New data from the summer Vizient Spend Management Outlook show that in the inpatient space, high-cost drugs, especially CAR-T treatments like Yescarta and Breyanzi are major drivers of drug spend. To help offset these costs, certain therapies may qualify for additional reimbursement through the New Technology Add-On payment (NTAP), a program that supports innovations that substantially improve care for Medicare beneficiaries. Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director at the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence joins host Stacy Lauderdale, Associate Vice President of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information at Vizient to cover the purpose of this add-on payment, the criteria necessary for drugs to qualify and strategies to capture its full value.

Guest Speaker:

Carolyn Liptak, MBA, RPh Pharmacy Executive Director Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

Host: Stacy Lauderdale, PharmD, BCP  Associate Vice President Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  Verified Rx Host

Show Notes:

[01:02-03:38] Overview of NTAP and why CMS created the program

[03:39-05:02] How DRG recalibration depends on broad adoption

[05:03-07:17] Criteria for medications to quality for NTAP status

[07:18-08:24] Who determines whether a therapy represents substantial clinical improvement

[08:25-10:05] The value NTAP provides to hospitals

[10:06-11:51] How to locate products that are eligible for NTAP

[11:52-16:22] Best practices to ensure that NTAP payment is captured when the drug is used

[16:23-17:22] Resources for additional information

Links | Resources:

• Payment Updates: Preparing for 2026 - On Demand
• New Medical Services and New Technologies
• FY 2026 IPPS Final Rule Home Page
• MAC Implementation File 8 (ZIP) – FY 2026 New Technology Add-on Payment
• CMS Web Pricer

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As the Drug Supply Chain Security Act dispenser exemption period winds down, the Vizient Standards implementation team announced an important change to the Vizient Global Location Number (GLN) Management program. The data standards team will inactivate unmanaged GLNs, which will impact pharmacies and other providers who are not currently managing their Vizient assigned GLNs. Two experts leading that conversation, Carl Henshaw, Senior Director, Data Operations, Enterprise Information and Data Management, and Dawn Burtram, Lead Analyst, Standards Implementation at Vizient join host Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director in the Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence at Vizient to discuss implications.

Guest speakers:

Dawn Bertram, MBA

Lead Analyst Standards Implementation

Vizient

Carl Henshaw

Senior Director, Data Operations, Enterprise Information and Data Management

Vizient

Host: 

Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm

Show Notes:

[01:08-01:59] Dawn and Carl’s background

[02:00-02:41] What exactly is a GLN and what does it mean to be self-managed

[02:42-07:26] Who creates and maintains GLNs in this data hub and the three different GLN products

[07:27-08:51] How to determine who actually enumerated the GLNs

[08:52-10:20] Educating and preparing providers for the DSCSA compliance deadline

[10:21-12:37] The recent decision to inactivate unmanaged GNS and why it's essential to maintaining the accuracy and reliability of GLN data

[12:38-15:05] What it means to participate in our program and who's eligible to participate

[15:06-17:51] Why the deadline of November 15th matters

Links | Resources:

Vizient GLN Learning Center

GLN Management Process Education Session (E-Learning)

VGMP Application

GS1 What is a GLN and How Do I Get One? 

Drug Supply Chain Security Act

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The Joint Commission’s updated accreditation manual is designed to simplify requirements, enhance clarity, and better support healthcare organizations in survey preparation. In this episode of VerifiedRx, host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Robert Campbell of the Joint Commission and Diana Scott of Vizient to unpack the most significant changes. From the shift to National Performance Goals and medication safety priorities to the latest challenges in compounding, labeling, and hazardous drug handling, the conversation highlights practical insights to help pharmacy leaders stay compliant and survey-ready.

