Tag Archives: Market Access

Bruce L. Braaten, Regional Manager, Market Access, Covance

Bruce Braaten photoBruce currently serves as the Field Access and Reimbursement Director in the West Region. Mr. Braaten has over 20 years of experience in the biotech/device industry. Most recently he held positions with Roche serving in various leadership roles within the organization. Bruce brings experience as the Area Business Manager for the national Channel team for the purpose of building overall relationships, contract negotiations, securing coverage and reimbursement, and streamlining steps for smoother claims processing. He also held roles in leading field based teams, contracting with Managed Care Companies, sales leadership, project management and developing presentations for field use.

Bruce has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and has studied in areas of Healthcare administration, Healthcare policy, and Organizational Communication.

1. Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars?

This is an important opportunity to present and discuss our Market Access directives which support and improve Patient Health.

2. What are you looking forward to explaining to the audience?

Access is a challenging and a changing environment; however with the experience and overall knowledge of the market patients can receive the therapy their Health team prescribes they need.

3. How did you get into the industry and what do you most enjoy about your role?

My first experience in supporting patient access was on the medical device side for pain management. This confirmed in me how vital this type of role is and how strategy is crucial in care and coverage. My career has grown from Managed Care contracting; Distribution; patient support and sales leadership. My purpose in my work comes from the numerous successes of giving life back to individuals that are in great need and giving hope for a more fulfilling life.

4. What do you enjoy most about your role?

Currently my responsibilities include leading a team of Access Specialists in the West. This allows me the privilege of developing each individual with a greater skillset, to position our strategy for the purpose of patient care, and ultimately drive this ship in one direction.

5. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

Today it is Arizona where my Wife and Children are. Spending time with them recharges me. If it was a particular place; it would have to be Northern Minnesota on the lake.

Register now for our webinar with Bruce and his colleagues from Covance, “The Yesterday and Today of Market Access: Field strategy evolution“.

Roshani Poudel, National Field Director, Market Access, Covance

Roshani Poudel_ PhotoRoshani Poudel has over 9 years of reimbursement and market access experience at Covance as well as with other Biotech/Pharmaceutical companies. During these 9 years, Roshani has developed reimbursement strategies during different phases of product life cycle that encompassed successful launch of multiple In-house/Contracted Hubs, Patient Assistance Programs , Field Reimbursement Teams and Marketing initiatives. Roshani has also led multiple Market Access efforts to remove significant coverage barriers with Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial Payers for various “Buy and Bill” products.

As Director, Field Market Access at CMA, Roshani is responsible for developing and managing a group of Field Managers who oversee teams that conduct field-based site visits and customer training to remove any access barriers. Roshani also serves as a strategic partner for clients to implement new initiatives and ensures that they are aligned with the clients’ vision.

Roshani has a B. S. in Business Administration from Alliant International University, San Diego, CA.

1. Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars?

This is a great opportunity to discuss how Market Access strategy is crucial in providing patients access to the therapy they need.

2. What are you looking forward to explaining to the audience?

I look forward to sharing some real-life cases of access challenges that were presented to Covance Market Access and how we were able to provide solutions to those challenges.

3. How did you get into the industry and what do you most enjoy about your role?  

My first experience in the industry was with Covance 9 years ago when I was hired as a program specialist. My primary responsibility was working with patients that required financial assistance and helping them access their medications through several patient assistance and referral programs. It was an eye-opening experience to see the number of patients that needed financial support and yet had very limited knowledge of all the available resources for them. It was very rewarding to work with patients directly and being able to walk them through the process which ultimately allowed them to obtain their much needed medications. Some patients even took time to send personal thank you notes with their stories and how the medications had help change their lives positively, which was a satisfying aspect of the role in a personal level.

4. What do you enjoy most about your role?

I mostly enjoy the diversity of responsibilities in my current role that allows me to wear different hats on a daily basis. While I represent Covance and follow our own ideals, I am also learning and adapting to each of my client’s strategies and values which keeps me engaged. I also enjoy team development and talent management.

5. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

Although I admire all historic cities around the world, Florence has to be on top on my list. From the narrow stone pavements that Da Vinci and Michelangelo once walked through to the distinctive architecture throughout the city, there is a reason why Florence is known as the “cradle of the Renaissance”.

Discuss “The Yesterday and Today of Market Access: Field strategy evolution” with Roshani in our webinar with Covance. Register now! 

William M. Fahey, National Field Director, Market Access, Covance

William Fahey_ PhotoWilliam works directly with the Field Managers and Field Reimbursement Specialists to ensure program
execution and strategic follow through based on client needs. In addition, he works as a strategic partner with the client to overcome hurdles and anticipate future opportunity specific to field team actions. He has directed teams within multiple therapeutic areas and lifecycle stages. 


Prior to joining Covance, Mr. Fahey has Over 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry in various leadership roles within Sales, Sales Operations/Field Force Effectiveness, Marketing and Market Access. 

William has a BA in Philosophy/Political Science from the University of Arkansas.

1. Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars?

I believe it is important to connect as an industry in order to address complicated issues that impact the ability for patients to access appropriate therapies.

2. What are you looking forward to explaining to the audience?

I look forward to sharing opportunities that will address the above issues.  As access to therapies becomes more difficult, it is important to assess appropriate levers and partnerships that will potentially alleviate some of these market conditions and pressures for those involved.

3. How did you get into the industry and what do you most enjoy about your role?  

I spent several years both in sales and marketing within the tobacco industry.  This is what brought me into the healthcare sector.  Working on a daily basis and as a career on thoughts, processes and services that contribute to a person’s well-being is more rewarding than its polar opposite.

4. What do you enjoy most about your role?

Working with some of the top minds in the industry.  Learning and working on key issues that impact the industry on a daily basis provides a never-ending complexity that keeps a smile on my face.

5. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

While I enjoy the comradery and engagement on a daily basis, I very much enjoy the solitude of the desert environment regardless of location.  I will typically take an annual motorcycle trip to various locations in which I get the chance to reflect and decompress from everything.

Join William in the upcoming Covance webinar “The Yesterday and Today of Market Access: Field strategy evolution“. Register now!