The Market Outlook Report Built for Action, Not Just Insights

Today's healthcare challenges require a new approach. It’s time to expect more from your market intelligence. The Second Annual Market Outlook Report delivers clear direction on where to focus your energy, what to ignore, and actionable next steps for the next year.

Expert-Driven Guidance

Deep SME insights reveal WHY trends matter

Strategic Clarity

Connect the dots between market forces and tangible solutions

Focused Action

Understand what matters most to YOUR health system

The Market Outlook Report Built for Action, Not Just Insights

Expert-Driven Guidance

Deep SME insights reveal WHY trends matter

Strategic Clarity

Connect the dots between market forces and tangible solutions

Focused Action

Understand what matters most to YOUR health system

Access the Full 2026 Outlook Report

Critical Market Areas

25+

Subject Matter Experts Interviewed

100%

Actionable Insights

Tired of Market Reports that don't help you move forward?

The stakes have never been higher for health systems. You need more than surface-level trends. You need tangible solutions that help you achieve your strategic objectives.

Same Problems, No Solutions

Most reports tell you about challenges you already know exist, without offering real direction or actionable pathways forward.

Repetitive Surface Analysis

The same trends rehashed year after year, with no depth into what's actually driving change or what specific levers are at play.

Missing the Connection

You finish reading but still don't know how to connect market trends to your drug utilization, operational priorities, or strategic decisions.

See How Leaders Use This Report to Drive Strategy

Hear directly from our team about what makes this market outlook different and how to get the most value from it.

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A Different Approach to Market Intelligence

We take a holistic view of your unique organization and apply advanced analytics to reveal insights and opportunities that move the dial on operations and patient care.

Subject Matter Experts, Not Headlines

Connect the Dots
to Action

Relentless Pursuit
of Value

Subject Matter Experts, Not Headlines

We interviewed leading SMEs in every major category to understand WHY trends are happening, what's driving them, and what specific levers are at play in 2026.

Connect the Dots to Action

We connect trends to tangible solutions across our enterprise and partners. See how market forces impact your health system and what you can do about it.

Relentless Pursuit of Value

We're relentless in our pursuit to help you identify opportunities, improve your operations, and make decisions for your health system with confidence.

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Six Critical Areas Shaping Health System Pharmacy in 2026

Each chapter explores the most impactful emerging and ongoing trends influencing health system pharmacy today, with clear implications for strategy, operations, and investment decisions—plus practical guidance to help leaders act with confidence.

Chapter 1: Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Services Evolution

Prepare your organization to compete and grow in the fastest‑expanding segment of pharmacy while managing rising clinical, operational, and financial complexity across care settings.

Chapter highlights include:

Direct‑to‑patient and direct‑to‑consumer specialty models and evolving access expectations

GLP‑1 innovation and strategies for ultra–high‑cost drugs

Specialty pharmacy optimization and infusion strategy evolution

Managing growth within a dominant specialty drug pipeline

Chapter 2: Workforce Dynamics

Address persistent staffing challenges while preparing your pharmacy workforce for expanded roles, new technologies, and evolving care models.

Chapter highlights include:

New organizational structures, skills, and technologies supporting expanded pharmacy roles

The growing scope of pharmacy informatics

Use of AI for clinical and operational tasks

Ongoing leadership evolution, staffing shortages, and technician turnover

Chapter 3: Technology & Innovation

Leverage data, analytics, and automation to improve decision‑making, streamline operations, and enhance patient safety and experience.

Chapter highlights include:

Expansion of data and analytics platforms

Improving interoperability across pharmacy systems

Establishing AI pilots, governance models, and cybersecurity safeguards

Automation advances, including inventory robotics and sterile compounding

Chapter 4: Economic Pressure, Cost Containment & Revenue Generation

Navigate sustained financial pressure with strategies that balance cost control, revenue protection, and long‑term growth.

Chapter highlights include:

Expanding ambulatory pharmacy offerings

Revenue cycle management optimization

Biosimilar expansion and adoption

Financial impacts from safety‑net program losses, pricing volatility, and 340B optimization

Chapter 5: Supply Chain Resilience

Strengthen pharmacy supply chains to protect patient care amid shortages, disruptions, and increasing demand volatility.

