Resources & News
Health tips, medication guides, and pharmacy updates — written for patients, by our clinical team.
If your doctor recently mentioned a "specialty medication," you might be wondering what that means and how it differs from a regular pharmacy. Here's what you need to know.
Specialty medications are prescription drugs used to treat complex, chronic, or rare conditions — including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and more. Unlike standard medications, specialty drugs are often biologics made from living cells, require special handling or refrigeration, and come with complex insurance requirements.
At a standard retail pharmacy, the pharmacist dispenses your medication and answers basic questions. A specialty pharmacy goes much further. We coordinate with your doctor, handle your insurance verification and prior authorization, enroll you in any financial assistance programs you qualify for, and deliver your medication directly to your door — while providing ongoing clinical support throughout your treatment.
Specialty drugs are prescribed across many therapeutic areas: neurology (MS, epilepsy, Parkinson's), rheumatology (RA, psoriatic arthritis), oncology (targeted cancer therapies), dermatology (biologics for psoriasis), gastroenterology (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), and allergy & immunology. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, your treatment plan likely involves or will involve a specialty medication.
Starting a specialty medication can feel overwhelming — between insurance approvals, dosing schedules, and side effect monitoring, there's a lot to manage. At Sorrento, we assign a dedicated pharmacist to your care who will guide you every step of the way. You are never navigating this alone.
Questions? Call us at (818) 572-9982 or email inquiry@sorrento-rx.com
Prior authorization is one of the most frustrating parts of getting a specialty medication approved. Here is how the process works — and how our team takes it completely off your plate.
Prior authorization (PA) is a requirement from your insurance company that your doctor must get approval before they will cover a specific medication. For specialty drugs, this process is nearly universal — and can be one of the biggest sources of delay and stress for patients.
Denials can happen for many reasons: missing documentation, a medication not being on the preferred drug list, or a requirement to try a less expensive alternative first (called "step therapy"). In many cases, a denial is not the end of the road — it requires follow-up, an appeal, or additional clinical notes from your physician.
When you fill your specialty prescription with Sorrento, our team takes ownership of the entire PA process. We work directly with your prescriber's office to gather all necessary documentation, submit it to your insurer, follow up on the status, and — if needed — file an appeal on your behalf. Our goal is to get your therapy started as quickly as possible with as little burden on you as possible.
Make sure your doctor's office has our fax number (818) 279-2540, respond quickly if we reach out for additional information, and keep your insurance card and member ID handy when you first contact us. The more complete the information we have upfront, the faster we can get you approved.
Specialty medications can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per month. Here are the programs that may be available to you — and how we help you access every single one.
Most major pharmaceutical manufacturers offer co-pay cards or patient assistance programs for their specialty drugs. These programs can reduce your out-of-pocket cost dramatically — sometimes to as little as $0 per month. Eligibility varies by program, insurance type, and income level, but many patients qualify even with commercial insurance.
Numerous nonprofit foundations provide financial grants to patients with specific conditions — covering medication costs, copays, and even transportation during treatment. Organizations like the Patient Advocate Foundation, HealthWell Foundation, and disease-specific nonprofits offer grants that many patients are not aware of.
A new $2,000 out-of-pocket cap under the Inflation Reduction Act is now in effect for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. If you are on Medicare, our team can help you understand how this cap applies to your specific medications and ensure you are taking full advantage of any savings available to you.
When you transfer your prescription to Sorrento, one of our first steps is a comprehensive financial assistance review. We research every program you may qualify for, complete the applications on your behalf, and enroll you before your first fill whenever possible. We believe cost should never be a barrier to getting the care you need.
Biologic medications have transformed the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis over the past decade. If your rheumatologist has recommended a biologic, here is a comprehensive overview of what to expect.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and over time, joint damage. For patients with moderate to severe RA, biologic therapies have become the standard of care.
Unlike traditional small-molecule drugs, biologics are large, complex molecules derived from living cells. They target specific components of the immune system — such as TNF-alpha or IL-6 — that play a key role in RA inflammation. Common options include adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), tocilizumab (Actemra), and abatacept (Orencia), among others.
Biosimilars — lower-cost versions of original biologics — are now widely available and have been shown to be equally effective in clinical studies. In 2025 and 2026, biosimilar adoption has grown significantly as both payers and providers recognize their clinical value and cost advantages. Ask your rheumatologist whether a biosimilar is appropriate for your situation.
Most RA biologics are administered by self-injection (weekly or biweekly) and require refrigeration. Our pharmacists will walk you through the injection technique, storage requirements, and what to do if you miss a dose. We also coordinate with your rheumatologist on periodic lab monitoring to ensure your therapy is safe and effective.
MTM is a one-on-one service with a clinical pharmacist designed to optimize your medications and improve your health outcomes. Here is what a session looks like and who benefits most.
If you are taking multiple medications — especially specialty drugs alongside other prescriptions — it can be difficult to keep track of everything: dosing schedules, potential interactions, side effects, and whether each medication is still working as intended. MTM is a structured service designed to address all of this in a single, personalized consultation.
A clinical pharmacist conducts a comprehensive review of all your medications — including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. We look for potential drug interactions, duplicate therapies, medications that may no longer be necessary, and opportunities to improve adherence or reduce side effects. At the end of the session, you receive a personalized medication action plan in writing.
MTM is particularly valuable for patients managing multiple chronic conditions, those who see more than one specialist, patients who have recently started a new specialty drug, and anyone who feels overwhelmed by their medication regimen. It is also extremely helpful for caregivers managing medications for a family member.
MTM sessions are conducted by our licensed clinical pharmacists and can be done by phone, video, or in person at our Glendale location. Call us at (818) 572-9982 to schedule your session.
When it comes to specialty medications, not all pharmacies are the same. Here is why choosing an independent specialty pharmacy like Sorrento leads to better outcomes and a smoother experience.
At a large mail-order pharmacy, you are one of thousands of patients. At Sorrento, we know you by name, understand your health history, and maintain continuity of care throughout your treatment journey. Your dedicated pharmacist is reachable by phone and genuinely invested in your outcomes.
Independent specialty pharmacies typically process prescriptions and handle prior authorizations faster because we are focused and not handling tens of thousands of patients at once. Most of our patients receive their first fill within 24-48 hours of prior authorization approval.
We offer free delivery throughout the Los Angeles area, with the flexibility to deliver to your home, your doctor's office, or another location of your choice. We also reach out proactively about upcoming refills so you never run out of a critical medication.
Pharmacists today are increasingly stepping into roles that extend far beyond dispensing medications — offering comprehensive medication management, adherence support, and clinical services that make a measurable difference in patient outcomes. At Sorrento, this has been our philosophy from day one. We invite you to call us, email us, or have your doctor send your prescription directly — and let us show you what compassionate, expert specialty pharmacy care looks like.
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