Prescription drug prices in the United States aren’t coming down anytime soon.
What’s worse is that many Americans don’t know they can save money on their medications by comparing drug prices across pharmacies and using prescription coupons — but the team at Santa Monica-based GoodRx has made it their mission to ensure all Americans can afford their healthcare.
“Many of us work at GoodRx because we’ve personally struggled, or know someone who has struggled, to understand or afford their healthcare,” said Community Editor Katie Mui. “I think the reality and gravity of the problem we’re trying to fix is the basis of our company culture.”
We recently spoke with Mui and two other members of GoodRx to learn more about the company’s platform and its mission-driven culture.
FOUNDED: 2011
EMPLOYEES: 200; 150 locally
WHAT THEY DO: GoodRx helps consumers save money on their prescriptions. Its app and website make it easy to compare drug prices across pharmacies and discover savings opportunities with GoodRx coupons, pharmacy discount programs and manufacturer coupons.
WHERE THEY DO IT: Santa Monica
PREMIUM CARE, MINUS THE PREMIUM: GoodRx offers full-time employees and their dependents robust healthcare coverage at little to no cost.
Katie Mui, Community Editor
Katie’s role on the research team is multifaceted and includes writing content based on user testimonials, developing strategies to distribute content across a wide variety of channels, and leading community outreach and research efforts.
ORIGINAL RECIPE: Katie loves cooking and scours the internet — i.e. Instagram and blogs — for recipes, taking the best elements of each one to create her own unique recipe.
You joined GoodRx four years ago as a member of its San Francisco office. How have you experienced the company’s culture as a member of “GoodRx North?”
My first time meeting the majority of the GoodRx team was at the office holiday party. I remember feeling welcomed with open arms and soon came to recognize that feeling as one of intrinsic trust, which is a core part of our culture. Another big aspect of our company culture is humility. Our co-CEOs, Doug Hirsch and Trevor Bezdek, demonstrate this by being down-to-earth guys, celebrating each and every milestone with us and placing the spotlight on employees. They also have an open-door policy and encourage us to share our thoughts, ideas and questions.
It sounds like leadership sets the tone when it comes to culture. Can you share an example of a member of your leadership team “walking the walk?”
I monitor our social media accounts, and there have been times when I log on to find that our co-CEO, Doug, has personally reached out to users because he wanted to help them right away. This attitude also guides the way our patient advocacy team handles customer support issues. You don’t have to be a GoodRx user to call in and ask about medication costs and issues, and callers are often referred to non-GoodRx coupons and savings programs.
I remember feeling welcomed with open arms and soon came to recognize that feeling as one of intrinsic trust, which is a core part of our culture.”
GoodRx is growing rapidly. What excites you most about the company’s growth and the future?
The most exciting part for me personally is getting to see my team grow. It’s also just nice to see my teammates, who I’ve been working closely with for the last couple of years, receive more resources and opportunities to really hit their stride and see results with the work they’re doing. Though we’ve recently passed $10 billion total saved on prescription medication costs, there’s still a lot of work to be done in helping Americans understand their choices, or even that they have choices, when it comes to their health and healthcare.
Caroline Furman, Manager of Data Analytics
Caroline manages a team of data analysts and scientists who work to ensure GoodRx is able to make data-informed decisions. In addition to managing her team, a typical day for Caroline can also include everything from analyzing A/B test results, collaborating with the data engineering team and interviewing candidates.
WORD UP: Caroline and her fiancé have a running crossword puzzle competition and even had crossword-themed save the dates for their wedding.
You were one of GoodRx’s very first data analysts — now, you’re the manager of data analytics. Can you describe both your growth journey?
I’ve been lucky to find at GoodRx an environment that has helped me grow technically, analytically and as a manager. I spent my first year delivering projects that required me to learn new skills and technologies, from Google Analytics to Redshift, data transformation, Looker and more.
Because we’ve grown so quickly, there’s plenty of opportunities for strong performers to take on new challenges and responsibilities. Early on, I shared with my manager my interest in management roles. When the opportunity arose, I took on managerial duties, from leading a summer intern project in predictive analytics to now heading a group of really sharp, interesting data analysts and data scientists.
As a manager, what’s your approach to ensuring your team is doing quality work but also that they’re happy in their job?
It’s important to feel like you’re doing meaningful, interesting work, with a pathway to future growth. I try to match my team members to projects that will stretch them in line with their interests, whether that means leading reporting for a big new partner, undertaking statistical analysis on customer segmentation or presenting to senior management. At the same time, I aim to ensure each project is successful and run efficiently. I try to provide each analyst with the right environment to be successful: clear guidelines on deliverables, support from management and access to subject matter experts.
It sounds boastful, but I actually do think that I’ve played a role in improving the lives and health of people who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford their medication.”
What about your company or your work inspires you?
The mission. It’s amazing to work for a company where the product is literally saving lives. Grateful user testimonies are a powerful incentive to come in and work hard every day. It sounds boastful, but I actually do think that I’ve played a role in improving the lives and health of people who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford their medication.
Jordan Michaels, VP of Operations
Jordan oversees GoodRx’s patient advocacy and network operations teams. The first team is customer-facing and provides support to users via phone, while the second works with external network partners and the company’s internal teams to ensure prices on GoodRx are as low as possible.
JUST FOR LAUGHS: Jordan is a stand-up comic who has performed locally at The Improv and The Comedy Store, as well as in Europe.
You founded and sold a healthtech startup of your own prior to joining GoodRx. As a former founder and CEO, what about GoodRx stood out and made you want to join the team?
After the experience of building and selling Ringadoc, I initially thought I would start another business. I wanted to stay in healthcare and knew firsthand how difficult it was to succeed in the space. I had known the GoodRx team for some time and admired the business they were building. I loved the real impact they were having on people’s lives. The mission-driven environment featured a healthy amount of entrepreneurial spirit, which was extremely important to me.
You joined GoodRx to build out the company’s customer advocacy and network operations teams. Can you tell us more about what these teams do?
My teams ensure millions of Americans have the best experience possible when using GoodRx at their local pharmacy. We do this by building strong relationships with our network partners to provide low-priced coupons for millions of prescription drugs. The network operations team coordinates the communication, project management and real-time site performance tracking. We work closely with our product, engineering, data and business intelligence teams.
The patient advocacy team is there to support our users via phone. Our highly trained and U.S.-based team is available around the clock completely free of cost. We provide individualized assistance to help patients find the lowest price for their prescriptions. Both teams play a pivotal role in driving forward GoodRx’s ultimate mission of providing affordable healthcare to all Americans.
Work-life balance allows people to continually bring unique and interesting perspectives to their work and promotes a creative and fun work environment.”
Can you describe GoodRx’s culture and what makes it unique or different from companies you’ve previously been a part of?
We really value work-life balance. I have been able to take up an amazing hobby doing stand-up comedy that I would have never been able to do at any of my previous companies. Work-life balance allows people to continually bring unique and interesting perspectives to their work and promotes a creative and fun work environment. It’s not just about the work, but being able to do that work with multi-dimensional individuals with different passions.
