PharmCare Services: Transforming Pharmaceutical Care in the International Arena

In this iPMI Global Pharmacy Benefits Management in Focus Article, Johan Porto, Co-Founder and CFO at PharmCare Services, walks us through the history of PharmCare and talks about how they are transforming pharmaceutical care in the international medical and health insurance market.

Over the past decade, PharmCare Services (PCS) has emerged as a leader in transforming the international pharmacy care landscape. Our mission is to assist international clients in discovering innovative ways to redefine pharmaceutical management, focusing not only on cost reduction but also on transparency, optimization, and comprehensive therapy management. We position ourselves as unwavering partners, enabling companies to navigate an increasingly complex prescriptions environment.

An Evolving Landscape: Tackling the Surge in High-Cost Medication Expenses

The continuous rise in pharmacy costs, particularly concerning high-cost medications, presents one of the most significant challenges for international insurers. According to the 2024 Milliman Medical Index, healthcare costs for the average person increased by 6.7% from 2023 to 2024, with pharmacy costs contributing nearly half of this increase. 

At PCS, we understand that effective medication management extends beyond seeking cost-effective alternatives; it involves addressing the entire therapeutic ecosystem. From comprehending cost structures to ensuring proper patient counselling, medication traceability, and pharmaceutical follow-up, we collaborate with companies to find comprehensive solutions that reduce costs and improve outcomes.

Trends and Projections in Medication Use and Spending

Recent trends indicate significant shifts in medication use across various therapeutic areas. The 2024 Milliman Medical Index projects that healthcare costs for a hypothetical family of four will reach $32,066, with prescription drug costs increasing by 13% compared to the previous year. 

This anticipated rise in medication expenditure underscores the importance of strategic oversight and clear cost frameworks. Organizations face a progressively intricate pricing and reimbursement environment as groundbreaking therapies emerge. PCS is dedicated to supporting our partners in overcoming these challenges by providing solutions that enhance efficiency, affordability, and patient care.

Building Strong Partnerships: PCS and EmpiRx Health

As healthcare costs rise and patient needs evolve, strategic collaborations become more essential than ever in driving sustainable change. Recognizing the urgency for innovation and forging strong partnerships is key to delivering impactful solutions. This year PCS formed a significant partnership with EmpiRx Health, combining our expertise in transparent cost management with a commitment to providing high-quality services. Together, we offer insurers, brokers, and third-party administrators (TPAs) cost-effective, transparent solutions that help them achieve better results with reduced expenses. By working collaboratively with our partners, we ensure that patients and companies benefit from optimized, sustainable pharmacy practices.

The pharmacy management landscape has long been dominated by volume-driven models prioritizing profits over patient outcomes. Many traditional PBMs focus on increasing prescription volume without delivering meaningful health improvements. This misalignment has led to a broken system where international plan sponsors face rising costs, patients struggle with affordability, and true healthcare optimization remains out of reach. For example, 40% of U.S. adults have comorbidities, and 60% live with chronic diseases. Despite these challenges, many PBMs profit while patients see little benefit.

At PCS, we differentiate ourselves by delivering high-touch, personalized services that drive better outcomes. Through our partnership with EmpiRx Health, we provide a pharmacist-led, transparent, data-driven approach that ensures cost efficiency while prioritizing patient well-being. Our model is built on a foundation of trust, clarity, and continuous optimization, offering tailored solutions that address both financial and clinical needs.

Expanding Beyond Latin America: A Vision for Global Growth

While our expertise has grown in Latin America, PCS is committed to expanding its reach into new markets, including Asia and Africa. Despite the differences in healthcare systems worldwide, every one of them can benefit from cost-effective solutions that drive meaningful impact. Our business model is built on transparency and clarity, helping clients mitigate costs through thoroughly understanding processes. As we expand into these new regions, we aim to provide practical, results-driven healthcare solutions that benefit patients and companies alike.

A Shared Journey: Improving Processes and Decision-Making Together

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at PCS is collaborating with our clients. We don’t just provide services; we become trusted allies in their journey toward improvement. By offering the tools and insights needed to optimize high-cost medication management, we help our clients make decisions based on confidence and transparency. Our partnership approach ensures that every step of the way, clients gain new perspectives that allow them to identify potential gaps and discover opportunities for improvement.

A Long-Term Mission: Focusing on Life and Sustainable Care

At PCS, our mission has always been and will always be to contribute to improving life. We are dedicated to expanding our solutions to more companies, giving them a fresh perspective on managing their operations and costs. Through our transparent, reliable services, we help organizations become more efficient in cost and in their ability to deliver better healthcare outcomes.

Our commitment is clear: we are here to be a trusted ally on the ongoing journey toward more sustainable, cost-effective international pharmaceutical care.