Atopic Dermatitis and Drug Accessibility

Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP-C: We’re going to have to talk about the access to drugs as we look at some of these new therapies that are going to come down the pipeline. The bulk of these therapies require additional work to get them approved. We’ve seen that. I don’t know if you all have done prior authorizations for some of the topical agents, but I do it for them as well, not just for dupilumab and some of the emerging therapies. Who all helps you make this happen? Do you have to do that yourself? Do you have a team of people who help? What’s involved?

Douglas DiRuggiero, DMSc, PA-C: I absolutely couldn’t practice medicine without my MAs [medical assistants] and my biological coordinator. I have this wonderful group of people in my clinic. We’ve all been able to train, encourage, and put people into positions that come in with us as nurses, or who are on the desk outside, and make it so easy for me to simply just talk to the patient about the important things: what to expect, what the adverse effects could be, how it’s going to change their lives. At the same time, my nurses are pulling the forms, filling them out, looking at their insurance requirements, and taking care of all the paperwork. They’re the unsung heroes in my office. Patients come in and say, “Thank you for getting us on this medicine.” I take every opportunity that I can to point to my nurses and I’d say, “I didn’t get you on this medicine. Let me pull Christina in here. She’s the 1 who made phone calls to get you on this medicine.” I clap for her; she comes in. It’s real important to point out how much of an impact the staff has, at least in my practice, and I believe in many practices across the country.

Keri Holyoak, PA-C, MPH: Absolutely. Thank you. Douglas, well said.

Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP-C: Thank you for watching this HCPLive^® Peer Exchange. If you enjoyed the content, please subscribe to our e-newsletters to receive upcoming Peer Exchange segments and other great content right in your in-box.

Transcript Edited for Clarity