Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Jigar Thakkar, Former Chief Administrative Officer (SVP Growth Integration), OU Health; now CEO, Longitude Rx

Date: January 4, 2026
Host: Grace Linkeller
Location: 13th Annual CEO and CFO Roundtable (Live)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Grace Linkeller speaks with Jigar Thakkar about the evolving specialty pharmacy landscape in U.S. health systems. Jigar—now CEO of Longitude Rx, a company founded by major health systems—discusses strategies to realign specialty pharmacy services within health systems to improve patient care and revenue. He emphasizes the importance of holistic, technology-driven solutions rather than fragmented “point” tools, and shares insights on what healthcare executives must prioritize as the specialty medication sector grows.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction & Background

• [00:51] Guest introduction: Jigar Thakkar is now CEO of Longitude Rx, after his role as CAO at OU Health.
  • Quote: “Very excited about being here and sharing what we do.” — Jigar Thakkar (01:00)

Specialty Pharmacy’s Strategic Importance

• [01:08] Longitude Rx was founded by five major health systems—Providence Health, Baylor Scott & White, Memorial Hermann, Michigan Medicine, and Novant—to focus on the integration of specialty pharmacy within health systems.
  • The company was formed "by health systems, for health systems."
• Objective: Return specialty pharmacy opportunities, previously dominated by payers and PBMs, back into health systems.
  • Quote: “We’re really focused on bringing back the specialty pharmacy opportunity back into health systems which traditionally has been really dominated by payers, PBMs.” — Jigar Thakkar (01:13)

Industry Trends and Patient Experience

• [01:46] 85% of new medications in the FDA pipeline are specialty drugs.
• Patients face a fragmented care experience when accessing specialty meds—often dealing with multiple pharmacies, financial barriers, and assistance challenges.
  • Notable initiative: Longitude Rx’s technology platform designed to unify fragmented care and revenue streams.
  • Focus on improved patient experience, not just organizational revenue.
  • Quote: “One of the most meaningful things that we’ve been able to do…is really start in and hone in on that experience with the technology platform…We’re highly focused on making sure that we’re improving that experience and really keeping that at the center to make sure that the care is not fragmented for them.” — Jigar Thakkar (02:11)

Advice to Healthcare Executives

• [02:58] Specialty medications now account for roughly 20% of a typical health system’s net patient service revenue.
• Critical message: Executives cannot afford to ignore specialty pharmacy, as a significant portion of patients are now on these medications.
  • Systems must implement robust care delivery and pharmacy management platforms—otherwise, “you’re essentially not caring for a pretty significant portion of your population.”
• Emphasis on the complexity of specialty pharmacy: Requires network access, analytics, and technology beyond what point solutions provide.
  • Longitude Rx is positioned as offering an “end-to-end” perspective, unlike most market solutions.
  • Quote:
    “Specialty pharmacy—whether you are following it or not—your patients are on those medications…If you don’t have really a care delivery platform…you’re essentially not caring for a pretty significant portion of your population.” — Jigar Thakkar (03:00)
  • Quote:
    “A lot of tools are out there…that are point solutions, but no one really is looking at it from an end to end perspective like we are trying to do at Longitude Rx.” — Jigar Thakkar (03:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Founded by health systems for health systems…really focused on bringing back the specialty pharmacy opportunity back into health systems which traditionally has been really dominated by payers PBMs.” — Jigar Thakkar (01:12)
• “About 85% of the meds in the FDA pipeline…are considered specialty meds.” — Jigar Thakkar (01:46)
• “We’re highly focused on … making sure that we’re improving [the patient] experience and really keeping that at the center to make sure the care is not fragmented.” — Jigar Thakkar (02:21)
• “About 20% of their net patient service revenue…could be tied to specialty medications. So if you don’t have really a care delivery platform…you’re not caring for a pretty significant portion of your population.” — Jigar Thakkar (03:06)
• “No one really is looking at it from an end to end perspective like we are trying to do at Longitude rx.” — Jigar Thakkar (03:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:51 — Jigar Thakkar introduction and background
• 01:08 — Foundation and purpose of Longitude Rx
• 01:46 — Key industry stat: 85% of FDA pipeline are specialty meds; patient care fragmentation
• 02:58 — Executive advice: Financial importance and complexity of specialty pharmacy
• 03:49 — Technology gap: Most solutions are point-based, not end-to-end

Summary Takeaways

• Specialty pharmacy is a rapidly growing segment that demands focused integration within health systems for both patient care and financial viability.
• Health systems must move beyond fragmented, point solutions and invest in technology and analytics for comprehensive specialty medication management.
• Longitude Rx positions itself as uniquely capable of delivering an end-to-end platform, developed collaboratively by leading health systems.
• Healthcare leaders should recognize the strategic necessity of specialty pharmacy and pursue cohesive strategies to enhance both patient experience and system revenue.