Diplomat unveils new rare disease COE program

Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. launched its new Rare Disease Center of Excellence (COE) program Wednesday, offering a high-touch communication service specifically for patients with rare diseases.

In operation since 1975, Diplomat is the nation’s largest specialty pharmacy, focusing on medication management programs for people with complex diseases, such as hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, HIV and more.

"We've launched new efforts to amplify patient support and leverage our team's expertise in managing orphan and ultra-orphan therapies," Gary Kadlec, president of Diplomat, said. "Our new model improves efficiencies and helps promote therapy access for patients, expedites new medicinal launches and eases the burden for every patient on that journey."

The COE is a custom-built program that allows a team of specialists to establish one-on-one relationships with patients who possess a high risk of disease transmission. The program offers patients a single point of contact; a direct line to a specialist; and allows doctors, nurses and caregivers to break down the barriers that often limit access to medication.

"To support patients in their therapy as part of our pharmaceutical care, we also have an enhanced nursing component," Kadlec said. "We recently added an associate director of nursing to our team to focus our high-touch services and drive more nursing care intervention in one-on-one discussions with patients, for care that is truly customized to a patient's needs."