Transforming the pharmacy industry with transparency

How does the Optum Rx Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee work?

For our clients, we’re committed to offering transparent, alternative pricing models that align incentives and focus on the lowest net cost of drugs. We continue to host the industry’s most transparent, independent Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee, providing evidence-based review and appraisal of new and existing medications and their place in therapy.

The P&T Committee consists of independent, practicing physicians and pharmacists in various specialties — none of the voting members are part of the Optum Rx team. This 12-member committee meets on a quarterly basis to discuss industry, clinical and company standards, and to evaluate and review new and existing medications, as well as their appropriate place in therapy.

The rigorous, evidence-based review process provides customers with the information they need to make the right choices for their unique circumstances. We invite all clients and pharmacy consultant partners to attend these meetings. We are focused on delivering stakeholders the lowest cost for prescription drugs while helping improve health outcomes.

Speaker bios

Sumit Dutta, MD
Chief Medical Officer at Optum Rx 

As chief medical officer at Optum Rx — a national pharmacy care services company serving 59 million Americans — Dr. Dutta leads all clinical programs focused on achieving better health outcomes for patients, lowering costs for the health care system and improving the health care experience for consumers. Dr. Dutta has a team of 5,000 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that help patients every day learn how to take their medications, avoid harmful drug interactions and manage their chronic conditions.

Dr. Dutta brings over three decades of experience in health care. He has been with UnitedHealth Group since 2015 and joined Optum Rx as part of the Catamaran acquisition. Before joining Catamaran, Dr. Dutta led the Quest Diagnostics India subsidiary, driving growth in the diagnostics, employer and clinical trials laboratory testing markets. Dr. Dutta previously served in various senior executive roles at the pharmacy benefits manager, Medco, including President of Accredo NovaFactor and chief medical officer of Medco’s health plans division. 

Dr. Dutta is one of several leaders overseeing the Optum Rx Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) initiative, which advocates for inclusive practices within Optum’s workforce as well as encourages the creation of programs that advance inclusion, diversity and health equity in the communities Optum Rx serves. 

Dr. Dutta earned his medical degree from Michigan State University and his Master of Business Administration from New York University, Stern School of Business. He completed his internship at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics and his residency at Rush Medical Center, practicing Internal Medicine at New York University Health Center. 

Upasana (Ana) Bhatnagar, MD
Associate Chief Medical Officer 

Dr. Bhatnagar has accountability for clinical strategy including pipeline development, clinical formulary support, drug intelligence and utilization management. Additional responsibilities include communicating the clinical value proposition to existing and potential clients and improving the clinical quality of services in Optum Rx.

Throughout her over 10 years of experience within managed care, Dr. Bhatnagar was focused on pharmacy and medical policy, most recently at UnitedHealthcare (UHC) as the Chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee. Prior to UHC, she was a medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration Office of New Drugs and served as an expert for labeling, review of new drug applications and representative for collaborative public health programs with partner agencies.

Dr. Bhatnagar’s clinical specialization is in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She holds an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a medical doctorate from University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Eastern Virginia Medical Center.

Sina S. Carlson, PharmD
Vice President, Drug Intelligence at Optum Rx                                

Dr. Sina Carlson is the Vice President, Drug Intelligence at Optum Rx. In this role, she has responsibility over all Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee processes and drug information services.

Dr. Carlson has been involved in managed care for over 20 years. Prior to joining Optum Rx, she held positions with other pharmacy benefit management firms working in drug information, formulary, prior authorization, operations, client management and residency programs. She also has experience as a retail and home delivery pharmacist.

Dr. Carlson holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Midwestern University, Chicago College of Pharmacy. She is a registered pharmacist in Pennsylvania and Illinois. Dr. Carlson is a member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP).