VerifiedRx Podcast By Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence cover art

VerifiedRx

VerifiedRx

By: Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence
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Delivering short doses of insight for hospitals’ frontline pharmacy professionals, the Vizient pharmacy team brings together experts to verify best practices for navigating today’s pharmacy practice challenges and accelerating career growth. It’s a prescription for success, delivered by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Physical Illness & Disease Science
Episodes
  • Checkpoint Change: Rethinking How PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors Are Delivered

    Checkpoint Change: Rethinking How PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors Are Delivered
    Mar 17 2026
    Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1 and PD-L1 have transformed the treatment landscape across a wide variety of cancers, becoming foundational therapies in oncology. Dr. Stacey Sobocinski and Dr. Michele Rice join host Dr. Kerry Schwarz to discuss what the new subcutaneous PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors could mean for oncology practice. They cover the three agents that have become available in subcutaneous formulations, their advantages and disadvantages, other important operational, financial, clinical, and safety issues for health systems to consider. Guest speaker:  Stacey Sobocinski, Pharm.D., BCPS Associate Director, Pharmacy Medication Management & Informatics MD Anderson Cancer Center Michele Rice, Pharm.D., BCOP Senior Consulting Solutions Director Vizient Pharmacy Enterprise Solutions Host:  Kerry Schwarz, Pharm.D., MPH Senior Clinical Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine and Outcomes Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  Show Notes: 00:05 — Introduction Announcer welcomes listeners to VerifiedRx, produced by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence. 00:14 — Episode Overview Host Kerry introduces the topic: new subcutaneous formulations of PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors.These therapies have traditionally been administered intravenously (IV) in infusion centers.Recently approved subcutaneous versions include: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda Qlex)Nivolumab (Opdivo Qvantig)Atezolizumab (Tecentriq Hybreza) Potential benefits include shorter administration times and relief for infusion centers operating at capacity.Guests: Stacy Sobacinski, Associate Director of Pharmacy Medication Management and Informatics, MD Anderson Cancer Center Michelle Rice, Senior Pharmacy Enterprise Solutions Director, Vizient 01:39 — Clinical Data: Efficacy, Safety & Pharmacokinetics Subcutaneous formulations were approved in combination with hyaluronidase, allowing full-dose subcutaneous administration.Clinical studies demonstrated: Comparable pharmacokineticsSimilar efficacySimilar safety profiles compared to IV formulations The main difference observed was local injection site reactions, expected with subcutaneous administration. 02:32 — Confidence in Clinical Comparisons Although direct head-to-head trials are limited, extensive experience with IV formulations supports confidence in safety and efficacy.Differences largely relate to administration method, not drug activity. 03:11 — Operational Impact: Changes to Workflow Subcutaneous administration introduces new operational considerations.Shorter injection times may appear advantageous, but real-world workflow impact is still being evaluatedMuch of a patient’s visit still involves: Waiting room timeLaboratory testingProvider visitsCare coordination 04:06 — Chair Time vs Total Visit Time For therapies previously requiring longer infusions, switching to subcutaneous injections can significantly reduce chair time.For therapies previously infused over 30 minutes, the difference between IV and subcutaneous administration time may be less impactful. 04:24 — Administration Challenges Subcutaneous doses are not small-volume injections.Injection volumes may reach 10–15 mLNursing considerations include: Patient tolerance for larger-volume injections.IV infusions allow nurses to start the infusion and attend to other tasks.Subcutaneous injections require continuous nursing presence during administration.This may increase direct nursing time. 05:05 — Equipment Considerations Some centers may use syringe pumps to administer subcutaneous injections.Many adult infusion centers do not currently have pumps since chemotherapy is typically delivered via IV using infusion pumps.Implementing syringe pumps could require additional equipment and associated procedures. 05:32 — Operational Complexity Transitioning to subcutaneous therapy involves more than simply switching order sets.Organizations must evaluate: Staffing modelsNursing workflowsEquipment availabilityInfusion center capacity management. 06:25 — Financial Considerations Subcutaneous formulations are currently priced roughly at parity with IV versions.Manufacturers may be incentivized to transition providers to subcutaneous formulations before biosimilars enter the market. 07:07 — Anticipating Market Dynamics Over time, pricing strategies may shift to encourage broader adoption.Biosimilar competition for these agents is expected within the next few years. 07:11 — Site of Care Considerations Adoption may vary by care setting: Hospital outpatient departmentsPhysician officesFreestanding infusion centers 08:06 — Strategic Timing Decisions Health systems may weigh: Operational advantages of subcutaneous administrationPotential cost reductions from future biosimilars Some organizations may delay adoption until biosimilar competition arrives. 08:24 — Infusion Center Optimization Subcutaneous ...
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    12 mins
  • Winter 2026 Spend Management Outlook

