The healthcare system has been spotlighted like never before as COVID-19 has had unprecedented effects on our lives over the last year. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists have become the frontline warriors in the pandemic, the selfless heroes who stepped into uncertainty to save lives. And the pharmaceuticals industry has miraculously delivered a vaccine in record time. That’s why our Associate Creative Director Jason James offers a spoonful of Spotify to make the medicine go down with our newest Spire on Spotify playlist, Vol. 5: Chill Pill, inspired by our clients at Cervey.
Cervey is a market leader in technology solutions for hospital Pharmacies, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Long-Term Care. Their software solutions simplify and streamline operations for prescription claims processing, especially in the 340B space. Spire’s most recent B2B marketing campaign for the brand launched this month targeting hospital Directors of Pharmacies, leading up to their annual 340B Coalition Summer Show in July.
Recent statistics show there are now over 311,000 registered pharmacists in the U.S., filling more than 3 billion outpatient prescriptions annually. As of July 2020, the Drug Channels Institute (DCI) found 27,928 unique contract pharmacies participating in the 340B governmental program.
Congress created the 340B pricing program through the enactment of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, which is codified as Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act. The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a U.S. federal government program that requires drug manufacturers to provide outpatient drugs to eligible healthcare organizations and covered entities at significantly reduced prices.
According to 340B Health, 340B hospitals are vital because they provide 60% of the uncompensated and unreimbursed care that U.S. patients receive. The American Hospital Association “believes the 340B program is essential to helping providers stretch limited resources to better serve their vulnerable communities.”
The global healthcare market has been estimated to rake in a substantial revenue of $536.6 billion by the end of 2025, according to Transparency Market Research. According to a study by Deloitte, the global healthcare technology industry is expected to continue to grow at a rate of 12% a year.
By the end of 2021, the healthcare industry itself will be worth an estimated $6 trillion, and the marketing and technology budget totals will be approaching $160 billion. This means there is a lot of opportunity for healthcare technology companies, Software as a Service (SaaS) providers and services companies like Cervey to tap into those budgets through strategic B2B marketing plans.
Let’s take a chill pill from the seriousness of pharmaceutical software, and talk about the healing power of music. While the effects of music on people are not fully understood, studies have shown that when you hear music to your liking, the brain actually releases a chemical called dopamine that has positive effects on mood.
Music can make us feel strong emotions, such as joy, sadness or fear — some will agree that it has the power to move us. According to some researchers, music may even have the power to improve our health and well-being.
Though more studies are needed to confirm the potential health benefits of music, some studies suggest that listening to music can have the following positive effects on health. Here are 10 ways music can improve your health.
- It’s heart-healthy. Research has shown that blood flows more easily when music is played. It can also reduce heart rates, lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the blood.
- Improves mood. Studies show that listening to music can benefit overall well-being, help regulate emotions, and create happiness and relaxation in everyday life.
- Reduces stress. Listening to “relaxing” music (generally considered to have slow tempo, low pitch and no lyrics) has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in healthy people and in people undergoing medical procedures (e.g., surgery, dental, colonoscopy).
- Lessens anxiety. In studies of people with cancer, listening to music combined with standard care reduced anxiety compared to those who received standard care alone.
- Improves exercise. Studies suggest that music can enhance aerobic exercise, boost mental and physical stimulation, and increase overall performance.
- Improves memory. Research has shown that the repetitive elements of rhythm and melody help our brains form patterns that enhance memory. In a study of stroke survivors, listening to music helped them experience more verbal memory, less confusion and better focused attention.
- Eases pain. In studies of patients recovering from surgery, those who listened to music before, during or after surgery had less pain and more overall satisfaction compared with patients who did not listen to music as part of their care.
- Provides comfort. Music therapy has also been used to help enhance communication, coping and expression of feelings such as fear, loneliness and anger in patients who have a serious illness, and who are in end-of-life care.
- Improves cognition. Listening to music can also help people with Alzheimer’s recall seemingly lost memories and even help maintain some mental abilities.
- It helps people eat less. Playing soft music in the background (and dimming the lights) during a meal can help people slow down while eating and ultimately consume less food in one sitting.
So while laughter may be the best medicine, music is up there as well. Which is exactly why Spire is combining the two in our newest Spotify playlist, dedicated to our client Cervey. It’s Rx that rocks, and just what the doctor ordered. Let’s turn things over to Jason James as we increase the dosage on fun with his prescriptive mix of music and healthy vibes. compliance and clinical workflow.
Jason, what is the name of your playlist?
I decided to call this playlist Chill Pill. The phrase originated in the early 1980s in regard to medication, but today it is a way to simply tell someone to calm down and relax.
How would you describe this mix?
It’s very upbeat and makes you feel healthy and happy to be alive.
What was the inspiration behind it?
I wanted to celebrate our client Cervey and the beneficial services they provide to pharmacies and hospitals. Plus, a healthy work/life balance starts with taking care of your body and mind, and music is quite therapeutic.
What is your favorite song, and why?
“Doctor Doctor” by the British hard rock band UFO. The song was released in 1974 on their album Phenomenon, but strangely did not reach the Top 40 charts until a live cut was re-released in 1979. You may know Iron Maiden’s rendition of it. But it’s a total banger, and when the guitar solo kicks in it gets your blood pumping! It’s a great workout song.
If your playlist was a brand, what would it be?
Probably the Greek Yogurt Chobani. My mix has many different flavors and is wrapped in a totally gorge package. The epitome of style! Not to mention, it’s relatively healthy.
Any specific memory that comes to mind when you listen?
You oftentimes hear your doctor, your pharmacist or even your mom say, “Be sure to take your medicine.” Music may be the best medicine for changing your mood and giving you a rejuvenated perspective.
What makes your playlist unique?
The vast mosaic and range in styles that it explores. Not to mention that there are very few playlists on Spotify, I assume, that are based on a compliance-based pharmaceutical software.
Play Jason’s playlist two times and call us in the morning. And stay tuned to the Spire Blog and Spotify Channel for the release of our next hit album.