VerifiedRx

By Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

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 c... more

4.6

99 ratings

FAQs about VerifiedRx:

How many episodes does VerifiedRx have?

The podcast currently has 136 episodes available.

VerifiedRx episodes:

August 25, 2026Oral Arguments: Enlicitide, the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for dyslipidemia
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death, while evolving guidelines and increasingly aggressive LDL cholesterol targets are changing how clinicians approach lipid management. Jodi Martinez, Pharmacist Clinical Specialist in Cardiology at the University of Colorado Hospital, part of UCHealth, joins Kerry Schwartz, Senior Clinical Manager for Evidence Based Medicine and Outcomes with the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence, to explore the emerging role of enlicitide in lipid management. They discuss the evidence behind its approval, its potential to expand patient access and where this first oral PCSK9 inhibitor may fit alongside existing therapies.

Guest Speaker:
Dr. Jodi Martinez, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCP, HF-CERT
Pharmacist Clinical Specialist in Cardiology
University of Colorado Hospital, UCHealth

Host:
Dr. Kerry Schwarz, Pharm.D., MPH
Senior Clinical Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine and Outcomes
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence 

Show Notes:
[01:26]
The limitations of current lipid management and why many high-risk patients still struggle to reach increasingly aggressive LDL cholesterol targets.
How cost, prior authorization requirements and step therapy can create barriers to accessing injectable PCSK9 therapies.
[03:27]
The evidence behind enlicitide and findings from the CORALreef clinical trial supporting its FDA approval.
How enlicitide performed across LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB and lipoprotein(a) endpoints, and why cardiovascular outcomes remain an important unanswered question.
[06:37]
An oral PCSK9 inhibitor could expand access by offering an alternative to specialty injectable therapies.
Why retail pharmacy availability, cost and greater prescribing flexibility could help more patients receive intensive lipid lowering therapy.
[08:11]
The potential barriers to enlicitide adoption, including delays in formulary review, insurance coverage and the administrative burden placed on clinicians.
The lack of published cardiovascular outcomes could influence payer coverage, formulary placement and early uptake.
[10:15]
Station remains the cornerstone of lipid management and where enlicitide may ultimately play a role
Clinicians may consider the amount of LDL reduction a patient needs when choosing among available therapies.

Links and Resources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41824590/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36031461/

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13min
August 11, 2026More than a building: the business case for consolidated pharmacy services centers
One of the most difficult—and least discussed—aspects of building a Consolidated Service Center (CSC) is securing executive support and capital investment. Success depends on connecting strategy, financial value and patient outcomes to an organization's broader goals. Ganesh Chandran is joined by Dr. Akeem Bale, Vice President, Pharmacy Services at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and Dr. Laura Mark, Vice President of Pharmacy at Allegheny Health Network, to discuss the strategic, financial, and organizational steps that transformed a promising idea into an approved capital investment.
Guest Speakers:
Akeem O. Bale, PharmD, MS, MBA, BCPS, BCSCP
Vice President, Pharmacy Services
Program Director, PGY1/2 HSPAL Residency Program
UTMB Health, Department of Pharmacy Services
Laura Mark, MS, MHM, PharmD
Vice President of Pharmacy
Allegheny Health Network

Host:  
Ganesh Chandran, PharmD, MBA
Pharmacy Executive
Vizient Pharmacy Enterprise Support

Show notes:
[01:12]
How each organization recognized that traditional pharmacy operations could no longer support future growth, expanding ambulatory care, and increasing operational complexity.
Why long-term strategic planning, workforce challenges, and enterprise wide support became the driving forces behind pursuing a consolidated service center.
[04:39]
How successful business cases focus on organizational priorities such as patient access, financial performance, quality outcomes, and total cost of care instead of technology alone.
Why demonstrating measurable value through pilots, standardization, and return on investment helps gain executive support for large scale transformation.
[08:30]
The importance of tailoring proposals to different executive stakeholders while building champions who can advocate for the vision.
How early operational improvements and phased implementation can demonstrate value before construction or major capital investments begin.
[10:24]
Why breaking a consolidated service center strategy into manageable phases creates confidence among executive leaders and improves long term success.
How responding to executive questions with refined financial models and scenario planning strengthens both the proposal and organizational trust.
[13:12]
How creating an enterprise wide pharmacy culture through standardization, trust, and shared leadership prepares teams for organizational change.
Why establishing a one team philosophy before opening a new facility creates stronger collaboration and more sustainable operational success.
[16:56]
Practical advice for pharmacy leaders beginning their own consolidated service center journey, including learning from peer organizations and celebrating incremental progress.
Why a consolidated service center should be viewed as an enabler of a broader pharmacy strategy that supports long term growth, scalability, and patient care rather than simply a new building.

