Article
Industry Insights: Mark L. Baum, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Harrow
Optometric Management
June 2, 2025
Vol 60(5), Issue June 2025
Page(s): 9
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"Title": "Industry Insights: Mark L. Baum, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Harrow",
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"Description": "Harrow founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark L. Baum says he’s passionate about patient access to needed treatments. ",
"BodyContent": "Harrow founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark L. Baum says he’s passionate about patient access to needed treatments. “I think it’s our moral responsibility as pharmaceutical companies to ensure that as many patients as is reasonably possible can get access to a medication that can really benefit them,” he says. Baum has most recently backed this up with the Vevye Access for All program (https://bit.ly/HarrowVevyeProgram), which recently expanded to allow Klarity-C (compounded cyclosporine 0.1%, ImprimsRx, a compounding subsidiary of Harrow) users to switch to Vevye for the same cost. Here, he answers questions about the program. A: I make a habit of visiting doctors’ offices before our salespeople do, so I can schmooze with patients in the waiting room, allied health staff, and doctors. Doing so provides a real sense of what’s happening when it comes to issues, such as patient access. Over and over, patient access to Vevye (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.1%) was being hindered by prior authorizations and so-called “step therapy,” among other issues, so we created the program to enable patients to get what their eyecare provider prescribed. A: In addition to facilitating access to Vevye, I would say that the program can reduce a patient’s overall out-of-pocket costs for dry eye disease medications because they’re going to get the drug that was prescribed for them vs having to try several drugs until they can get it. Regarding the practice benefits, the program removes prescribing restrictions, particularly for Medicare Part D patients. Also, through our recent expansion of the program, Klarity-C patients can access Vevye for $59 per bottle, including refills, which is 50% off the market price. Additionally, the program can reduce the administrative burden of prior authorizations. A: Harrow has built an efficient portal through PhilRx, where the doctor can quickly and efficiently change their patients’ prescriptions to Vevye, and it only needs to be done once, even for refills. We are also looking to add partner pharmacies to this program, so stay tuned. OM",
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"Summary": "<h5>Objective:</h5><p>To enhance patient access to necessary medications and reduce costs associated with dry eye disease treatments.</p><h5>Key Findings:</h5><ul><li>Patient access to Vevye was previously hindered by prior authorizations and step therapy.</li><li>The program offers Vevye at $59 per bottle, significantly lower than the market price.</li><li>The initiative reduces the need for patients to try multiple medications before receiving the prescribed treatment.</li></ul><h5>Interpretation:</h5><p>The Vevye Access for All program addresses critical barriers to medication access, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.</p><h5>Limitations:</h5><ul><li>The program's effectiveness may vary based on individual patient circumstances.</li><li>Further expansion and partnerships with pharmacies are still in development.</li></ul><h5>Conclusion:</h5><p>Harrow's initiatives reflect a commitment to improving patient access and affordability in the pharmaceutical industry.</p>",
"SummaryUrl": "https://www.mdspire.com/article-page/summary?id=6e1328a4-18a1-4563-acb6-f750b3449202&pub=Optometric Management&ext=1",
"Notecard": [
"Mark L. Baum emphasizes the moral responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to ensure patient access to beneficial medications.",
"The Vevye Access for All program allows Klarity-C users to switch to Vevye at the same cost, enhancing patient access.",
"Baum actively engages with patients and healthcare providers to understand and address barriers to accessing Vevye.",
"The program reduces out-of-pocket costs for patients and eliminates prescribing restrictions, especially for Medicare Part D.",
"Harrow's efficient portal through PhilRx simplifies prescription changes to Vevye, streamlining the process for healthcare providers."