Guest speakers:

Robert Campbell, PharmD, BCSCP

Sr. Director, Standards Interpretation, Accreditation Decision Management,Medication Safety Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations

Joint Commission

Diana Scott, MHA, RN, CPHQ

Principal, Regulatory and Accreditation Services

Vizient

Host:

Carolyn Liptak, , BS Pharm, MBA 

Vizient

Show Notes:

[01:16-01:51] Diana and Robert Backgrounds

[01:52-02:43] Changes made to the hospital and critical access hospital manuals

[02:44-03:09] Changes to the chapters themselves

[03:10-04:08] National Performance Goals and elaborate on those that are relevant to medication safety and pharmacy services

[04:09-05:15] The top medication management challenges

[05:16-06:29] Pain management not being aligned and titration orders

[06:30-06:56] Insufficient communication between pharmacists, prescribers and nurses when it comes to medication orders

[06:57-08:02] Themes around labeling requirements for stored medications

[08:03-08:46] Anything different in removing expired meds from patient care areas and in the pharmacy this area than previous years

[08:47-10:58] Issues related to storing meds specifically per the package insert

[10:59-11:55] Common issues seen inside the pharmacy regarding sterile compounding, noncompliance include hand hygiene, garbing, PPE, and cleaning and disinfecting

[11:56-13:12] More specifics in those area the physical environment and facility cleanliness along with cleaning and disinfection practices

[13:13-14:55] Explaination of how joint Commission defines and evaluates immediate use compounding

[14:56-16:09] The minimum required elements for immediate use compounding competency

[16:10-17:12] Compounding competencies besides immediate use

[17:13-17:54] Expectations for environmental services training

[17:55- 20:14] Concerns around hazardous drugs

[20:15- 21:14] Additional information

Links | Resources:

Joint Commission: THE NEW STANDARD: Accreditation 360

For Members: On-Demand webinar and CE information

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Drug diversion threatens patient and staff safety—and preventing it requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. In this episode, Dr. Ruth Igwegbe and Shealee Mitchell of JPS Health Network join host Carolyn Liptak to share how their organization transformed a fragmented diversion process into a high-functioning, collaborative program. From building trust with frontline teams to using AI software and proactive data monitoring, Ruth and Shealee highlight how culture, consistency, and communication are essential to effective diversion prevention. Tune in for actionable strategies that elevate both patient safety and professional accountability.

Guest speakers:

Dr. Ruth Igwegbe PharmD, MBA,

Pharmacy medication safety officer

JPS Health Network

Shealee Mitchell, BS, RN, MJur

Pharmacy medication safety officer

JPS Health Network

Host:

Carolyn Liptak, BS Pharm, MBA 

Vizient

Show Notes:

[01:02-02:32] Ruth and Shealee Backgrounds

[02:33-04:46] Background on diversion detection and prevention program at JPS

[04:47-06:55] Shealee's clinical background and how it shaped how she works with teams across the organization

[06:56-09:20] How the JPS diversion response team evolved

[09:21-13:55] Advice to our listeners to strengthen their own diversion prevention programs

[13:56-16:03] Where our listeners should go to get more information about drug diversion prevention and detection programs

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The Vizient Summer 2025 Spend Management Outlook (SMO) provides an integrated perspective on trends, factors and future expenses providers will face across the various dimensions of healthcare. In this episode, Dr. Carina Dolan and Dr. Jeni Hayes join host Carolyn Liptak to discuss pharmacy insights from the SMO including declining drug price inflation and how autoimmune conditions have surpassed oncology in total pharmacy costs. They also touch on pediatric spend drivers, biosimilar competition, and the impact of novel therapies. Tune in to VerifiedRx for practical insights to help pharmacy leaders plan for what’s ahead.

