Fresh from AMCP’s annual conference in Houston, FMH’s Senior Client Services Manager Justin Baselice, PharmD and Director of Clinical Product Strategy Tim Mizak, PharmD, MS, MBA, share their main takeaways and what this year’s gathering means for the future of managed care pharmacy.
From the moment we walked into the conference center in Houston, the energy was undeniable. The conversations were sharp, the sessions packed, and the poster floor overflowing with ideas. It quickly became apparent to me that AMCP’s annual conference isn’t just a gathering of managed care professionals—it’s where the future of pharmacy, policy, and patient care is being actively shaped.
Throughout the week, we were struck by the level of thought leadership and passion for solving some of the most complex challenges in healthcare. From policy shifts to cutting-edge pharmacy strategies, the discussions were timely and deeply relevant to our work at FMH, where we focus on specialty pharmacy payer empowerment.
Here are four key themes that stuck with us
- The Inflation Reduction Act is a game changer—but the impacts are still unfolding. A standout session explored how the IRA’s Drug Price Negotiation Program could reshape incentives across Medicare Part D—affecting payers, PBMs, 340B covered entities, and most importantly, patients. The big question? How to manage shifting formulary dynamics without compromising access. At FMH, this reinforces our belief in staying agile and closely aligned with our partners as policy continues to evolve.
- Biosimilar transitions are proving their value. Several compelling posters focused on real-world outcomes from adalimumab biosimilar conversions. When done right—with clear communication and thoughtful support—biosimilar transitions can reduce cost without sacrificing adherence or outcomes. For FMH, which often helps operationalize these transitions, it’s validating to see the evidence backing this strategy.
- Standardized specialty pharmacy metrics are within reach. In a session on consensus building in specialty pharmacy, a multisite national effort was outlined to standardize reporting measures using modified Delphi methodology. It’s an important step toward consistency and accountability in specialty care—and aligns well with our own focus on performance-driven network strategies.
- Artificial Intelligence is here, there, and everywhere. The presence and impact of artificial intelligence were impossible to ignore—it surfaced in nearly every conversation, whether centered on its applications in managed care pharmacy or its influence on daily life. The conference kicked off with a dynamic pre-conference session on AI in Managed Care Pharmacy, where industry leaders shared insights, real-world examples, and live demos showcasing how AI is enhancing clinical research, streamlining operations, and transforming patient engagement and care delivery. Throughout the event, AI was framed as both inevitable and essential. Even beyond pharmacy, nearly every discussion touched on how AI is reshaping the way we work, think, and interact—underscoring its growing relevance across industries and in everyday routines.
We’d be remiss not to mention the next gen pharmacy leaders at the conference. AMCP has a well-earned reputation for spotlighting emerging talent, and we were inspired by the residents and student pharmacists we met and saw presenting their research. Their work—on everything from formulary outcomes to real-world patient data—was thoughtful, rigorous, and deeply solutions-focused. If this group represents the future of managed care pharmacy, we’re in great hands.
Our biggest takeaway from the conference? Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress in managed care. Whether it’s policy, pharmacy operations, or patient experience, the most promising ideas at AMCP centered on working better together. And across the board, one thing was clear: payers are looking to get creative—rethinking old models, embracing innovation, and finding smarter ways to save without sacrificing quality.
It’s safe to say we both left AMCP feeling energized—not only by what we learned, but by the sense of shared purpose across the industry. Can’t wait for AMCP 2026.