Join me as I moderate a July 9 PQA Quality Forum Webinar on integrating pharmacy into AI innovation and governance. Our speakers will be PQA Board Chair Jeff Rochon, who is Executive Director of the Pharmacy Health Information Technology Collaborative, and a representative from the Coalition for Health AI.
The PQA Quality Forum Webinar is a recurring series on quality in medication use featuring best practices, emerging trends and initiatives by PQA, its members and the industry to improve quality and patient outcomes. Learn more about our July 9 event below.
We also highlight our members’ perspectives on Medicare payment arrangements, drug shortages and the CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program. If you have news you’d like for us to spotlight in an upcoming Five For Friday, send us an email!
— Tammy Malm, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, PQA Director, Education
Comparing Outcomes among Medicare Payment Arrangements
A recently published study from UnitedHealth Group‘s Optum evaluated the effect of different payment arrangements on care quality and outcomes. In the retrospective cohort analysis of dually eligible beneficiaries, outpatient quality was tracked via pharmacy measures of high-risk medication use and medication adherence using the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set and via office visit volume.
Managing Drug Shortages
A recent survey found that 97% of independent pharmacy owners and managers reported actively dealing with a drug shortage. According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the U.S. currently has approximately 200 active drug shortages as of 2026, with controlled substances representing 15% of shortages and among the most disruptive for independent pharmacy patients.
Advising Pharmacies on Bridge Program Rollout
NACDS is advising chain pharmacy members on the upcoming launch of the CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program, a temporary demonstration that will provide eligible Medicare beneficiaries with access to certain medications beginning July 1. Participating pharmacies will play a key role in helping beneficiaries obtain medications covered under the program..
Integrating Pharmacy into AI Innovation and Governance
Join us for the next PQA Quality Forum Webinar on July 9, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET. Jeff Rochon, Executive Director at Pharmacy Health Information Technology Collaborative (PHiT) and Anthony DiDonato, Program Manager at Coalition for Health AI, will address integrating pharmacy and AI to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Innovation in health artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding across the U.S. system, including the development and governance of tools to identify, engage and support patient care. The Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) is a multi-stakeholder nonprofit advancing the responsible development, implementation, and oversight of AI in healthcare through practical guidance and work groups focused on topics such as AI governance, risk classification, and emerging AI technologies.
The Pharmacy Health Information Technology Collaborative (PHIT) complements this work by focusing on AI applications in pharmacy practice. Through its Clinical Workflow, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Innovation (CAD) Work Group, PHIT is exploring pharmacy-specific AI use cases, emerging technologies and opportunities to bring pharmacy perspectives into CHAI’s broader initiatives.
Together, CHAI and PHIT are working to advance the responsible use of AI to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This webinar will provide a window into CHAI and PHIT’s work and provide members with opportunities to get involved. Register today!
Your Next Engagement Opportunities
Network, Learn and Collaborate with PQA
- Join us for the next PQA Quality Forum Webinar on July 9, 1-2 p.m. ET. Jeff Rochon of the Pharmacy Health Information Technology Collaborative and Anthony DiDonato from the Coalition for Health AI will explore Integrating Pharmacy into AI Innovation and Governance. Register today!
- Join us for the 3rd Quarter PQA Member Webinar on July 29, 1-2 p.m. ET. PQA Member Webinars share current quality measurement and research updates with members. This webinar will feature updates on PQA projects, commonly asked questions and engagement opportunities for members. Learn more.
- Save the date for the 2026 PQA Leadership Summit, November 5-6, in Arlington, Va. The summit convenes thought leaders, key decision makers, and quality stakeholders and is an invitation-only event.