In this episode, we look at the major flaws in fail first, or step therapy, which mandates that a patient must fail on one or more less expensive drugs before “stepping up” to another drug. 

"Anything that we do from a policy perspective, and this is the mantra of Global; Healthy Living Foundation, policies, legislations, anything that passes, the patient has to directly benefit from them,“ says Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation.

Among the highlights in this episode: 

1:46 - What is step therapy and why it's harmful to patients

3:03 - How the bottomline impacts treatment decisions and overall health outcomes 

4:06- How step therapy can set patients back on their treatment 

5:30 - Is there a better adherence to their drug treatment plan? 

6:31- What is being done about this legislatively?   

8:29 - An explanation of "Safe Step Act"

9:40 - Robert discusses his latest op-ed about how insurers should also take the oath healthcare professionals are required to take

10:58 - Conner and Robert's takeaways from this episode

Contact our hosts: 

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, rpopovian@ghlf.org 

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF, cmertens@ghlf.org 

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself to Healthcarematters@GHLF.org.

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

In this episode, we look at the major flaws in fail first, or step therapy, which mandates that a patient must fail on one or more less expensive drugs before &ldquo;stepping up&rdquo; to another drug.&nbsp;
"Anything that we do from a policy perspective, and this is the mantra of Global; Healthy Living Foundation, policies, legislations, anything that passes, the patient has to directly benefit from them,&ldquo; says Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation.
Among the highlights in this episode:&nbsp;
1:46 - What is step therapy and why it's harmful to patients
3:03 - How the bottomline impacts treatment decisions and overall health outcomes&nbsp;
4:06- How step therapy can set patients back on their treatment&nbsp;
5:30 - Is there a better adherence to their drug treatment plan?&nbsp;
6:31- What is being done about this legislatively?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
8:29 - An explanation of "Safe Step Act"
9:40 - Robert discusses his latest op-ed about how insurers should also take the oath healthcare professionals are required to take
10:58 - Conner and Robert's takeaways from this episode
Contact our hosts:&nbsp;
Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, <a href="mailto:rpopovian@ghlf.org&nbsp;">rpopovian@ghlf.org&nbsp;</a>
Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF, <a href="mailto:cmertens@ghlf.org&nbsp;">cmertens@ghlf.org&nbsp;</a>
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:Healthcarematters@GHLF.org">Healthcarematters@GHLF.org</a>.
Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on <a href="https://ghlf.org/healthcare-matters-podcast/">our website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 

Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 

The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 

www.ghlf.org

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 
Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 
The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 
www.ghlf.org

Healthcare Matters

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.

The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.
The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.