Healthcare stands at a critical inflection point: an aging population, breakthrough therapies, regulatory upheaval and technological advances are converging to reshape how care is delivered, with some unexpected results. While some hospitals and health systems are simply adapting to as the changes come, many are not only proactively addressing challenges – they are seeing opportunities and how to capitalize.
Future-minded organizations have recognized that pharmacy is emerging as a transformative force in healthcare. In today’s healthcare landscape, the role of health system pharmacies has never been more critical. Faced with rising costs, regulatory uncertainty and evolving patient needs, pharmacy leaders are being called upon to drive innovation, improve medication access and deliver sustainable solutions to help ensure better outcomes for their communities.
Health system leaders are increasingly integrating pharmacy into decisions aimed at modernizing care delivery and enhancing patient access. However, equipping these experts with the resources they need to make this positive shift is not without obstacles, and requires bolstering networks across a historically siloed industry to optimize operations and achieve more successful patient outcomes.
A rapidly changing landscape
The large-scale pressures and uncertainties facing health systems can look daunting: drug shortages disrupt operations and force difficult decisions about treatment, delay critical treatments and create financial strain as health systems scramble for alternative sources; policy shifts and evolving global dynamics require new operational approaches; and limited staff bandwidth can compromise patient care, to name a few.
At the same time, the healthcare ecosystem is on the brink of transformation with specialty pharmacy programs maturing, home infusion services poised for explosive growth and cell and gene therapies redefining care delivery. Still, barriers such as payer restrictions, financial inefficiencies and workforce shortages threaten to derail progress.
A new report based on a proprietary survey of over 100 health system pharmacy leaders reveals the nuances of the landscape. Mature specialty pharmacy programs face significant hurdles, with 50% of patients still having prescriptions filled outside the health system. Similarly, home infusion services, projected to double in market size by 2034, remain underutilized, with two-thirds of health systems lacking programs altogether. And while cell and gene therapies offer transformative potential, only 4% of health systems report being fully prepared to integrate these groundbreaking treatments.
These challenges are overwhelming, but they are not insurmountable. Health systems have the tools, expertise and opportunity to lead the charge in addressing these issues and shaping the future of healthcare.
Pharmacy at the center of healthcare
Transformative opportunities await health systems, but they require leaders to take innovative approaches. In this environment, pharmacy has moved from the periphery to the center of healthcare transformation. This expansion reflects a fundamental shift: pharmacy operations are no longer cost centers to be managed but strategic assets that can drive institutional performance. It’s clear: the future of pharmacy is here, and health systems must act boldly and decisively to overcome barriers, embrace innovation and deliver on the promise of better care.
Collaborative transformation
This future is rooted in the critical importance of collaboration. While dynamic collaboration continues between health systems and distributors, true transformation requires industry-wide collaboration to address challenges no single organization can solve alone. Successfully addressing these interconnected challenges requires the specialized expertise and resources that experienced industry partners bring to health systems. This partnership approach between hospital and pharmacy leaders and industry experts creates the foundation for lasting improvements in healthcare delivery.
Shaping the future of pharmacy together
The challenges also hold significant opportunities for organizations ready to invest in pharmacy’s strategic potential. For health system leaders, the question is straightforward: will your organization lead this transformation or follow it? By innovating to solve real challenges, elevating pharmacy’s role as a strategic asset and accelerating implementation of proven solutions, health systems can better navigate supply chain complexities, regulatory requirements and operational changes, all while focusing on what matters most – delivering unparalleled care to patients.
Health system pharmacies are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in transforming healthcare delivery. By embracing innovation, optimizing operations and advocating for change, pharmacy leaders can ensure their organizations are not only prepared for the future but are actively shaping it. Health systems should actively engage with industry partners, participate in collaborative initiatives and commit to implementing proven solutions. With the right industry partnerships and comprehensive support systems, the future belongs to organizations that recognize pharmacy’s strategic value and invest accordingly. The challenges facing health systems are significant, but so are the opportunities.
Photo: PeopleImages, Getty Images
Matt Glucksmann serves as SVP & President of Health Systems and Government Services (HGS) at Cencora. In this role, he oversees a diverse portfolio of businesses catering to U.S. health systems and government services customers. With more than 15 years at Cencora, Matt has held various strategic positions such as SVP of Health Systems & Solutions, Group Vice President of Strategic Accounts, Vice President of Sales for Health Systems, Vice President of Health Systems Solutions & Business Development, and Director of Sales for Health Systems.
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