The pandemic has shifted the politics and public opinion on health care. Where cost was a primary concern before COVID, now access to affordable innovations like vaccines is top of consumers and policy makers minds. So, as a return to normalcy appears on the horizon, the intersection of cost pressures and innovation in pharmacy is becoming a primary topic of concern in health policy. This session will review the latest in prescription drugs and pharmacy, from the science breakthroughs to the policy conversations.

Date: Thursday, March 25th, 2021

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm  PST

Panelists:

• • Donna Sullivan, PharmD: Chief Pharmacy Officer, Washington State Health Care Authority
  • Yusuf Rashid, RPh: Vice President, Pharmacy, Community Health Plan of Washington 
  • Megan McIntyre, PharmD: Director, Pharmacy Business  Services, Virginia Mason
  • Wayne Winegarden, PhD: Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Medical Economics and Innovation, Pacific Research Institute

Donna Sullivan is the Director of Pharmacy for the Washington Health Care Authority, with a focus on developing pharmacy strategies and policies related to state health care purchasing. Aside from her work with the Washington Health Care Authority, she is a Professor at the University of Washington’s School of Pharmacy. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University.

Yusuf Rashid is the Vice President of the Community Health Plan of Washington, which is a not-for-profit managed care plan founded by local community health centers in Washington. With 20 years in healthcare, Yusuf has extensive experience covering health plan managed care as well as direct patient care. Yusuf also currently serves on the Washington State Emerging Therapeutics Workgroup.

Megan McIntyre is the Senior Pharmacist Leader at Virginia Mason Medical Center. In her previous roles with Virginia Mason, she has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, Medication Use Quality Manager and Director of Pharmacy Residency programs and as a Sensei for the Virginia Mason Institute. Megan is an active contributor in several interdisciplinary committees and oversight boards.

Wayne Winegarden is a Sr. Fellow in Business & Economics, Pacific Research Institute, as well as the Director of PRI’s Center for Medical Economics and Innovation. His policy research explores the connection between macroeconomic policies, and economic outcomes, with a focus on fiscal policy and the healthcare industry. Dr. Winegarden’s columns have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Forbes.com, and USA Today.