Chapter highlights include:

Drug shortage management and supply assurance strategies

AI and machine learning applications in supply chain analytics

Centralized sterile compounding and expanded central fill options

Digital tracking technologies, inventory automation, and formulary standardization

Onshoring initiatives by biopharma manufacturers

Chapter 6: Policy & Regulation

Anticipate regulatory change and position your organization to respond proactively as policy continues to reshape pharmacy operations and economics.

Chapter highlights include:

340B program evolution, including rebate models, pricing intersections, and potential reform

Implications of the Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare Part D changes

DSCSA implementation timelines

PBM transparency, MFN pricing considerations, GLP‑1 coverage, and state‑level policy divergence

Chapter 2: Workforce Dynamics

Address persistent staffing challenges while preparing your pharmacy workforce for expanded roles, new technologies, and evolving care models.

Chapter highlights include:

New organizational structures, skills, and technologies supporting expanded pharmacy roles

The growing scope of pharmacy informatics

Use of AI for clinical and operational tasks

Ongoing leadership evolution, staffing shortages, and technician turnover

Chapter 3: Technology & Innovation

Leverage data, analytics, and automation to improve decision‑making, streamline operations, and enhance patient safety and experience.

Chapter highlights include:

Expansion of data and analytics platforms

Improving interoperability across pharmacy systems

Establishing AI pilots, governance models, and cybersecurity safeguards

Automation advances, including inventory robotics and sterile compounding

Chapter 4: Economic Pressure, Cost Containment & Revenue Generation

Navigate sustained financial pressure with strategies that balance cost control, revenue protection, and long‑term growth.

Chapter highlights include:

Expanding ambulatory pharmacy offerings

Revenue cycle management optimization

Biosimilar expansion and adoption

Financial impacts from safety‑net program losses, pricing volatility, and 340B optimization

Chapter 5: Supply Chain Resilience

Strengthen pharmacy supply chains to protect patient care amid shortages, disruptions, and increasing demand volatility.

Chapter highlights include:

Drug shortage management and supply assurance strategies

AI and machine learning applications in supply chain analytics

Centralized sterile compounding and expanded central fill options

Digital tracking technologies, inventory automation, and formulary standardization

Onshoring initiatives by biopharma manufacturers

Chapter 6: Policy & Regulation

Anticipate regulatory change and position your organization to respond proactively as policy continues to reshape pharmacy operations and economics.

Chapter highlights include:

340B program evolution, including rebate models, pricing intersections, and potential reform

Implications of the Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare Part D changes

DSCSA implementation timelines

PBM transparency, MFN pricing considerations, GLP‑1 coverage, and state‑level policy divergence

Six Critical Areas Shaping Health System Pharmacy in 2026

Chapter 1: Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Services Evolution

Prepare your organization to compete and grow in the fastest‑expanding segment of pharmacy while managing rising clinical, operational, and financial complexity across care settings.

Chapter highlights include:

Direct‑to‑patient and direct‑to‑consumer specialty models and evolving access expectations

GLP‑1 innovation and strategies for ultra–high‑cost drugs

Specialty pharmacy optimization and infusion strategy evolution

Managing growth within a dominant specialty drug pipeline

Discover insights from health system specialty pharmacy expert Ginger Thorpe, Vice President of Health Systems Strategy & Advisory Services at McKesson and learn why now is the time for health systems to take a fresh look at their specialty pharmacy strategy.

Chapter 2: Workforce Dynamics

Address persistent staffing challenges while preparing your pharmacy workforce for expanded roles, new technologies, and evolving care models.

Chapter highlights include:

New organizational structures, skills, and technologies supporting expanded pharmacy roles

The growing scope of pharmacy informatics

Use of AI for clinical and operational tasks

Ongoing leadership evolution, staffing shortages, and technician turnover

How would you describe the new realities facing today's pharmacy workforce and health systems? We've been facing these realities for some time. Click to hear Rafael Saenz, PharmD, MS, FASHP, Vice President of Knowledge Management & Thought Leadership and his in-depth guidance on how health systems can help mitigate workforce shortages and burnout.

