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Specialty Medications July 10, 2026

What Are Specialty Medications — and Do You Need One?

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.

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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 Sorrento Specialty Pharmacy, we assign a dedicated pharmacist to your care from day one — guiding you from your first fill through every refill and everything in between.

How specialty medications differ from standard prescriptions

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 financial assistance programs you qualify for, and deliver your medication directly to your door — while providing ongoing clinical support.

Conditions commonly treated with specialty medications

Specialty drugs span 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 very likely involves — or will involve — a specialty medication.

What to expect when you start a specialty medication

A pharmacist selecting a medication from the shelves

A dedicated pharmacist reviews your medication regimen and care plan.

Starting a specialty medication can feel overwhelming. Between insurance approvals, dosing schedules, and side effect monitoring, there's a lot to manage. At Sorrento, a dedicated pharmacist is assigned to your care from day one and will guide you every step of the way. You are never navigating this alone.

Why choose a specialty pharmacy over a retail chain?

Specialty pharmacies are specifically designed to handle the complexity of these medications. We maintain special storage conditions, have clinical expertise in your condition, coordinate closely with your entire care team, and provide the kind of personalized attention that a high-volume retail pharmacy simply cannot offer.

Questions about your specialty medication? Call us at (818) 572-9982 or email inquiry@sorrento-rx.com — we are happy to help.

Ready to get started with Sorrento?

Our team serves patients throughout California with specialty medications, prior authorizations, financial assistance, and free delivery right to your door.

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