Links and Resources: Pharmacy Enterprise Support

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21min
July 28, 2026Insights from the Summer 2026 Spend Management Outlook
Updated inflation projections are only part of the story when it comes to pharmacy planning. Host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Jeni Hayes and Dr. Amanda Frick, to discuss Vizient’s Summer 2026 Spend Management Outlook and why utilization trends, reimbursement, ambulatory care, and the expanding pipeline of advanced therapies are becoming just as important as inflation when preparing health systems for 2027 and beyond.

Guest speakers:
Jeni Hayes, PharmD, MS Pharm, BCPS
Senior Clinical Manager, Market Insights & Forecasting
Vizient Clinical Spend Management

Amanda Frick, PharmD, BCPS
Senior Clinical Manager, Market Insights and Forecasting
Vizient Clinical Spend Management

Host:  
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm
Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  

Show notes:
01:03
Why this year's Spend Management Outlook expands beyond inflation to include utilization, reimbursement, product mix, and operational readiness.
How pharmacy leaders can use these broader market signals to make stronger strategic and financial decisions.
01:54
The updated 2027 pharmaceutical inflation projection and why it increased from the previous forecast.
Why organizations should pair national benchmarks with their own purchasing data to improve budgeting accuracy.
03:28
Three major trends transforming pharmacy planning, including ambulatory growth, utilization, and enterprise collaboration.
Why these consistent themes are changing how health systems approach long term pharmacy strategy.
04:25
How new utilization analyses provide earlier insight into future pharmacy demand than inflation data alone.
Examples of shifting trends in oncology therapies and GLP 1 medications that are influencing operational planning.
05:34
Why GLP 1 growth is creating opportunities that extend well beyond pharmacy budgeting.
How retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, pharmacist led clinics, and medication management can strengthen patient care and organizational performance.
07:10
Why pharmacy has evolved into an enterprise wide capability that impacts access, reimbursement, and financial performance.
How stronger collaboration across pharmacy, finance, revenue cycle, and clinical teams supports future readiness.
08:03
Emerging pipeline trends, including continued oncology growth and the rise of advanced therapies.
Why cell therapies, gene therapies, and RNA based medicines require organizations to prepare differently than traditional medications.
08:53
How health systems are preparing months before therapy approval by building operational and clinical infrastructure.
Why advanced therapies demand coordination across pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, finance, and physician teams.
10:33
The expansion of advanced therapies into autoimmune, neurologic, cardiac, and rare disease treatment.
Why organizations must balance planning for both high cost therapies and therapies with growing patient demand.
11:44
How pipeline monitoring has evolved into a strategic planning tool rather than simply tracking approvals.
Why early preparation helps organizations identify operational gaps before new therapies reach the market.
12:36
Key takeaways on preparing for the future of pharmacy through utilization data, operational planning, and enterprise collaboration.
Resources available through the Spend Management Outlook Insights Hub to support local budgeting and long term strategy.

Links and Resources:
Vizient Spend Management Outlook Insight Hub

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15min
July 14, 2026More than a brand: Strategic botulinum toxin decisions
Botulinum toxin products are used across a wide range of therapeutic indications, yet many health systems have not evaluated whether product selection aligns with both clinical evidence and financial stewardship. Matt Groth, Director of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management at the University of Rochester Medical Center, joins Kerry Schwarz to discuss how his team implemented a botulinum toxin stewardship strategy by evaluating evidence, engaging clinicians, and standardizing product selection.

Guest Speaker:
Matthew D. Groth, PharmD, MS
Director of Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management
University of Rochester Medical Center

Host:
Dr. Kerry Schwarz, Pharm.D., MPH
Senior Clinical Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine and Outcomes
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence 

Show Notes:
00:05 Introduction
Learn why botulinum toxin stewardship is an emerging opportunity for health systems.
Hear how clinical evidence and financial strategy can work together to optimize product selection.
01:25 Reviewing the evidence
Explore the evidence supporting available botulinum toxin products, including indications, safety, and dosing considerations.
Understand why limited clinical differences between products create opportunities for formulary evaluation.
02:31 Identifying stewardship opportunities
Learn how organizations evaluate acquisition costs, reimbursement, payer policies, and contracting opportunities.
Discover how financial analysis helps identify opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining quality patient care.
04:29 Implementing a preferred product strategy
Hear how provider engagement, financial transparency, and P&T committee support helped drive adoption.
Learn how a phased implementation approach increased market share while improving financial performance.
08:11 Lessons learned from implementation
Explore the operational considerations that support successful implementation, from inventory management to prior authorizations.
Learning why collaboration with physicians, nurses, office staff, and billing teams is essential to long term success.
10:57 Key takeaways
Review the core elements of a successful botulinum toxin stewardship strategy.
Learn how multidisciplinary collaboration can improve value while maintaining high quality patient care.

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13min
June 30, 2026From clinician to executive: Developing pharmacy’s next leaders
As health systems grow more complex and executive expectations continue to expand, organizations must develop the next generation of pharmacy leaders. Host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Bonnie Levin and Dr. Cedric Terrell to discuss the growing pharmacy leadership pipeline challenge, the skills today's leaders need to succeed, and practical ways to identify and develop the next generation of pharmacy executives.

Guests:
Bonnie Levin, PharmD, MBA, FASHP
VP, Pharmacy Services
Medstar Health

Cedric Terrell, PharmD, MHA
SVP & Chief Pharmacy Officer
Pharmacy Enterprise Services
CommonSpirit Health

Host: 
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm
Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

Show Notes:
00:54 - The Pharmacy Leadership Pipeline
Why healthsystems are facing a shortage of pharmacy leaders.
The impact of retirements, workforce changes, and succession planning challenges.
How evolving expectations are reshaping leadership roles as pharmacy creates "a table that others want to sit at."
02:21 - The Modern Pharmacy Executive
How pharmacy leadership has changed over the last several years.
Why leaders now oversee larger, more complex healthcare enterprises.
Why today's leaders must think like pharmacy business executives, not just department directors.
03:31 - Skills Every Future Leader Needs
The growing importance of financial stewardship and business acumen.
Why strategic thinking is just as valuable as clinical expertise.
How pharmacy leaders create value through operations, finance, and innovation.
04:46 - Identifying Emerging Leaders
What makes an informal leader stand out, from raising their hand to offering solutions instead of problems.
Why leadership is a behavior, not a position.
The importance of mentoring future leaders and exposing them to experiences beyond their own department.
06:06 - Preparing the Next Generation
Where pharmacy education and leadership development are falling short.
Why financial literacy, budgeting, and operational knowledge are essential leadership skills.
How early exposure to business decisions helps future leaders build confidence.
07:31 - Residency and Real World Experience
The value residency programs provide in developing clinical expertise.
Why practical business experience is equally important for future executives.
How mentorship and cross functional learning prepare pharmacists for broader leadership roles.
09:16 - Moving Into Executive Leadership
How clinically trained pharmacists can expand into enterprise leadership.
Bonnie shares why saying yes to leading behavioral health became one of the most valuable experiences of her career.
Why leaders should seek opportunities that stretch their skills beyond pharmacy.
11:03 - Career Growth Through Opportunity
Why saying yes to unfamiliar challenges accelerates leadership development.
Expanding experience into areas like ambulatory care, payer strategy, imaging, and laboratory services.
Cedric explains why creating opportunities is more valuable than waiting for them to appear.
12:07 - Leadership Advice
Bonnie shares the quote that shaped her leadership philosophy.
Cedric reflects on advice from his mentor to prepare today for the role you want three to five years from now.
Why successful leaders stay curious and become comfortable making decisions with uncertainty.
13:58 - Looking Ahead
Why today's pharmacy leaders are optimistic about the future.
The value of innovation, persistence, collaboration, and strong professional relationships.
Final reflections on building the next generation of pharmacy executives through mentorship, curiosity, and continuous learning.

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16min
June 16, 2026Peeling back the layers of learning in residency programs
What happens when learners teach learners? Layered learning is a teaching model that brings pharmacy students, residents, and preceptors together in a collaborative learning environment. Our host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Sarah Eggers Russell, PharmD, BCACP, CPP of UNC Health REX and Dr. Kimberly James, PharmD of UF Health to discuss how layered learning works in pharmacy residency programs and why it continues to gain traction across healthcare settings. They share perspectives from their own programs and discuss what it takes to create meaningful learning experiences for learners at every stage of training.

Guest Speakers:
Dr. Sarah Eggers Russell, PharmD, BCACP, CPP
UNC Health REX

Dr. Kimberly James, PharmD
UF Health

Host: 
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm
Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

Show Notes:
00:05 - What Is Layered Learning?
Definition of layered learning and its role in pharmacy education
How teaching, mentorship, and patient care occur simultaneously
Benefits for learners, preceptors, and patients
01:08 - Residency Program Overviews
UNC Health Rex ambulatory care residency program
UF Health pediatric pharmacy residency program
Opportunities for students, residents, and advanced learners across diverse practice settings
02:22 - How Layered Learning Works in Practice
Senior learners mentoring junior learners under pharmacist supervision
Developing teaching skills and professional behaviors
Expanding direct patient care opportunities while supporting preceptor workloads
03:33 - Defining Roles and Responsibilities
Setting expectations before the rotation begins
Assessing learner readiness for teaching responsibilities
Creating structured orientation processes for all learners
Providing feedback and evaluation opportunities for resident preceptors
05:55 - Adapting to Different Learning Styles
Tailoring rotations to individual learner needs
Gradually increasing clinical responsibilities
Using regular feedback sessions and midpoint evaluations
Building confidence through progressive independence
08:20 - Building Successful Layered Learning Experiences
Differences between primary and co precepting models
Leveraging learners to expand patient access and clinical services
Using shared precepting across diverse practice environments
Creating opportunities for leadership and teaching development
10:42 - Keeping Learners Engaged in Ambulatory Care
Managing clinic schedules and patient encounters
Evidence based patient case presentations
Topic discussions, drug information requests, and interdisciplinary shadowing opportunities
Exposure to diagnostic testing and specialty practice areas
12:13 - Structuring Layered Learning in the Inpatient Setting
Working across multiple specialty consult services
Presenting to interdisciplinary healthcare teams
Shadowing opportunities with nursing and other disciplines
Using projects to improve patient care and learner engagement
13:39 - Advice for First Time Preceptors
Maintaining flexibility and adaptability
Meeting learners where they are in their development
Keeping communication open through regular check ins
Encouraging learners to embrace new challenges and teaching opportunities
14:51 - The Lasting Impact of Layered Learning
Benefits for junior learners, advanced learners, and preceptors
Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration
Increasing awareness of pharmacy residency programs
Bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas into clinical practice
16:34 - Resources and What's Next
ASHP Guide for Best Practices of Layered Learning
Upcoming Vizient Layered Learning Toolkit currently in development

Links and Resources:
Residency Guide Best Practices for Resident Engagement in LLM

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18min
May 26, 2026Healthcare without walls: The growth of consumer - driven care
Direct-to-consumer healthcare is changing how patients engage with care, driven by growing demand for convenience, accessibility, and personalized experiences. VerifiedRx host Stacy Lauderdale is joined by Emily Fitt, Hailey Mulliner, and Heather Pace to discuss the continued rise of telehealth and direct-to-consumer healthcare platforms, the areas experiencing the most growth, and what these evolving models may mean for patients, providers, and health systems in the future.

Guest Speakers:
Emily Fitt, MHA, MPH
Senior Associate, Sg2 Intelligence
Vizient, Inc.

Hailey Mulliner, MS-HSM
Senior Director, Sg2 Intelligence
Vizient, Inc.

Heather Pace, Pharm.D.
Senior Clinical Manager, Ambulatory
Vizient, Inc.