Chapter 3: Technology & Innovation

Leverage data, analytics, and automation to improve decision‑making, streamline operations, and enhance patient safety and experience.

Chapter highlights include:

Expansion of data and analytics platforms

Improving interoperability across pharmacy systems

Establishing AI pilots, governance models, and cybersecurity safeguards

Automation advances, including inventory robotics and sterile compounding

Gregg Niemiec, Vice President, Data & Analytics explains what distinguishes AI use cases that meaningfully improve operations from those that simply add noise?

Chapter 4: Economic Pressure, Cost Containment & Revenue Generation

Navigate sustained financial pressure with strategies that balance cost control, revenue protection, and long‑term growth.

Chapter highlights include:

Expanding ambulatory pharmacy offerings

Revenue cycle management optimization

Biosimilar expansion and adoption

Financial impacts from safety‑net program losses, pricing volatility, and 340B optimization

Christopher Shain, PharmD, Vice President of Professional & Advisory Services explains what pressures are most directly shaping the pharmacy enterprise, and how are leaders recalibrating priorities as a result?

Chapter 5: Supply Chain Resilience

Strengthen pharmacy supply chains to protect patient care amid shortages, disruptions, and increasing demand volatility.

Chapter highlights include:

Drug shortage management and supply assurance strategies

AI and machine learning applications in supply chain analytics

Centralized sterile compounding and expanded central fill options

Digital tracking technologies, inventory automation, and formulary standardization

Onshoring initiatives by biopharma manufacturers

Instead of asking why shortages happen, what should pharmacy leaders and health system executives be asking themselves to better prepare for, buffer against, or even recover from some of those shortages? Hear from Dave Ehlert, PharmD, MBA, FASHP, FACHE, VP, Center for Drug Intelligence.

Chapter 6: Policy & Regulation

Anticipate regulatory change and position your organization to respond proactively as policy continues to reshape pharmacy operations and economics.

Chapter highlights include:

340B program evolution, including rebate models, pricing intersections, and potential reform

Implications of the Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare Part D changes

DSCSA implementation timelines

PBM transparency, MFN pricing considerations, GLP‑1 coverage, and state‑level policy divergence

What regulatory trends do you believe will be most influential in shaping the environment health systems will be operating in over the next several years? Hear insights from Heather Easterling, PharmD, MBA, Vice President of Professional & Advisory Solutions.

Collaboration is More Than a Report

At McKesson, we share your passion for what is possible. We want to be your guide and navigator in achieving your strategic objectives.

We Engage by Listening

Through the power of partnership, our experts take a holistic view of your unique organization and challenges.

We Challenge the Status Quo

Focusing on the right product at the right price is no longer enough. We help you think bigger about what's possible.

We Deliver Perspective You Can't Get Elsewhere

Our unique position lets us apply advanced analytics across the continuum of care, revealing insights that drive real results.

From Insight to Impact: How to Use This Report

This isn't a report you read once and file away. It's a strategic tool designed to help you achieve more of your goals today and into the future.

Pressure Test Your Roadmap

Reduce Internal Debate

Make Decisions with Confidence

Pressure Test Your Roadmap

Compare your current initiatives against expert-driven market insights. Are you aligned? Over-invested in the wrong areas? This report helps you find out.

Reduce Internal Debate

Align your leadership team on a shared view of where the market is heading and what it means for your organization's strategic priorities.

Make Decisions with Confidence

Cut through the noise. Focus resources on what truly matters. Create velocity by knowing where to make strategic investments for maximum impact.

Ready to Achieve More in 2026?

Download the Second Annual Market Outlook Report and partner with McKesson to get the clarity, direction, and execution you need to help the business of pharmacy achieve more for the advancement of patient health.

Join pharmacy, financial, and operational leaders who are making informed decisions for 2026 with McKesson as their trusted partner.

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Strategic Planning Starts Here

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