Meet Lauren, a patient living with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, who shares how Accredo helps support her treatment at home so she can continue living her active lifestyle.
At a glance
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, also called Alpha-1, is a rare genetic condition that can affect lung and liver function.
- People receiving specialty medication often need coordinated support for medication delivery, supplies, clinical education, and ongoing care.
- For Lauren, transitioning from an infusion center to self-infusion at home reduced the time and travel involved in her weekly treatment routine.
- Lauren’s experience illustrates how specialty pharmacy support can help address some of the logistical challenges associated with complex care.
Managing Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition that can affect lung and liver function, often involves more than treatment alone. For patients who receive ongoing treatment, the time, travel, and coordination involved in care can affect work, family responsibilities, and daily life. Those challenges may be especially pronounced for people who live far from an infusion center or other treatment location.
Lauren understands those challenges firsthand. Living in a rural community with her husband, she values the opportunity to spend time outdoors fly fishing, kayaking, and skiing. But after being diagnosed with Alpha-1 in her early 30s, she wondered how treatment might affect her ability to continue the life she had built there.
At first, Lauren traveled more than an hour each way to an infusion center for weekly treatment. The route crossed a mountain pass, which could be especially difficult during the winter months.
The demands of that routine led Lauren and her husband to consider a major change.
“We considered whether we would have to move where the infusion center is,” Lauren said.
When Lauren’s pulmonologist recommended home infusions, she was introduced to Accredo Specialty Pharmacy. Working with Lauren, her physicians, and her health plan, the Accredo team helped coordinate the transition to treatments at home.
Lauren received education and training on how to self-infuse, along with delivery of her medication and supplies required for treatment. She also had access to clinical support 24/7 when questions arose.
“What used to take me five hours now takes me 30 minutes,” she said.
The support extends beyond day-to-day treatment. When travel or unexpected family emergencies arise, Lauren can work with Accredo to coordinate medication delivery and help maintain continuity in her treatment routine.
For Lauren, that flexibility has helped make it possible to continue living where she loves to be, maintain her career, travel, and stay active while managing her condition.
Watch Lauren’s story to hear how home infusion education, medication delivery, and ongoing clinical support changed the way she manages weekly treatment while continuing to work, travel, and enjoy an active life.
Common questions about Accredo support for Alpha-1
Accredo raises the standard in specialty pharmacy, delivering care beyond the prescription and additive savings beyond the trend. Through our pharmacy model, plan sponsors can count on competitive specialty drug pricing and access to the specialty therapies your members need. We provide condition- and drug-focused expertise that prepares you for what’s ahead while driving the most value for you now. Our pharmacy engine propels savings to you and delivers well-being support for your members at no cost.
