Pharmacy Insights Podcast

Transparency in pharmacy benefits is essential to helping employers better make more informed decisions for their plans and the people they serve. In the latest episode of the Optum Rx Pharmacy Insights Podcast, Sarah King, President of our Employer Services Division at Optum Rx and Tracy Spencer, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Optum Rx examine how true transparency is more than just a buzzword.

Guests: Ryan Perkins, VP Artificial Intelligence Capabilities at Optum, and Sarah Greenwell, Sr. Director Digital Product at Optum Rx

How can AI make pharmacy benefits easier to navigate? Our experts discuss how AI is helping create a simpler, more connected member experience. From answering benefit questions faster to improving cost transparency and personalized support, learn how tools like Optum Assistant are reducing friction while keeping people at the center of care.

Kicking off the fifth season of the Pharmacy Insights Podcast, new host Dr. John Wig, Chief Clinical Officer for Optum Rx, welcomes American Diabetes Association CEO Charles Henderson for a broad ranging discussion. Together they delve into the evolving standard of care in diabetes and touch on everything from new medicines and medical devices to the need for improved access and education around diabetes.

The speed at which the use of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence are reshaping pharmacy benefits is only increasing. As we look at 2026, what are the most impactful changes for plan sponsors and members? Host Scott Draeger welcomes guests Optum Rx Senior Vice President Enterprise Capabilities Jen McGonigle and Optum Rx Chief Information Officer Santiago Abraham to learn about the latest developments.

Every year, scores of new, innovative and expensive prescription medications advance from the drug development pipeline into the marketplace. Which ones have the greatest potential to make a meaningful impact for patients and plan sponsors?  
On the latest episode of the Pharmacy Insights Podcast, Optum Rx Senior Vice President of Clinical Consulting Scott Draeger dives into to the latest drug pipeline developments with Sara Guidry, Optum Rx Senior Director of Pipeline and Drug Surveillance and Arash Sadeghi, Optum Rx Clinical Pharmacist for Pipeline and Drug Surveillance. Touching on everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s, together they sift through the noise to identify the new drugs most likely to fill unmet medical needs and create potential financial implications for sponsors of the pharmacy benefit.