Host:
Stacy Lauderdale, Pharm.D., BCPS
AVP, Evidence-Based Medicine
Vizient

Show Notes:
(00:52) The panel discusses where direct-to-consumer healthcare has gained the most traction, including:
Men’s reproductive health
Women’s contraceptives
Dermatology and acne care
Behavioral health
GLP-1 and obesity management
(01:59) Heather explains how GLP-1 medication shortages fueled growth in compounded obesity medications and expanded telehealth services.
(02:47) Hailey shares insights from SG2 consumer surveys, emphasizing how patients increasingly want customizable, convenient healthcare experiences like other consumer industries.
(03:26) The group explores future expansion areas for direct-to-consumer healthcare, including:
Cardiovascular disease management
Type 2 diabetes
Orthopedic care
Cardiometabolic disease monitoring
(04:31) Discussion shifts to the benefits and drawbacks for patients, including:
Increased convenience and access
More comfortable treatment environments
Greater patient empowerment
Risks of fragmented care and disconnected treatment plans
(06:07) Emily outlines concerns for health systems, including:
Increased emergency department utilization
Lack of coordinated care
Medication management gaps
Challenges identifying medications prescribed outside the health system
(07:03) Heather discusses medication stewardship concerns, particularly as weight loss impacts management of other chronic conditions like hypertension.
(07:29) The panel highlights operational challenges for hospitals and procedural teams when patients fail to disclose GLP-1 medications prior to surgeries or colonoscopies.
(07:58) The conversation turns to how direct-to-consumer healthcare is permanently changing consumer expectations around convenience and accessibility.
(08:36) The panel debates whether health systems should compete with direct-to-consumer companies or pursue partnership strategies.
(09:51) Emily discusses how health systems can differentiate themselves by offering the full continuum of care that virtual only providers cannot.
(10:20) Heather Pace emphasizes the importance of partnerships between health systems and direct-to-consumer platforms to improve access while maintaining coordinated care.
(10:55) The group discusses emerging partnerships in the marketplace, including collaborations between pharmaceutical manufacturers and direct-to-consumer platforms.
(12:14)Workforce challenges are explored, including:
Competition for clinicians
Provider burnout
Flexibility offered by virtual care employers
(13:17) The panel examines future trends involving AI, including patients using AI to interpret labs and emerging AI-assisted prescribing models in behavioral health.
(14:24) Closing thoughts on how direct-to-consumer healthcare is reshaping patient expectations and forcing health systems to rethink care delivery models.

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16min
May 12, 2026Beyond revenue: Measuring specialty pharmacy team value
Defining and documenting pharmacist interventions beyond prescription revenue is essential to demonstrating the full value of pharmacy teams. Host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Karen Thomas from the University of Illinois Chicago and Dr. Thom Platt from UK Healthcare to share insights from a multi-system survey exploring how interventions are captured and used. They discuss the variability in current practices, the important role of both pharmacists and technicians, and the opportunity to better quantify clinical and operational impact to C-suite.

Guests:
Karen C. Thomas, PharmD, PhD, MBA
Associate Director, Specialty and Infusion Pharmacies
University of Illinois Hospital and Health System

Thom Platt, PharmD, PhD, MBA ,BCPS
Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services
UK HealthCare

Host: 
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm
Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

Show Notes:
00:05 – Introduction
Overview of VerifiedRx and the focus on pharmacy practice excellence.
00:14 – Episode Overview & Guest Introductions
Host Carolyn Liptak introduces the topic: capturing the value of pharmacist interventions beyond prescription revenue.
Guests:
Dr. Karen Thomas, University of Illinois Chicago
Dr. Thom Platt, UK Healthcare
00:57 – Health System Backgrounds
UIC serves a diverse urban population with a strong Medicaid and Medicare presence
UK Healthcare supports patients across Kentucky and surrounding states, including rural populations traveling long distances for specialty care
01:48 – What Sparked the Research
Originated from a Vizient work group focused on outcomes and value
Need for clearer frameworks to document and report pharmacist interventions
Lack of standardized guidance from accrediting bodies and payers
02:56 – Survey Goals and Key Findings
Explored how health systems define and document interventions
Identified major variability in data collection and reporting
Found alignment in defining clinical interventions, less consistency in non clinical ones
Included responses from 24 health systems
04:21 – Broader Impact on Pharmacy Practice
Reinforces the value of pharmacist contributions beyond revenue
Highlights prevention of hospital visits and improved patient outcomes
Emphasizes the need to better capture and communicate this value
05:38 – Applying the Research in Practice
UIC developed a structured framework and documentation tool
Supports initiatives like waste avoidance studies
Aims to quantify cost savings from pharmacist interventions
06:49 – Relevance Beyond Specialty Pharmacy
Concepts apply across all pharmacy settings
Data can support staffing, funding, and program expansion decisions
Helps communicate value to internal and external stakeholders
07:52 – Role of Pharmacy Technicians
96 percent of sites report technician involvement in non clinical interventions
Examples include resolving medication access issues and addressing social barriers
Technicians play a critical role in patient support and care coordination
09:58 – Future Opportunities
Push toward standardizing intervention data collection
Opportunity to reduce duplication of effort across health systems
Goal to create scalable, shared frameworks
10:41 – Strategic Value of Intervention Data
Supports conversations with leadership and external partners
Demonstrates impact on outcomes like reduced ED visits and length of stay
Strengthens partnerships with payers and manufacturers
11:34 – Additional Resources
Study published in the Online Journal of Pharmacy
Link available for listeners to explore further
12:03 – Closing Remarks
Final thoughts and appreciation for guests
Call to action: subscribe, share feedback, and stay engaged with VerifiedRx

