Pharmacy's White embraces innovation in managed care pharmacy

Managed care pharmacy is a growing specialty in the world of pharmaceuticals and one Harrison College of Pharmacy student has entered a worldwide company to bring industry insight back to Auburn.

Every year one applicant from Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi is selected to participate in the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) LEO Pharmacy student shadowing day. With a total of 13 students attending from across the country, Auburn’s Asia White had the opportunity to travel to the LEO United States headquarters in Madison, New Jersey.

LEO Pharma is a researched-based independent pharmaceutical company dedicated to bettering care for those with skin conditions and their families. The AMCP LEO Pharmacy student program began in 2022 to expose students to the essential elements of pharmaceutical innovation.

“The LEO Pharma program garnered my attention because they have a goal of enhancing patients’ quality of life and healthcare outcomes, and these qualities align with my goals as an aspiring pharmacist,” said White. “I learned about various functional areas in the pharmaceutical industry such as drug development, regulatory affairs and market access. I was also able to connect with various pharmacists and pharmacy students across the nation.”

Managed care pharmacy is a specialty area where professionals develop strategies for patients, health plans and providers across pharmacy benefit design and implementation, formulary and medication utilization management, clinical programs, quality and safety program management, and promoting affordability.

White’s interest in managed care pharmacy originated from work experience and led her to join the AMCP Student Pharmacist chapter at HCOP. Now as the president of the Auburn University AMCP student chapter, White is furthering the organization’s mission through education and promotion of managed care pharmacy.

“I got involved with AMCP after getting hired for a local managed care company my first year of pharmacy school” said White. “I was able to ensure that patients remained on appropriate medications that were also cost saving through the use of prior authorizations.”

White is looking to pursue a career in either managed care, the Veterans Administration or consultant pharmacy with an emphasis on giving back to underserved areas and overcoming cost barriers associated with medications. For White, entering the world of medicine has always felt like the right path.

“I like to say that pharmacy chose me. My mother is a nurse practitioner, so she inspired me to go into health care,” said White. “I would often pick up medications for my grandmother, so I built a relationship with her pharmacist and enjoyed seeing her interactions with patients and knew I wanted to pursue a career in pharmacy.”

Originally from Phenix City, Alabama, White majored in biology at Columbus State University prior to attending pharmacy school.

“I wanted to be a part of a program that not only invests in your education, but also ensures you are prepared to practice once graduation is over,” said White. “It's also close to home, which is a plus.”