Guest speakers:

Carina Dolan, Pharm. D., MS Pharm, BCOP Associate Vice President, Clinical Oncology, Pharmacoeconomics and Market Insights Vizient Jeni Hayes, PharmD, MS Pharm, BCPS Senior Clinical Manager, Market Intelligence Vizient  Host:  Carolyn Liptak, BS Pharm, MBA VerifiedRx Host

Show Notes:

[01:13-02:41] Key pharmacy trends emerging from the Summer SMO

[02:42-04:00] Current pharmacy trends

[04:01-05:55] Pharmacy spend for autoimmune conditions has exceeded that of oncology

[05:56-07:36] Key takeaways

[07:37-08:47] Significant trends in this latest therapeutic insights update

[08:48-10:04] Challenges in gene and cell therapy space

[10:05-11:33] The Therapeutic Insights webpage for pediatrics

[11:34-13:41] Other reflections from the SMO

[13:42-14:49] How to locate the SMO

Links | Resources:

Vizient Spend Management Outlook

Vizient Therapeutic class insights

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Drug shortages continue to be a significant issue in the healthcare system, affecting various aspects of patient care and imposing substantial costs on hospitals and health systems. According to Vizient's 2024 drug shortages survey, U.S. hospitals are spending approximately 20 million hours annually managing these shortages, resulting in nearly $900 million in associated labor costs. The survey highlights that 74% of facilities reported exceeding their pharmacy budgets due to drug shortages, with pediatric facilities facing particularly significant financial and labor strain.

Kyle Hoelting, director of pharmacy supply assurance and stewardship and Nikola Markoski, director of pharmacy sourcing strategic solutions and analytics join host Katie Korte, vice president Vizient Reserve to delve into the results of Vizient’s 2024 drug shortage survey.

Guest speakers:

Kyle Hoelting, Pharm.D, BCPS

Director, Pharmacy Supply Assurance & Stewardship

Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

Nikola Markoski, Pharm.D, MBA

Director, Pharmacy Sourcing Strategic Solutions & Analytics

Vizient

Host:

Katie Kortie, Pharm.D, MHA, BCPS, BCCCP

Vice President, Strategy & Program Lead, Vizient Reserve

Vizient

Show Notes:

[00:47-01:14] Kyle and Niko Backgrounds

[01:15-05:04] What's different about this year's survey and what made 2023 a critical year in the drug shortage landscape

[05:05-08:27] How data was collected, what did the mix of information tells us and the biggest insights or patterns that surfaced in the survey

[08:28-12:25] What Vizient’s built or enabled that’s made a difference in this space

[12:26-15:55] How best to prepare for and respond to shortages from an inventory perspective

Links | Resources:

• Beyond the Shortage: The Hidden Cost of Drug Supply Chain Disruptions
• Drug shortage stewardship: A novel solution for an old problem
• Vizient Key performance indicators for the management of drug shortages
• Vizient Essential Medications List

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We all know that clinician burnout negatively impacts the quality of patient care. That's why pharmacy residency accrediting bodies now emphasize resident well-being and professional sustainability as core components of residency training earlier in clinician careers. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Accreditation Standards for PGY1 and PGY2 Pharmacy Residencies include a formal requirement for programs to address resilience, well-being, and burnout prevention, reflecting the increasing recognition of burnout in healthcare. Joining us to talk that out are Tony Huke, Senior Pharmacy Executive Director with Vizient Pharmacy Advisory Solutions and Kendra Gage, Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist and the PGY 1 Residency Program Director at UCHealth, University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

Guest speakers:

Tony Huke, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP

Senior Pharmacy Executive Director

Vizient Pharmacy Advisory Solutions

Kendra Gage, PharmD, BCPS

Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director

UCHealth

Host:

Kerry Schwarz, PharmD, MPH

Senior Clinical Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine and Outcomes

Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence (CPPE)

Show Notes:

[01:11-03:25] What’s new at the national level in terms of pharmacy resident resiliency and well-being

[03:26-03:56] The intentionality of well-being in pharmacy residency programs

[03:57-05:12] Examples from Kendra’s program

[05:13-06:40] Program expectations to address resilience

[06:41-08:33] Assessment and potential metrics of resiliency programs

[08:34-11:06] The role of pharmacy leadership and residency program directors in resiliency

[11:07-12:34] Impact of resiliency programs so far

Links | Resources:

Accreditation Standards for PGY1 and PGY2 Pharmacy Residencies

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