Pharmacy Insights Podcast

Revolutionizing pharmacy with AI and Advanced Technologies

The speed at which the use of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence are reshaping pharmacy benefits is only increasing. As we look at 2026, what are the most impactful changes for plan sponsors and members? Host Scott Draeger welcomes guests Optum Rx Senior Vice President Enterprise Capabilities Jen McGonigle and Optum Rx Chief Information Officer Santiago Abraham to learn about the latest developments.

The Impact of AI on Today's Pharmacy Benefits

The use of artificial intelligence has exploded into the public consciousness in recent years. While people are becoming more accustomed to the presence of AI in their personal lives, what does it mean for pharmacy care services? On the latest episode of the Pharmacy Insights Podcast, Optum Rx Senior Vice President of Clinical Consulting Scott Draeger welcomed Santiago Abraham, Chief Information Officer at Optum Rx and Sid Sahni, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Optum Rx to discuss how Optum Rx is approaching the use of AI and what that means for sponsors and users of pharmacy benefits.

New solutions to help bend the cost curve

The array of challenges faced by sponsors of the pharmacy benefit are constantly evolving. To help plan sponsors get a sense of the emerging options available to help them, Optum Rx Senior Vice President of Clinical Consulting Scott Draeger welcomed Mike McGinnity, Senior Vice President of Growth and Retention at Optum Rx and Sid Sahni, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Optum Rx to discuss the current state of innovation in pharmacy care services on the latest episode of the Pharmacy Insights Podcast.

The State of Pharmacy Regulations

Pharmacy Benefit Managers have long been subject to a broad array of regulatory requirements. Yet, a flurry of new legislation and rulemaking has emerged in recent years – some of which threatens to undermine longstanding practices PBMs use to save members and plan sponsors money and ensure quality of care. To help bring clarity to this burst of activity and sort through the implication for patients and plan sponsors alike, Optum Rx Senior Vice President of Clinical Consulting Scott Draeger welcomed Marissa Schlaifer, Vice President of Policy for Optum and Sara Strothman, Vice President of Policy for Optum Rx for a wide-ranging discussion on the Pharmacy Insights Podcast.

Biosimilars boom: The next era of adoption

On this episode of the Pharmacy Insights podcast, host Scott Draeger welcomes Optum Rx SVP of Industry Relations,  Jamey Millar and Optum Rx SVP of formulary management, Savitha Vivian to discuss the implications of new biosimilar alternatives to expensive biologic drugs.