Although there is no universal definition of specialty medications, there are two main factors that determine whether a medication is labeled as such: cost and complexity of treatment. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services categorize specialty medications as those having a monthly cost of at least $600. Medications acquiring additional monitoring for safety and efficacy, as well as those with special storage requirements, may also be considered specialty medications. Examples of specialty medications include: biologic agents for immune diseases, direct antiviral agents for hepatitis C treatment and enzyme replacement medications.
Specialty products are the fastest growing segment of the prescription market in the United States, accounting for nearly half of all drug spending today. Most of these prescription products are only available from specialty pharmacies, which focus on these agents to manage inventory, assist patients with access to the medications and provide comprehensive services to improve patient care. – Angelica Costanzo, Clinical Pharmacist