DETROIT — The KSP, McLaren’s Specialty Pharmacy, has been recognized as a 2024 Specialty Pharmacy Pioneer in the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission’s (URAC) Leaders in Performance Measurement (LPM) recognition program.

According to the Karmanos Institute, KSP offers medications for patients who need high-cost treatments. Treatments through KSP include prescriptions for cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, neurological disorders, HIV and others. These are offered at affordable rates with resources like financial assistance programs.

“The entire team at KSP does a tremendous job at ensuring a seamless continuum of care through each patient’s therapy journey,” said Stephen Kaurala, PharmD, MBA, BCOP, KSP pharmacy manager, in a press release. “Our commitment to the patients we serve, wanting to make a difference while we help with their health care needs, drives us to perform above and beyond, and has led us to receive this honor for three years in a row.”

“When evaluating specialty pharmacies, the URAC’s Quality, Research and Measurement Team considered data submitted in 2024, which was collected between January 1 and December 31, 2023,” according to Karmanos. “Along with the data, specialty pharmacies must meet specific criteria, including holding a current and full URAC accreditation status, submitting measures on time for the reporting period, and participating in key activities beyond mandatory requirements.”

“As McLaren’s preferred specialty pharmacy, KSP fills the need for many patients throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Florida who need unique medications not found at their local pharmacy,” said Surender Kanaparthi, R.Ph., MBA, DPLA, FACHE, chief pharmacy officer of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital. “KSP staff have worked diligently to improve the health and well-being of the patients McLaren serves. I commend our team for their dedication to quality and service and exceeding what it means to be a Pioneer by URAC.”

KSP has achieved the URAC Specialty Pharmacy reaccreditation in August 2023 and in 2020. This award is based on operations and infrastructure, risk management standards, performance monitoring and improvement, consumer protection and empowerment, pharmacy operations, medication distribution, reporting measures to the URAC and patient service and communication, according to Karmanos.

–Information provided by the Karmanos Institute.