CONNECTORx CORNERx: 040 - 2025-12-30

CONNECTORx CORNERx Pharmacy Strategy & Career Development Newsletter: 340B Savings Optimization, Pharmacy Workforce Insights, Year-End Reflection

PHARMACY STRATEGY: 340B Savings Optimization

The 340B Drug Pricing Program is facing unprecedented scrutiny. Drug manufacturers are actively implementing restrictions that limit hospitals’ ability to realize their full savings potential, while Congress considers reforms that could reshape the program entirely. These changes can be helpful or challenging, but one thing is clear: covered entities must be proactive in optimizing their 340B strategies to protect savings and sustain patient care. 

To maximize the benefits of 340B, organizations should consider these key optimization strategies: 

• Provider Eligibility 

• Referral Capture 

• Entity-Owned Pharmacies 

• Contract Pharmacy Enrollments 

• Manufacturer Restrictions – ESP Reporting 

• Manufacturer Restrictions – Pharmacy Choice 

• Alternative Distribution Model (ADM) 

• Patient Care at Covered Entity 

• Expanded Patient Definition (EPD) 

Call to Action: Don’t wait for reforms to dictate your future—take control now. Evaluate your current 340B processes and implement these strategies to safeguard your savings and continue delivering high-quality care. What strategies are you implementing or optimizing? 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Leadership Perceptions

The pharmacy profession is at a pivotal moment. Workforce shortages, evolving care models, and increasing complexity in medication management are reshaping how health systems approach talent development. At our recent national pharmacy conference, several thought-provoking sessions explored strategies to strengthen and sustain the pharmacy workforce. Here are the key takeaways: 

1. Future-Ready Pharmacy Leadership: Evolving Talent, Teams, and Tools  

This networking session focused on three critical strategies for building a resilient workforce: 

• Adapting Leadership to Evolving Work Models 

Leaders must embrace flexibility in staffing and care delivery, ensuring teams can thrive in hybrid and decentralized environments. 

• Developing and Retaining Talent Through Career Pathways 

Creating clear advancement opportunities and investing in professional growth are essential to attract and keep top talent. 

• Leveraging AI and Emerging Tools to Empower Teams and Improve Efficiency 

Artificial intelligence and automation can reduce administrative burdens, optimize workflows, and allow pharmacists to focus on clinical care. 

2. Back to the RPhuture: Addressing Workforce Shortages 

This administrative debate tackled pressing questions: 

• Current State: Workforce shortages are impacting patient care and operational efficiency. 

• Education & Expectations: Should pharmacy education evolve to meet universal practice standards? 

• Reskilling Solutions: One proposed approach is reskilling mid-level pharmacists to take on administrative and clinical responsibilities, freeing specialists for advanced care. 

The discussion highlighted the need for innovative staffing models and collaboration between academia and practice. 

3. Outcomes, Value, and Workforce Development in Specialty Pharmacy 

Specialty pharmacy continues to grow, requiring highly skilled professionals. This session focused on: 

• Aligning workforce development with value-based care goals. 

• Leveraging data analytics to demonstrate outcomes and justify staffing investments. 

• Building specialized training programs to meet patient needs in complex therapies. 

4. Hurry, Time is Wasting: Ready-to-Administer Products and Workforce Efficiency 

This session explored how ready-to-administer (RTA) products can: 

Improve cost-effectiveness and patient safety. 

Reduce preparation time, allowing pharmacists and technicians to focus on clinical care. 

Serve as a strategic solution to workforce constraints. 

What Does This Mean for Health System Pharmacy Leaders? 

The future of pharmacy workforce development hinges on innovation, collaboration, and adaptability. Leaders must: 

• Embrace technology and automation. 

• Advocate for policy changes in education and scope of practice. 
• Invest in continuous professional development to keep teams future-ready.

Call to Action 

How is your organization addressing workforce challenges? Share your strategies and join the conversation on building a resilient pharmacy workforce. 

FUN & JOY: Year-End Reflection

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect—not just on what we’ve accomplished, but on how we’ve grown. In pharmacy, the pace of change is relentless, and it’s easy to focus only on the next challenge. But reflection is a powerful tool for joy and resilience. It allows us to honor our progress, learn from our experiences, and set intentions for the future. 

The Pharmovation journey is built on bold practice advancement and meaningful connection. This year, think about the innovations you’ve embraced, the relationships you’ve strengthened, and the moments that brought you joy. Here are a few prompts to guide your reflection: 

• What innovations did you implement this year? 

     Did you launch a new service, adopt technology, or improve workflows? 

• What relationships did you nurture? 

     Consider colleagues, mentors, and patients who made an impact. 

• What moments brought you joy? 

     Think about small wins, big achievements, or meaningful interactions. 

As we step into a new year, let’s carry forward the lessons and the joy. Set aside time to celebrate your wins, acknowledge your growth, and dream big for what’s next. Joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice, and it starts with reflection. 

 What’s one achievement or joyful moment from this year that you’re most proud of—and how will you build on it in the year ahead?