The pharmacist's role in shaping the future of value-based payment models in state Medicaid programs.

OBJECTIVES: To describe roles for pharmacists to facilitate payer-initiated value-based contracts within state Medicaid programs.

SUMMARY: According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, prescription drug expenditures are expected to see the fastest annual growth in the health care sector over the next decade owing to a greater number of costly specialty medications and overall higher drug prices. Increased prescription costs make value-based contracts particularly compelling opportunities for payers. Pharmacists, as formulary subject-matter experts, have unique skills that are beneficial to value-based contract designs. Much like their role in formulary development, pharmacists' clinical knowledge of evidence-based medicine and cost-effective medication use ensures that contract negotiations are both clinically appropriate and address cost-savings components. Well designed value-based contracts can potentially improve the quality of care without increasing overall health care expenditures. Other potential benefits of value-based contracts include reducing waste, achieving cost predictability, and achieving fiscal responsibility for high-cost drugs while supporting patient access.