Insights from the Summer 2026 Spend Management Outlook

Updated inflation projections are only part of the story when it comes to pharmacy planning. Host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Jeni Hayes and Dr. Amanda Frick, to discuss Vizient’s Summer 2026 Spend Management Outlook and why utilization trends, reimbursement, ambulatory care, and the expanding pipeline of advanced therapies are becoming just as important as inflation when preparing health systems for 2027 and beyond.   Guest speakers: Jeni Hayes, PharmD, MS Pharm, BCPS Senior Clinical Manager, Market Insights & Forecasting Vizient Clinical Spend Management   Amanda Frick, PharmD, BCPS Senior Clinical Manager, Market Insights and Forecasting Vizient Clinical Spend Management   Host:    Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm  Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance  Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence     Show notes:  01:03 Why this year's Spend Management Outlook expands beyond inflation to include utilization, reimbursement, product mix, and operational readiness.  How pharmacy leaders can use these broader market signals to make stronger strategic and financial decisions.  01:54 The updated 2027 pharmaceutical inflation projection and why it increased from the previous forecast.  Why organizations should pair national benchmarks with their own purchasing data to improve budgeting accuracy.  03:28  Three major trends transforming pharmacy planning, including ambulatory growth, utilization, and enterprise collaboration.  Why these consistent themes are changing how health systems approach long term pharmacy strategy.  04:25 How new utilization analyses provide earlier insight into future pharmacy demand than inflation data alone.  Examples of shifting trends in oncology therapies and GLP 1 medications that are influencing operational planning.  05:34 Why GLP 1 growth is creating opportunities that extend well beyond pharmacy budgeting.  How retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, pharmacist led clinics, and medication management can strengthen patient care and organizational performance.  07:10 Why pharmacy has evolved into an enterprise wide capability that impacts access, reimbursement, and financial performance.  How stronger collaboration across pharmacy, finance, revenue cycle, and clinical teams supports future readiness.  08:03  Emerging pipeline trends, including continued oncology growth and the rise of advanced therapies.  Why cell therapies, gene therapies, and RNA based medicines require organizations to prepare differently than traditional medications.  08:53  How health systems are preparing months before therapy approval by building operational and clinical infrastructure.  Why advanced therapies demand coordination across pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, finance, and physician teams.  10:33  The expansion of advanced therapies into autoimmune, neurologic, cardiac, and rare disease treatment.  Why organizations must balance planning for both high cost therapies and therapies with growing patient demand.  11:44 How pipeline monitoring has evolved into a strategic planning tool rather than simply tracking approvals.  Why early preparation helps organizations identify operational gaps before new therapies reach the market.  12:36  Key takeaways on preparing for the future of pharmacy through utilization data, operational planning, and enterprise collaboration.  Resources available through the Spend Management Outlook Insights Hub to support local budgeting and long term strategy.    Links and Resources:  Vizient Spend Management Outlook Insight Hub    Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS Feed