Rethinking Pharmacy Services Across Health Systems
Hospitals and health systems are moving pharmacy services from cost center to growth engine. The aim isn’t just to keep the lights on. It’s to deliver more value to patients, clinicians, and the organization at the same time. Recent industry insights show that a majority of hospital and health system executives are already laying the groundwork for this shift.
What Recent Research Signals
A new industry report from Maxor, based on input from 78 pharmacy leaders, points to a clear change in how executives view pharmacy operations. With rising costs and ongoing talent shortages, leaders are pursuing practical ways to streamline work, improve efficiency, and open up new revenue opportunities—all without compromising care.
Pharmacy Expansion Is Picking Up Pace
One standout finding: nearly 62% of surveyed organizations plan to expand pharmacy services, including opening new locations. That momentum is encouraging. Still, leaders recognize that expansion without the right strategy, support systems, and partners can strain teams and dilute results.
Why Strategic Partnerships Matter
Health system leaders also see the risks of standing still. Inaction can leave pharmacy assets underused, worsen patient adherence, and invite more competition from larger, integrated vendors. As Mike Ellis, CEO of Maxor National Pharmacy Services, notes, aligning with the right pharmacy partners can unlock significant clinical and financial value. Those partnerships help build integrated pharmacy strategies that strengthen patient care and raise organizational performance.
Gaps to Close—and Opportunities to Capture
Nearly three-quarters of surveyed executives want real-time data on script leakage, yet less than a third have it today. That gap is telling. Many organizations also lack a clear view of their pharmacy capture rates: around 50% are either unsure or report rates below 30%. Closing these data and visibility gaps is a direct path to better revenue capture and more consistent care.
Preparing for the Next Few Years
Looking ahead, 29% of respondents feel very confident they can meet growing demand for pharmacy services in the coming years. Optimism is a start; action makes it real. Leaders are prioritizing ways to find cost savings and generate new revenue within existing facilities. By addressing unmet patient needs and leaning into the right partnerships, hospitals can put their pharmacy services to work—improving both revenue and day-to-day effectiveness.
Conclusion: Building a Durable Pharmacy Strategy
Transforming pharmacy services is more than a financial exercise. It’s a holistic effort that ties together patient care, operational discipline, and clear strategy. As the healthcare landscape keeps shifting, C-suite leaders have an opening to rethink pharmacy—and to act on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main goal of transforming pharmacy services?
To shift pharmacy from a cost center to a growth driver while improving patient care and operational efficiency across the system.
How do partnerships strengthen hospital pharmacy operations?
Aligned partners help design and run integrated pharmacy strategies, which can unlock clinical and financial value and support better patient outcomes.
Why does real-time data on scripts matter?
It reveals script leakage and other key metrics, giving leaders the visibility they need to fix gaps, streamline workflows, and capture revenue that might otherwise be lost.
How many organizations plan to expand pharmacy services?
Nearly 62% of surveyed organizations intend to expand, including opening new pharmacy locations.
What are the biggest hurdles to pharmacy transformation?
Limited real-time data, low or unknown capture rates, underused pharmacy assets, and growing competition from larger, integrated vendors.
