Cencora’s Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions report offers a roadmap for pharmacy innovation and growth

Conshohocken, Pa. (January 14, 2026) - Cencora, a global pharmaceutical solutions company, today published the Pharmacy Outlook 2026 report, which offers insights into the current state and evolving landscape of health system pharmacy.

Powered by Cencora's Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions, the report includes trend analysis, recommended practices and findings from a survey of over 100 health system pharmacy leaders on key areas impacting performance and strategic planning, including specialty pharmacy maturity and enablement, infusion services and cell and gene therapy, as well as financial optimization and supply chain.

"Health system pharmacies continue to evolve at a rapid rate to meet the growing demand for specialized care, demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation while navigating mounting pressures," said David Tinsley, Senior Vice President - Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions, Cencora. "Our report outlines strategies to address challenges, enhance patient access and drive sustainable growth, while reinforcing the role of ongoing innovation and collaboration in supporting health systems as they deliver exceptional care to their communities."

The findings reveal actionable strategies for health systems to navigate a complex landscape of internal and external pressures, overcome financial and operational barriers and deliver innovative care, including:

• Reduce barriers to integrated specialty care: While many organizations aim to deliver fully integrated specialty pharmacy care, payer network restrictions, patient affordability challenges and prescriber workflows result in 50% of specialty prescriptions being managed externally. By navigating these hurdles, health systems can increase the potential of integrated care through faster therapy initiation, seamless care coordination and improved treatment outcomes.
• Enable innovation and growth of emerging therapies: The global cell and gene therapy market is projected to reach $117.46 billion by 2034, yet health system respondents report an average of just two therapies supported per organization and only 4% feel fully prepared to integrate these therapies. By addressing challenges such as reimbursement complexity, operational readiness and gaps in expertise, health systems can help to ensure patients benefit from the potential of these groundbreaking therapies.
• Seize the home infusion opportunity: As site of care restrictions persist, health systems must address challenges to ensure patient access, maintain clinical oversight and improve care coordination. With the market expected to double by 2034, home infusion programs create a promising pathway to overcome these challenges; yet two-thirds of health system respondents currently do not have a program in place. Overcoming financial barriers, as well as technology integration challenges, site of care restrictions and staffing shortages, present opportunities to unlock significant clinical and financial benefits.
• Advocate for policies that support sustainable growth: Medicare and Medicaid changes are the most significant regulatory and reimbursement shifts impacting health systems, with 81% of respondents identifying them as having a significant or moderate impact. As health systems navigate an evolving regulatory landscape, advocacy at the local, state and federal levels has become more critical than ever to better support pharmacy growth and patient care affordability barriers, as well as workforce shortages.

"This year's Pharmacy Outlook reflects the many ways pharmacy is being called upon to help navigate the waves of constant change," said Beth Riggio, Vice President & General Manager - Practice Management Solutions at Cencora. "To effectively defend and protect against disruptions, health systems rely on pharmacy to serve as a connector, whether that's between siloed internal teams or the growing void between patients and payers. Our Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions team is proud to work shoulder to shoulder with health systems on these initiatives, enabling speed to value through deep subject matter expertise and pharmacy-first technology."

The full 2026 Pharmacy Outlook report can be found here.

About Cencora
Cencora is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and solutions. Our 51,000+ worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. Cencora is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 and #18 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $300 billion in annual revenue.