As health systems seek new sources of revenue and means for improving performance under value-based payment, some are turning to an unlikely source: their own pharmacies. Pharmacies look to unleash their ability to manage chronic disease, reduce readmissions through rigorous medication reconciliation while a patient is in the hospital, and help keep patients from returning to the hospital.  Drug price hyperinflation has hit the U.S., with annual price increases of 20% or more. If for no other reason, pharmacy needs to help slow spending on drugs.  Discover steps IDNs can take to reduce drug spend, including finding clinical alternatives to overpriced drugs, centralizing inventory control, and using contracting to leverage better prices.

 

Learning Objectives:
1.  Demonstrate how pharmacy can help manage patient populations, especially through medication reconciliation.

2.  Evaluate ways that pharmacists can help reduce costly readmissions.

3.  Outline how drug price hyperinflation is harming IDNs’ bottom line, and what to do about it.