Episode 22: Pramod John, CEO of VIVIO Health

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Pramod John, CEO of VIVIO, who discusses his journey from technology to healthcare, the inefficiencies of the current healthcare system, and the mission of VIVIO to provide data-driven solutions that improve patient outcomes while reducing costs. Pramod emphasizes the need to rethink the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and advocates for a healthcare model that prioritizes transparency and efficiency. He shares insights on the importance of data in healthcare decision-making and the responsibility of leaders to act in the best interests of patients and the healthcare system. 

Takeaways 

💡 Pramod John transitioned from tech to healthcare to address large-scale problems. 
💰 The U.S. spends almost as much on healthcare as the rest of the world combined. 
🕵️‍♂️ Healthcare inefficiencies are likened to a 'mobbed up' industry. 
🚫💊 VIVIO aims to eliminate the need for PBMs in healthcare. 
📊 Data is crucial for determining the right drug for the right patient. 
🏥 Healthcare should be treated as a public trust, not a public trust fund.
🎯 The right drug for the right person at the right price is VIVIO's mission. 
⚠️ Incentives in healthcare often lead to poor decision-making. 
❌📦 The PBM model is unnecessary and should be replaced. 
🧑‍⚕️💬 Healthcare leaders have a social responsibility to act in the best interests of patients. 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Pramod John and VIVIO 
02:05 The Shift from Tech to Healthcare 
04:13 Understanding Healthcare Expenditures 
07:03 Founding Oration and Lessons Learned 
15:07 Building Teams and Managing People 
18:02 The Mission of VIVIO 
23:01 Data-Driven Healthcare Solutions 
26:56 Challenging the PBM Model 
31:00 The Case Against PBMs 
36:10 Incentives and Accountability in Healthcare 
39:34 The PBM Tax and Its Impact 
39:44 Using Data for Effective Drug Management 
45:17 Personal Health Practices and Insights

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