    Winter 2026 Spend Management Outlook
    Feb 4 2026
    Dr. Jeni Hayes, Senior Clinical Manager, Strategic Clinical Intelligence, and Dr. Heather Pace, Senior Clinical Manager, Ambulatory Care, join host Carolyn Liptak to discuss the Vizient Winter 2026 Spend Management Outlook, with a focus on pharmacy projections and key changes from prior outlooks. The episode also covers ambulatory care and self-administered drugs, biosimilar therapeutic insights, and dynamic pharmacy market forces. Guest speaker:  Jeni Hayes, PharmD, BCPS  Senior Clinical Manager, Strategic Clinical Intelligence Vizient Spend Management Solutions Heather Pace, PharmD  Senior Clinical Manager, Ambulatory Care Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  Host:  Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance & Revenue Integrity Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence (CPPE) Vizient Show Notes: 00:05 — Introduction Announcer welcomes listeners to Verified Rx, produced by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence. 00:14 — Episode Overview Host Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director at Vizient, introduces the Winter 2026 Spend Management Outlook (SMO).Focus areas: Pharmacy inflation projectionsAcute vs ambulatory care trendsProvider-administered vs self-administered drugsBiosimilar therapeutic insightsDynamic pharmacy market forces shaping 2026–2030 Guests: Jeni Hayes, Senior Clinical Manager, Strategic Clinical Intelligence Heather Pace, Senior Clinical Manager, Ambulatory Care 01:09 — What Is the Spend Management Outlook (SMO)? Biannual Vizient publication projecting price trends across healthcare spend categories.Pharmacy headline: Inflation slightly lower than last editionTotal spend still rising, driven by utilization growth and new technologies 01:49 — Top-Line Pharmacy Inflation Projection 2.84% projected drug inflation for purchases between July 2026 – June 2027.Down from 3.35% in the prior edition.Based on October 2024 – September 2025 wholesaler data.Heavily weighted toward highest-spend drugs.Contracted products show lower inflation; non-contract drugs still ~70% of spend. 02:45 — Inflation by Site of Care Acute Care 3.03% projected inflationDriven by: SugammadexKcentraClotting factors Ambulatory Care 2.85% overall, but with key divergence: Provider-administered drugs: 3.35%Self-administered drugs: 2.43% 04:02 — Provider-Administered Drugs: What’s Driving Growth Oncology infusions are the main drivers.Key agents: KeytrudaDarzalex Faspro Continued growth due to: Expanded indicationsIncreased outpatient infusion utilization Oncology split by site of care: Inpatient: High-cost CAR T (e.g., Yescarta)Outpatient: Infusions, bispecifics, emerging cellular therapies Emphasizes importance of site of care strategy. 05:14 — Self-Administered Drugs: Utilization Over Inflation Five key drivers: Autoimmune / inflammatory: Skyrizi, Dupixent, RinvoqDiabetes / metabolic / weight loss: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound Spend growth fueled by: Media exposureExpanded indicationsIncreased patient demand Opportunity for: Retail & specialty pharmacy optimizationMargin capturePatient support (adherence, counseling, benefits investigation) 06:45 — New Section: Dynamic Pharmacy Market Forces (2026–2030) Seven strategic forces influencing pharmacy practice: Growth in specialty and cell & gene therapiesExpansion of value- and outcomes-based contractingSiteofcare shifts toward ambulatory and homeDigital transformation & automationSupply assurance and resilienceExpanded pharmacist clinical scope & workforce modelsRegulatory and policy efforts to lower drug prices 340B changesIRA Medicare Part D negotiations 09:37 — Practical Takeaways for Pharmacy Leaders Use 2.84% inflation as a baseline — then customize using Vizient Pharmacy Analytics.Leverage segmented views to prioritize: Acute vs ambulatory strategiesProvider-administered vs self-administered drugs Identify top spend movers and align them with long-term market forces.Consider: Specialty pharmacy expansionSite of care optimization 10:48 — Biosimilar Therapeutic Insights: 2025 Recap Heather Pace highlights: Shift from biosimilar approval to active adoption management.Ustekinumab (Stelara) as defining example: Multiple biosimilarsUptake driven by payer and PBM strategy Utilization varies widely based on: Formulary designBenefit alignment Biosimilars now actively steered, not passively adopted. 11:50 — Why Stelara Was a Turning Point PBM-developed, private-label biosimilars drove adoption.Net cost and copay design outweighed: Interchangeability statusManufacturer differentiation Sets expectations for future biologic launches. 12:25 — Operational Impact for Health Systems Expect payer-specific product preferences.Frequent switching will become routine.Key considerations: Siteofcare mandatesProduct presentationSupply chain logisticsBilling & reimbursement complexity Clinical barriers are decreasing; workflow flexibility is critical....
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    20 mins
  • CDC Childhood Immunization Schedule Updates (January 2026)

