Pharmacy Pressures Are Mounting - Is Your Health System Ready?

Hospitals and health systems are facing escalating pharmacy-related challenges that span access, affordability, workforce sustainability, and supply chain resilience. These issues, highlighted in the American Hospital Association’s 2026 Environmental Scan, underscore the urgent need for strategic planning.

The report, released December 3, serves as a roadmap for healthcare leaders, outlining trends in finance, AI adoption, chronic disease management, and more. Among its findings, five pharmacy-specific insights stand out:

1. Prescription Drug Denials Are Increasing

Private insurers denied nearly 23% of prescription drug claims in 2023, up from 18% in 2016. This trend places additional strain on hospital and ambulatory pharmacies, complicating efforts to improve medication adherence and manage chronic conditions.

2. Cost Concerns Are Driving Non-Adherence

Financial barriers are reshaping patient behavior. Nearly one in four adults opted for over-the-counter medications instead of filling prescriptions due to cost, while 36% delayed or skipped care entirely. These patterns raise alarms for hospitals focused on population health and reducing avoidable readmissions.

3. Pharmacist Burnout Leads All Clinical Roles

Pharmacy professionals reported a 65% burnout rate in 2024, the highest among clinical occupations and surpassing nurses (53%) and physicians (50%). This level of fatigue threatens medication safety, stewardship programs, and long-term workforce retention.

4. Fragile Drug Supply Chains Persist

Over 90% of generic sterile injectable drugs depend on materials sourced internationally, leaving hospitals vulnerable to shortages, price volatility, and geopolitical disruptions.

5. Drug Costs Are Consuming Larger Budgets

Pharmaceutical expenses now account for 9% of hospital spending, alongside 13% for supplies. With inflation outpacing Medicare reimbursement, hospitals have limited capacity to absorb further cost increases.

Why This Matters — and What Comes Next

These trends aren’t isolated—they’re converging to create a perfect storm for pharmacy operations. Rising denials, patient affordability challenges, workforce burnout, and fragile supply chains will directly impact care quality, financial stability, and organizational resilience.

Now is the time to act. Hospitals and health systems should begin building comprehensive pharmacy strategies that anticipate these pressures. This means:

• Investing in workforce well-being to mitigate burnout and retain talent.

• Strengthening supply chain partnerships and exploring domestic sourcing options.

• Leveraging technology and AI for prior authorization, medication adherence, and predictive analytics.

• Developing patient affordability programs to reduce cost-related non-adherence.

• Aligning pharmacy initiatives with value-based care goals to drive both clinical and financial outcomes.

  
  

Proactive planning today will position organizations to navigate tomorrow’s challenges with confidence. Waiting until these issues peak will only compound risk and cost. The question isn’t if these pressures will intensify, it’s how prepared we’ll be when they do.