The First 14 Days: How Specialty Pharmacy Programs Drive Treatment Initiation and Adherence

The moment a physician writes a prescription for a specialty medication was once considered the defining step toward treatment success. Today, as specialty medicines account for an expanding share of healthcare, what happens in the days that follow has proven equally consequential. According to Walgreens查看公司主页 Specialty Pharmacy, the first 14 days after a prescription is written represent a critical window — one in which treatment either progresses toward that first dose or stalls amid a cascade of access, affordability, and coordination barriers.

"The script is either going to turn into that first dose — or something gets in the way," said Lisa Mymo, senior director of pharma and financial services at Walgreens查看公司主页. "And most of those barriers present at the beginning of the treatment journey."

The stakes are substantial. Up to half of all patients do not take medicines as prescribed, and in certain specialty categories, the numbers are more stark: abandonment rates can reach up to 67% for oral cancer therapies (搜索)搜索该药品 and over 50% for anti-inflammatory drugs (搜索)搜索该药品. When patient out-of-pocket costs exceed $250, specialty prescription abandonment rates can approach 60-70% and climb higher from there.

Day 1: Early Engagement and Trust-Building

For patients new to specialty care, the journey begins with an onboarding contact — a call or text that provides critical information, sets expectations, and guides patients toward starting treatment. Nearly 95% of specialty patients are contacted via text or call within one day of the pharmacy receiving their prescription.

"A lot of patients aren't used to interacting with a specialty pharmacy," Mymo said. "It's very important to notify patients as soon as we receive their prescription, let them know where it is, and keep them informed. We want to build trust and confidence during a time where they may feel uncertain or overwhelmed."

Days 1-5: Navigating Prior Authorization and Access

As prescriptions move through the approval phase, the risk of losing momentum is real. Some 94% of physicians report that prior authorization contributes to care delays at least sometimes, underscoring how administrative hurdles can derail treatment initiation.

Behind the scenes, specialty pharmacy teams work with providers to identify required documentation, complete and submit prior authorization materials, and coordinate with payers. For one chronic inflammatory medication (搜索)搜索该药品, a manufacturer contracted with Walgreens查看公司主页 Specialty Pharmacy to deploy dedicated Pharmacy Operations Program Managers — specialists providing end-to-end referral oversight and navigating payer challenges. In the first year, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy ranked first in the manufacturer's network for both conversion and turnaround time, with conversion up 43% and average turnaround time two days faster than network peers.

Days 1-7: Addressing Affordability

Affordability remains one of the most significant friction points early in the patient journey. Walgreens查看公司主页 Specialty Pharmacy deploys dedicated support teams to connect patients with copay assistance programs, manufacturer-sponsored programs, and advocacy resources. The impact is measurable: in oncology, 56% of patients pay a $0 copay for both their oncology therapy and comorbid conditions.

"It's really incumbent on the pharmacy to make sure that the patient is aware of any programs that can benefit them," said Mymo. "As manufacturers think about launch and access strategy, specialty pharmacy teams can play an important role in helping patients navigate coverage and affordability barriers so they can get on therapy as quickly as possible."

Days 2-14: Starting Therapy and Continued Support

Even after access and affordability hurdles are resolved, new challenges emerge — side effects, dose adjustments, and uncertainty about when symptoms warrant concern. Walgreens查看公司主页 Specialty Pharmacy deploys specialized therapeutic area teams trained in the nuances of each medical condition, from oncology patients managing side effects to patients with bleeding disorders requiring ongoing monitoring.

The pharmacy's RightGuide notifications platform enables manufacturers to deliver co-branded, customized content and brand-specific resources. "When patients receive customized, relevant treatment information when they need it — instead of inundating them with too much information at one time — they're more likely to engage and retain it," said Kathy Kokoski, director of pharma programs operations at Walgreens查看公司主页.

Whole-Patient Oncology Support

In oncology, the complexity of care has intensified as treatments shift beyond traditional chemotherapy and radiation toward patient-led regimens often managed at home. Walgreens查看公司主页 Specialty Pharmacy's Specialty360 model combines oncology-trained pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, and benefits specialists to support patients throughout treatment.

The model achieves 92% medication adherence compared to an 80% industry benchmark. "Patients aren't just their cancer (搜索)搜索该疾病 condition," said Laly Havern, director of clinical pharmacy strategy, oncology at Walgreens查看公司主页. "They may be struggling with other conditions or have financial barriers, and we're focused on the whole patient to meet their unique needs."

Walgreens查看公司主页 screens 100% of oncology patients for treatment-related symptoms during every consultation. Of those screened, 47% reported not having an antinausea medication prescribed to them despite clinical guidelines recommending one. The pharmacy also conducts ongoing depression screenings, coordinates fertility consultations — roughly 20% of patients had not discussed fertility options before the care team intervened — and recently launched a dietitian program addressing oncology-related nutritional challenges.

"The biggest priority is ensuring all the pieces work in coordination during those first 14 days," said Mymo. "Patients increasingly want to engage digitally, and the ability to communicate with them every step of the way helps keep them informed and connected over time."

As specialty therapies become more advanced and personalized, the patient experience surrounding treatment is proving critical to long-term success. The future of specialty care, Walgreens查看公司主页 contends, will depend not only on breakthrough medicines but on how effectively patients are supported through the complexities of accessing, starting, and staying on treatment.