    CDC Childhood Immunization Schedule Updates (January 2026)
    Jan 27 2026
    John Schoen, Senior Clinical Manager of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information in Vizient's Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence and Vizient's vaccine subject matter expert, joins host Stacy Lauderdale to discuss key updates to the CDC's childhood Immunization schedule and what they mean for practice. Guest speaker:  John Schoen, PharmD, BCPS  Senior Clinical Manager of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information   Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  Host:  Stacy Lauderdale, PharmD, BCPS  Associate Vice President Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  Verified Rx Host Show Notes: 00:00 — Introduction Announcer welcomes listeners to Verified Rx, produced by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence. 00:14 — Episode Overview Host Stacy Lauderdale introduces the topic: updates to the CDC’s U.S. Childhood Immunization Schedule, revised January 20, 2026.Goal of the episode: explain what changed, what didn’t, and what it means in practice for providers, pharmacists, and families.Guest: John Schoen, Senior Clinical Manager of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information at Vizient and vaccine subject matter expert. 01:16 — What Changed in the CDC Immunization Schedule CDC reorganized the schedule into three recommendation categories.Vaccines were reclassified, not removed.Number of diseases covered under “routine” recommendations decreased from 17 to 11 due to recategorization. 01:50 — Stated Rationale Behind the Changes Rationale provided in executive summary of scientific assessment.The supporting scientific assessment is available online and referenced for transparency (link in resources below). 03:19 — Were Any Vaccines Removed? No vaccines were removed from the CDC schedule.Some vaccines were shifted into different recommendation categories. 03:40 — Category 1: Routine Childhood Vaccinations Vaccines still routinely recommended for all children include: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)PolioTdap / DTaPHib (Haemophilus influenzae type B)PneumococcalHPVVaricella (chickenpox) 04:27 — Category 2: Vaccines for High-Risk Populations Vaccines recommended for children who meet specific high-risk criteria: RSV monoclonal antibodies (mAb)Hepatitis AHepatitis BQuadrivalent meningococcalMeningococcal group BDengue 05:19 — What Changed vs. Stayed the Same Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and quadrivalent meningococcal moved from routine to high-riskRSV mAb recommendations are effectively unchanged, as high-risk infants are defined as those born to mothers who did not receive the maternal RSV vaccine.Dengue remains risk-based.Meningococcal group B remains a mix of risk-based and shared clinical decision-making. 06:31 — Category 3: Shared Clinical Decision Making (SCDM) Defined by ACIP as an individualized decision made jointly by provider and parent/guardian.Allows vaccination when risk-based criteria are not met but benefit is still considered. 06:52 — Vaccines Under SCDM Vaccines now include: InfluenzaCOVID-19RotavirusHepatitis AHepatitis BQuadrivalent meningococcalMeningococcal group B 08:05 — What’s New in SCDM Influenza and rotavirus moved from routine to SCDM.Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and quadrivalent meningococcal also shifted.COVID-19 moved to SCDM in September 2025 for individuals ≥6 months. 08:28 — Insurance Coverage Implications No expected changes in coverage.Vaccines recommended by CDC as of December 31, 2025 remain: Covered without cost-sharing under Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans.Covered by Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. 09:14 — Impact on Pharmacy Vaccine Access Pharmacists are considered healthcare providers under CDC SCDM definitions.Authority to administer vaccines primarily determined by state laws. Standing orders, protocols, and collaborative practice agreements may need to be updated, as applicable, to address language related to ‘routine’ immunizations for children. 10:27 — Recommendations for Providers & Organizations For providers: Become familiar with schedule changes.Be prepared for patient and parent education.Recognize differences between CDC and other professional guidelines. For organizations: Review EHR documentation and order sets.Consult local state regulations to ensure compliance with vaccine administration practices. Review standing orders/protocols and collaborative practice agreements to determine if revisions are needed. Monitor vaccine utilization and adjust inventory accordingly. 11:24 — Resources & Closing Additional CDC and Vizient resources will be linked in the show notes.Announcer closes with subscription and feedback reminder. Links | Resources: HHS press release on changes to childhood immunizations schedule Assessment of US childhood and adolescent immunization schedule HHS fact sheet: CDC childhood immunization schedule Revised CDC child and adolescent ...
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    12 mins
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