],
"NotecardUrl": "https://www.mdspire.com/article-page/takeaway?id=6e1328a4-18a1-4563-acb6-f750b3449202&pub=Optometric Management&ext=1",
"Report": "<h2>Clinical Report: Harrow's Vevye Access for All Program and Patient Access</h2>\n<h3>Overview</h3><p>Harrow's Vevye Access for All program aims to enhance patient access to Vevye (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.1%) by reducing costs and administrative burdens associated with prior authorizations. The program allows patients using Klarity-C to switch to Vevye at a significantly reduced price, promoting adherence to prescribed treatments for dry eye disease.</p>\n<h3>Background</h3><p>Access to effective treatments for dry eye disease is critical for patient outcomes, particularly given the challenges posed by prior authorizations and step therapy protocols. The introduction of programs like Vevye Access for All addresses these barriers, ensuring that patients receive the medications their healthcare providers prescribe. This initiative is particularly relevant in the context of rising healthcare costs and the need for improved patient access to essential therapies.</p>\n<h3>Data Highlights</h3><p>No numerical data provided in the article.</p>\n<h3>Key Findings</h3><ul><li>The Vevye Access for All program enables patients to switch from Klarity-C to Vevye for $59 per bottle, a 50% reduction from the market price.</li><li>The program aims to reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients by facilitating access to prescribed medications without the need for multiple trials of different drugs.</li><li>Harrow's initiative addresses administrative burdens related to prior authorizations, particularly for Medicare Part D patients.</li><li>Efficient prescription management is supported through the PhilRx portal, allowing for streamlined prescription changes.</li><li>Harrow is exploring partnerships with additional pharmacies to expand the program's reach.</li></ul>\n<h3>Clinical Implications</h3><p>Healthcare providers can leverage the Vevye Access for All program to enhance patient adherence to prescribed treatments for dry eye disease. By reducing financial and administrative barriers, this initiative may lead to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.</p>\n<h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The Vevye Access for All program represents a significant step towards improving patient access to necessary treatments for dry eye disease, addressing both cost and administrative challenges faced by patients and providers.</p>\n<h3>References</h3><ol>\n<li><a href=\"https://retinalphysician.com/news/2025/harrow-and-cencora-partner-to-launch-harrow-cares-program/\">Retinal Physician, 2025 -- Harrow and Cencora Partner to Launch Harrow Cares Program</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://www.ophthalmologymanagement.com/issues/2025/june/industry-insider\">Ophthalmology Management, 2025 -- Dr. Amir H. Shojaei</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://ophthalmologymanagement.com/news/2024/harrow-launches-access-and-affordability-program/\">Ophthalmology Management, 2024 -- Harrow Launches Access and Affordability Program</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://www.guidelinecentral.com/guideline/10114?utm_source=openai\">Guideline Central, 2024 -- AAO Dry Eye Syndrome Guideline Summary 2024 Preferred Practice Pattern</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10080403/?utm_source=openai\">PMC, 2023 -- Efficacy and Safety of a Water-Free Topical Cyclosporine, 0.1%, Solution for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Dry Eye Disease: The ESSENCE-2 Randomized Clinical Trial</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://ophthalmologymanagement.com/news/2025/harrow-announces-closing-of-acquisition-of-melt-pharmaceuticals\">Ophthalmology Management — Harrow Announces Closing of Acquisition of Melt Pharmaceuticals</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://www.guidelinecentral.com/guideline/10114?utm_source=openai\">AAO Dry Eye Syndrome Guideline Summary 2024 Preferred Practice Pattern - Guideline Central</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10080403/?utm_source=openai\">Efficacy and Safety of a Water-Free Topical Cyclosporine, 0.1%, Solution for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Dry Eye Disease: The ESSENCE-2 Randomized Clinical Trial - PMC</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1089/jop.2024.0169?utm_source=openai\">Safety and Efficacy of 0.1% Cyclosporine Solutions in Dry Eye Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials - Yuri Aleksander-Ivanov, Dillan Cunha Amaral, Lidia Cheidde, Gabriel Nery Lima, Carolina Carvalho Soares Valentim, Michel Sebba Chater, Denisse J. Mora-Paez, Jaime Guedes, 2025</a></li>\n</ol>",
