Pharmacy is no longer the fastest-growing non-labor expense in healthcare.
According to Vizient’s “Winter 2026 Spend Management Outlook,” released Feb. 3, overall healthcare supply chain inflation of 2.78% is projected from July 2026 through June 2027, with IT, facilities and purchased services now outpacing pharmacy in cost growth. Pharmacy price inflation is expected to moderate to 2.84%, down from 3.35% six months ago, driven by biosimilar adoption and early impacts of Medicare drug price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act.
IT hardware and software top the inflation forecast at 5.66%, followed by medical gases at 5%, IT services at 4.5%, facilities management at 4.13% and food at 3.63%. Vizient said these categories reflect growing investment in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.
The report also cited a 24% increase in radiopharmaceutical utilization between 2023 and 2024, with theranostic-related capital investment expected to grow another 24% in 2025. GLP-1 therapies continue to reshape demand, with bariatric surgery volumes down 20% since 2022 and further site-of-care shifts anticipated, the report said.
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
