New research from D2 Solutions, featured in BioPharma Dive, exposes the administrative hurdles and communication gaps preventing patients from starting prescribed therapies in 2026.
-
[ST. CHARLES, MO] - At D2 Solutions, we partner with healthcare leaders to eliminate the friction between product and patient care. When that friction exists, the consequences are measured in more than just administrative hours; they are measured in patient outcomes.
What happens when the path to therapy is blocked by administrative friction? According to a new national survey from D2 Solutions, the result more than just administrative hours, it’s significant delays in patient care. Our research reveals that the complexities of the current healthcare landscape are causing 21% of patients to delay starting their prescribed medications.
Patient Access Barriers in 2026
To deliver better for patients, we must first identify where the system is failing them. Our survey of 1,000 U.S. adults identified three primary friction points that prevent timely therapy initiation:
-
The Prior Authorization Burden: Nearly half of all surveyed patients required a prior authorization (PA). For 22% of them, the PA process took significantly longer than expected.
-
The Communication Gap: 38% of patients reported receiving little to no communication while waiting for medication approval. This lack of transparency leads to 47% of patients feeling anxious and in limbo, a key driver of therapy abandonment.
-
Support Program Awareness: 46% of patients remain unaware of manufacturer support programs, and only 15% are currently utilizing them.
Creating a Better Therapy Experience for the Modern Patient
The survey results serve as a call to action for manufacturers, pharmacies, and payers. We found that 21% of patients have delayed starting a prescribed medication due to access challenges. In an industry where speed-to-therapy is paramount, these delays represent a significant failure in the commercialization and delivery chain.
"Access challenges aren't just paperwork hurdles; they are missed opportunities to provide care," says Dean Erhardt, President and CEO of D2 Solutions. "At D2, the purpose of every partnership we forge is to deliver better for patients. By identifying these specific friction points, we can deploy the right mix of strategic consulting and technology to ensure patients don't just receive a prescription, they start their therapy."
At D2 Solutions, we don’t just identify these gaps, we bridge them. D2 Solutions provides a groundbreaking combination of expert consulting and purpose-built technology designed to move the patient journey forward:
-
UltraTouch® Verify: Reimagine prior authorization management with a platform that guarantees 100% of all PAs are submitted and is optimized for first-submission success, reducing the limbo time that leads to patient anxiety.
-
UltraTouch® Engage: Automate patient outreach and onboarding with bi-directional communication that keeps patients informed and engaged from the moment of prescription.
-
Strategic Advisory: Backed by 400+ years of combined specialty experience and 350+ successful product launches, our senior team de-risks commercialization from payer strategy to patient adherence.
Eliminate the Friction in Your Strategy
As a committed partner to over 500 organizations across the healthcare spectrum, D2 Solutions is uniquely positioned to help you navigate the complexities of market access and patient utilization.
Is your organization ready to accelerate the path to therapy?
Stay connected with the trends shaping the future of healthcare. Follow us on LinkedIn for more real-world insights from the D2 team.
