Patient Conditions/Disease States

In this episode of Unscripted, guest host Steve Kheloussi, PharmD, MBA, FAMCP, welcomes returning guest Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and Vice Chair of Clinical Trials and Innovation and Director of the Dermatology Inpatient Service at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to discuss the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for alopecia areata. Once a condition with no FDA-approved therapies, alopecia areata now has three approved JAK inhibitors—with a fourth potentially on the horizon—and new clinical guidelines that may reshape how disease severity is defined and treated. Dr. Mostaghimi explains why traditional measures such as SALT scores may not fully capture the burden of disease, how the new AASC framework incorporates psychosocial impact, and what these changes could mean for coverage decisions, step therapy requirements, and formulary management. Sponsored by AbbVie, Inc.

In this video, Christina, an artist, educator, and self-described "accidental advocate," shares her experience living with a desmoid tumor, a rare, locally invasive soft tissue tumor that forms in the body's connective tissue and is also known as aggressive fibromatosis or desmoid-type fibromatosis. She describes the uncertainty of her initial diagnosis, the multiple treatments that did not work, and finding a therapy that has helped keep her tumor stable. 

As psychedelic-assisted therapies move closer to potential use in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD), health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and other managed care stakeholders are beginning to evaluate how these therapies could fit within existing coverage, reimbursement, and care delivery models. A new Journal of Managed Care + Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP) supplement from AMCP Market Insights provides a roadmap for many of the questions payers may face as innovative therapies enter the depression treatment landscape.

In this video, Shelby Cole shares her experience living with narcolepsy type one with cataplexy, a chronic neurological disorder that affects the body’s ability to regulate sleep and wake cycles.

In this video, Jessica of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, shares her journey living with eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), a chronic inflammatory condition that causes difficulty swallowing and food impactions. After years of symptoms that were initially treated as acid reflux, a biopsy finally confirmed her diagnosis.

In this episode of Unscripted, the AMCP podcast, we talk with Jeffrey Dunn, PharmD, MBA, President and CEO of Cooperative Benefits Group, about the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for HER2-positive biliary tract cancer (BTC) and its implications for managed care. The discussion covers the importance of biomarker testing and molecular profiling in guiding targeted therapy, key NCCN guideline considerations across lines of treatment, and the clinical and economic impact of timely access to HER2-directed therapies. We also discuss payer-provider collaboration strategies to improve testing, coverage alignment, and patient access in this rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Meet Tracy, who shares her story of living with thalassemia. Tracy discusses the realities of managing the condition over a lifetime and the impact it has had on her health, her family, and daily life.

Meet Valerie, who shares her story of living with phenylketonuria (PKU). Valerie discusses the challenges of managing the condition throughout her life and the emotional, physical, and systemic barriers that impact daily care.

Meet Zach, who shares his story of living with myasthenia gravis (MG). Zach discusses the challenges of delayed diagnosis, the cost of care, and how redefining his “new normal” has allowed him to find purpose and continue thriving.

Meet Troyce, who shares her story of living with hereditary angioedema (HAE). Troyce discusses the dangers of delayed diagnosis, the impact of living with a life‑threatening condition, and how access to treatment and community support changed her life.

Meet Nicki, who shares her story of living with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). Nicki discusses the daily impacts of dealing with the rare disease and the physical and social implications is causes.

In this last installment of our rare disease series, we speak with Angela Luong, PharmD, Senior Clinical Consultant at Pharmaceutical Strategies Group. Our discussion focuses on the burden of sickle cell disease, chronic pain management, limited treatment options, and the implications for managed care programs, including the use of data and care coordination to improve patient outcomes. This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AMCP offers CPE for this podcast through December 31, 2026.