Cencora report flags payer restrictions as key barrier to health system pharmacy growth
COR•Cencora’s Fall 2026 survey of more than 110 health-system pharmacy leaders found payer network limits were the main barrier to patient access, with 69% of specialty prescriptions dispensed externally. Leaders cited pharmacy financial performance and revenue capture as a growth priority (87%).
1. Survey findings
More than half of surveyed health-system pharmacy leaders described their strategy as growth-oriented. Pharmacy financial performance and revenue capture led priorities at 87%, followed by biosimilar adoption and formulary optimization at 85%; specialty pharmacy expansion and infusion growth each registered 79%. Payer network limits were cited by 77% as a driver of external dispensing. Although pharmacy was involved in cell and gene therapy programs at all adopting health systems, only 5% said pharmacy led program management.
