Giving back is good for the soul
From the Editor
Dr. Schwarzenberger is the former physician editor of DermWorld.
By Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, FAAD, September 1, 2022
Many of our colleagues donate time to charitable or humanitarian causes. Some work close to home, others reach out to help those in need in more distant areas. I was heartened during recent months to see how quickly many of our dermatology colleagues came together through social media to help provide medical supplies to Ukraine; the generosity and dedication to the cause was very inspiring and reassured me that I am, indeed, in the right profession, surrounded by good people. This month in DermWorld, we share with you the inspiring work of several of our fellow dermatologists who have offered medical care in relief efforts both at home and abroad. We realize their stories are only the tip of the iceberg, as I know many of you have similar experiences to share. I am sorry we could not include them all in this edition, but I do offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation for all that you do! You inspire us all to be better people!
We conclude our two-part feature on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) this month with a highly informative and eye-opening article by contributing writer Ruth Carol, which explores the many tactics used by PBMs to keep drug costs high and enhance profits for the relevant parties. Some of these tactics, such as requiring step therapy or prior authorization before approving medications, are well known to dermatologists. Other tactics, such as the use of copay clawbacks, may be less transparent, but nonetheless have the same effect of raising drug prices. The impact of these practices on both our patients and our medical practices has been significant, but the good news is that there seems to be a growing demand for transparency and fairness in drug pricing. Regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Trade Commission, are looking into PBM roles, and some states have offered legislation to protect their citizens from unfair and deceptive practices. The AAD/A has been following the topic closely, supporting federal legislation that creates transparency and accountability. The issues are far from resolved but know that our organization is fighting a good fight on behalf of all of us.
COVID dramatically affected our practices, and it may be a long time before some of us are willing to shed our masks (if we ever do!). However, there is often a silver lining in even the darkest of clouds. In our Answers in Practice column this month, dermatologist Sarah Jackson shares with us some of the positive changes the pandemic brought to her practice. I enjoyed reading about her perspectives and hope you will too. Sometimes, change is good.
If you accept Medicare payments, you are hopefully already familiar with MIPS, the Merit-based Incentive Payment program. The next iteration of MIPS will soon be upon us: the MIPS Value Pathways, or MVPs. This new reporting framework starts in 2023. I encourage everyone involved to familiarize yourself with the concept, and rest assured that your Academy will be here to help guide us through the transition!
I would like to end my column this month by giving a shout out to my wonderful (and, yes, I am biased) Editorial Advisory Workgroup. This incredible group of volunteers searches the literature for key articles and issues of interest to highlight, resulting in two of our most enduringly popular columns: What’s Hot and Clinical Applications. I learn something new from them every month, and it is really a privilege to have them on our team! Please thank them next time you see them!
