We Take Privacy Extremely Seriously — McKesson SVP for Data Commercialization and Advanced Analytics

(US & Canada) Kirby Forlin, SVP, Data Commercialization & Advanced Analytics at McKesson, speaks with Traci Gusher, EY Americas AI and Data Leader, in a video interview about how McKesson Compile is staying ahead in the data and AI race, prioritizing use cases for the organization, and balancing regulations with innovation.

McKesson Compile is a provider of healthcare intelligence and high-capture, high-fidelity patient and provider aggregated data.

Forlin explains that when McKesson acquired Compile earlier this year, the company already had strong products that were valuable to biopharma services companies. The standout features were twofold - having data that was ready for analytics and delivering exceptional customer service.

Upon reviewing Compile’s products, it became clear that McKesson had a wealth of data that could optimize existing offerings or lead to the development of new products in the market.

Forlin adds that McKesson dedicated considerable time to engaging with customers, collaborating to understand their challenges, and identifying the data that the company might possess to address specific AI use cases or issues within healthcare. This deep customer understanding and responsiveness are central to what McKesson Compile represents.

When asked about the approach to prioritizing use cases for McKesson Compile, Forlin emphasizes that McKesson dedicates significant time to understanding the needs of its biopharma services customers, who often have innovative ideas for leveraging AI. She notes that the approach involves identifying customers’ problems and determining which assets McKesson can provide to address those specific use cases.

This prioritization helps decide what data to integrate into the ecosystem, aiming for positive patient outcomes. Additionally, Forlin highlights the importance of evaluating the feasibility, organization, and completeness of the data to ensure it delivers maximum value to both customers and patients.

Speaking about balancing regulations and pending potential regulations with innovation, Forlin mentions that privacy is a top priority at McKesson Compile. The company ensures patient privacy by working exclusively with deidentified data, which prevents individual identification within its datasets. This approach allows biopharma services companies to utilize the data effectively while complying with global regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA.

Forlin also highlights the importance of staying proactive in data governance, noting that legislation is constantly evolving. Accordingly, it is essential to have a dedicated team monitoring changes in regulations and integrating them into practice.

Additionally, with data breaches occurring frequently, maintaining up-to-date security measures and staying vigilant is crucial in addressing privacy and security concerns surrounding patient data.

CDO Magazine appreciates Kirby Forlin for sharing her insights with our global community.