Cencora report flags payer restrictions squeezing health-system pharmacy patient access
COR•A Cencora survey of more than 110 U.S. health-system pharmacy leaders found payer restrictions constrained growth plans. Seventy-seven percent cited payer network restrictions, and 74% cited payer approval requirements.
1. Payer restrictions limit access
More than half of surveyed leaders described their strategies as growth-oriented; 87% prioritized pharmacy financial performance and 85% prioritized biosimilars or formulary optimization. Specialty access remained a challenge, with 69% of specialty prescriptions dispensed outside health systems despite faster internal therapy starts. Only 5% said pharmacy leads cell and gene therapy programs, although pharmacy was involved at every current adopter.
