Visante 
Last year we highlighted three major pharmacy supply chain trends: health system investment in consolidated pharmacy service centers (CPSCs), home infusion therapy continued growth, and renewed focus on cost savings. As 2022 ends, it is safe to say that all three trends have played out as predicted this past year and will continue in 2023. Here, we’d like to focus on CPSCs and common trends to watch for.
In 2022, Visante partnered with many health systems in various capacities and at different phases of their CPSC journey. While each journey is different, there are some common trends that we have observed.
CSPCs becoming more prevalent
Most health systems are looking to build comprehensive CPSCs, comprising pharmacy, medical and surgical supply chain, and other support services. Often, health systems view this strategy as an opportunity for multiple services to collaborate and achieve efficiencies from shared service needs, such as transportation and logistics. Furthermore, it allows for shared savings related to the actual facility build. We expect this trend to continue in 2023.
Pharmacy generating positive ROI
Although construction costs have drastically increased, health systems are still producing positive returns on their investment in as little as three years. Pharmacy is often generating over 80% of the return across multiple pharmacy verticals, including pharmacy supply chain, specialty pharmacy, home infusion therapy, compounding and repackaging, and clinic distribution.
CSPCs support adaptability in volatile market
Consolidating pharmacy operations, and specific pharmacy verticals, can help streamline operations and build in scalability and redundancy. This allows systems to better control for drug shortages and staffing efficiencies that may help with ongoing staffing challenges that have persisted beyond the pandemic.
Overall, even while we observe some health systems decreasing capital funding, we expect these organizations to continue to invest resources in CSPCs. This is due to the scalability and long-term returns that systems can expect related to these operations. Pharmacy plays an important role in funding these centers, and pharmacy leaders should engage with key organizational leaders to drive forward these discussions. Often, it will require partnering with multiple other departments within the system to get a CSPC initiative off the ground.
