Former FDA Commissioner/CMS Administrator Dr. Mark McClellan to Be Keynote Speaker at Inaugural Crossroads Conference

McClellan, Director, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, heads list of Pharma and Medicaid experts slated to lead three-day conference on patient access to medication, healthcare reform and pharmaceutical trends


NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artia Solutions announced today that Mark McClellan, MD, PhD - former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator - will be the keynote speaker for its inaugural Crossroads, An Artia Solutions Conference. The three-day conference will bring together Medicaid pharmacy administrators, drug manufacturers, healthcare providers, payers, patients and other key stakeholders to drive innovation and explore issues impacting patient access to medications. Crossroads will outline major issues that challenge U.S. health leaders, and emphasize the pressing need for collaborative solutions.

“As the only person to have led both CMS and the FDA, Dr. McClellan brings a unique perspective to the cross-industry audience attending the conference, and we are thrilled to have him as the keynote speaker for our inaugural year,” said George Kitchens, president of Artia Solutions. “Given his vast knowledge of the FDA and CMS, Dr. McClellan will be able to share invaluable insights into a multitude of issues related to patient access to pharmaceuticals and Medicaid coverage of newly-developed drugs. We cannot imagine a better perspective to coalesce our robust Crossroads agenda.”

Dr. McClellan is the first person to have served as both Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (2002-2004) and Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2004-2006). He is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Arrow Award for Outstanding Research in Health Economics. Dr. McClellan currently serves as the Robert J. Margolis Professor of Business, Medicine and Policy, and Director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, which develops and implements new health reform at Duke University. Dr. McClellan also served as a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors under President George W. Bush and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy under President Bill Clinton.

At the conference, Dr. McClellan will address how to successfully navigate the medical, economic and social issues surrounding current patient access policy, while also discussing ways in which consumers can take better ownership of their treatment.

Crossroads will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 9 at the brand-new JW Marriott in downtown Nashville. Artia anticipates hosting Crossroads annually to explore crucial Medicaid issues, including pharmaceutical trends, healthcare reform, federal and state regulations and state concerns. For more information on Crossroads or to register to attend, visit www.artiacrossroads.com.

ABOUT ARTIA SOLUTIONS, LLC
Artia Solutions, LLC specializes in managing pharmaceutical access in the Medicaid marketplace. The organization helps pharmaceutical companies navigate complex and changing government regulations, develop new drug launch strategies, maintain or improve current access, design financial rebate models and resolve clinical or reimbursement issues. From long-term strategic planning to day-to-day PDL bid tracking, analysis, and submission, the services offered are customizable given the needs and goals of the client. Additionally, Artia Solutions provides clinical support and positioning, new drug launch, Medicaid reimbursement assistance and market surveys. For more information on the Tallahassee-based consulting firm, visit www.artiacrossroads.com.

CONTACT:           Francie Fisher, Finn Partners
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