"Scorecard": "<h2>Clinical Scorecard: Industry Insights: Mark L. Baum, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Harrow</h2>\n\n<h3>At a Glance</h3>\n<table>\n <thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>Detail</th></tr></thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td><strong>Condition</strong></td><td>Dry Eye Disease</td></tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Key Mechanisms</strong></td><td>Access facilitation to prescribed medications, reduction of administrative burdens.</td></tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Target Population</strong></td><td>Patients requiring treatment for dry eye disease, particularly Medicare Part D patients.</td></tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Care Setting</strong></td><td>Outpatient settings, including eyecare providers' offices.</td></tr>\n </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<h3>Key Highlights</h3>\n<ul><li>Vevye Access for All program expands access to Vevye for Klarity-C users.</li><li>Patients can switch to Vevye for the same cost as Klarity-C.</li><li>Program reduces out-of-pocket costs and administrative burdens for patients.</li><li>Efficient prescription change process through PhilRx portal.</li><li>50% reduction in market price for Vevye at $59 per bottle.</li></ul>\n\n<h3>Guideline-Based Recommendations</h3>\n<h4>Diagnosis</h4>\n<ul><li>Assess patient need for dry eye disease treatment.</li></ul>\n<h4>Management</h4>\n<ul><li>Facilitate access to Vevye through the Vevye Access for All program.</li></ul>\n<h4>Monitoring & Follow-up</h4>\n<ul><li>Monitor patient access and adherence to prescribed medications.</li></ul>\n<h4>Risks</h4>\n<ul><li>Prior authorizations and step therapy may hinder access.</li></ul>\n\n<h3>Patient & Prescribing Data</h3>\n<p>Patients with dry eye disease, especially those on Medicare Part D.</p>\n<p>Switching to Vevye can reduce overall treatment costs and improve access.</p>\n\n<h3>Clinical Best Practices</h3>\n<ul><li>Engage with patients and healthcare providers to understand access issues.</li><li>Utilize the PhilRx portal for efficient prescription management.</li><li>Stay informed about program expansions and partner pharmacies.</li></ul>\n\n<h3>References</h3>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://bit.ly/HarrowVevyeProgram\">Vevye Access for All program</a></li></ul>",
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"TopInstitutions": {
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"methodology_summary": "Institutions are ranked based on their known leadership in ophthalmology research, dry eye disease clinical trials, and innovations in patient access programs for ocular surface diseases.",
"institutions": [
{
"name": "Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary",
"city": "Boston",
"state": "MA",
"score": 100.0,
"rank": 1,
"key_strengths": "Massachusetts Eye and Ear is a world leader in ophthalmic research and clinical care, with extensive clinical trials and innovations in dry eye disease treatments and patient access programs.",
"specialties": [
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"Dry Eye Disease",
"Cornea and External Disease"
],
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"Home to the Schepens Eye Research Institute, a leading center for ocular surface disease research.",
"Conducts numerous clinical trials on cyclosporine and other dry eye therapies."
]
},
{
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"city": "Miami",
"state": "FL",
"score": 92.0,
"rank": 2,
"key_strengths": "Bascom Palmer is consistently ranked as a top ophthalmology center with a strong focus on dry eye disease research and clinical innovation, including patient-centered care models.",
"specialties": [
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"Dry Eye Disease",
"Cornea"
],
"data_points": [
"Leads clinical trials on novel dry eye treatments including cyclosporine formulations.",
"Known for multidisciplinary approaches to improving patient access and outcomes."
]
},
{
"name": "Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute",
"city": "Baltimore",
"state": "MD",
"score": 88.0,
"rank": 3,
"key_strengths": "Wilmer Eye Institute is renowned for its research in ocular surface diseases and development of therapies improving patient access and adherence to dry eye treatments.",
"specialties": [
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],
"data_points": [
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"Active in programs addressing barriers to medication access."
]
},
{
"name": "University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Ophthalmology",
"city": "San Francisco",
"state": "CA",
"score": 85.0,
"rank": 4,
"key_strengths": "UCSF Ophthalmology is a leader in clinical research and patient access initiatives for dry eye disease, focusing on innovative therapies and reducing treatment barriers.",
"specialties": [
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],
"data_points": [
"Conducts extensive research on cyclosporine and other immunomodulatory treatments.",
"Engages in patient-centered programs to improve medication affordability."
]
}
]
},
"TopicCommentary": null,
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"bio": "Jennifer Kirby is managing editor for Corneal Physician, where she covers ophthalmology news for eye care professionals. Her work includes reporting on corneal transplantation trends, keratoplasty techniques, Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, and cataract surgery patient care.",
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