strategies, consistently resolved complex cases quicker and achieved higher fill rates compared to Brand A’s more traditional methods.
The evidence suggests that manual reminder calls or emails alone are insufficient. True progress comes from workflow automation, real-time data visibility, and targeted, proactive interventions that benefit both patients and providers. The platform used in the study, Claritas Rx, increased care team responsiveness and enhanced outcomes by making alerts actionable and impactful.
The Future of Specialty Pharmacy
Adoption of CRM-driven technologies in specialty pharmacy offers clear gains: streamlined care, quicker therapy initiation, and improved adherence. Continued investment in these digital solutions and robust partnerships will be essential to advancing specialty care, improving patient experiences, and addressing the growing complexity in rare and chronic disease management.
Specialty pharmacies should consider smart case coordination not just as a tool, but as a strategic imperative for keeping pace with an evolving healthcare landscape. The data is clear—patients and providers alike stand to benefit when technology works at the center of care.
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This research is based on data by Claritas Rx, presented in an abstract at the NASP 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo and published in the Taylor & Francis MEDLINE-indexed journal Current Medical Research & Opinion (CMRO). Access both pieces to explore the findings further.
View Our Research in the Current Medical Research & Opinion (CMRO) Journal, Page 44
View Our Poster: Evaluating the Influence of Technology in Specialty Pharmacy Partnerships [Link to Poster hosted on our website]