Links and Resources: MDPI - Capturing Value: How Health-System Specialty Pharmacies Define and Document Pharmacist Interventions

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13min
April 28, 2026Alpha-gal syndrome and impact on patient safety
Alpha-gal syndrome is an emerging and often underrecognized allergy triggered by a tick bite that can cause delayed reactions to red meat and mammalian-derived products. In this episode, host Stacy Lauderdale is joined by clinical experts Zack Stacy and Kyna Henrici to unpack the science behind alpha-gal, its implications in healthcare settings, and the operational challenges providers face in managing this complex condition.

Guest Speakers:
Zachary Stacy, Pharm.D., MS, FCCP, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Surgery
BJC Health

Kyna Henrici, RN
Medical Evidence Director - Cardiovascular
Vizient, Inc.

Host:
Stacy Lauderdale, Pharm.D., BCPS
AVP, Evidence-Based Medicine
Vizient, Inc.

00:05 – Introduction
Podcast introduction and welcome to VerifiedRx
00:14 – What is alpha-gal syndrome
Overview of alpha-gal syndrome
Delayed allergic reactions after eating red meat
Often linked to tick bites
00:48 – Meet the Guests
Zack Stacy, clinical pharmacy specialist
Kyna Henrici, medical evidence director
01:10 – Understanding the Allergy
Alpha-gal is a carbohydrate in nonprimate mammals that can trigger an allergy in humans
Key difference is delayed reaction timing
Symptoms are not always easy to trace
01:32 – How It Develops
Triggered by tick bites
Immune system produces IgE antibodies
Oral exposure to alpha-gal leads to delayed reactions
IV exposure to alpha-gal can cause immediate reactions
02:17 – Prevalence and Diagnosis Challenges
More common in Midwest and southern United States
Likely underdiagnosed
Often mistaken for general food allergies
Allergy may fade over time
03:07 – Risks in Healthcare Settings
Patient safety concerns beyond food
Mammalian components in medications and devices
Examples include heparin and surgical materials
03:44 – Hidden Medication Risks
Inactive ingredients can be animal derived
Examples include glycerin, lactose, amino acids, stearates
Difficult to identify and track
04:42 – Lack of Transparency
No centralized ingredient database
Sourcing can change frequently
Variability across manufacturers and batches
05:33 – Screening in Surgical Settings
Medication review at NDC level
Identification of active and inactive ingredients
May require contacting manufacturers
06:45 – Timing Challenges
Urgent procedures limit investigation time
Manufacturer responses may take days
Alternative medications often needed
07:14 – Identifying At Risk Patients
Many patients are unaware they have alpha-gal syndrome
Screening includes questions about dairy tolerance
Three patient categories used for evaluation
08:32 – Using Dairy as a Screening Tool
Dairy tolerance helps guide risk level
Food exposure typically higher than medication exposure
Determines need for deeper review
09:12 – Managing Emergencies
Focus shifts from avoidance to risk mitigation
Use of team communication and clear documentation
Preparation for unavoidable exposure
10:03 – Prevention and Preparedness
Stock alpha-gal safe medications when possible
Prepare for allergic reactions with standard treatments
10:47 – Team Based Care Approach
Collaboration across care teams is essential
Premedication strategies may be used
Close monitoring for reactions
11:11 – Gaps in Care
Limited visibility into product ingredients
Need for better labeling and transparency
11:33 – Need for Standardization
Call for clearer guidance and clinician education
Desire for centralized resource for medication ingredients
12:24 – Monitoring Challenges
CDC tracking decreased after privatization of testing
Cases likely still increasing
12:53 – Closing Remarks

Links and Resources: Alpha-gal Syndrome | Alpha-gal Syndrome | CDC

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14min
April 14, 2026Efficiency to excellence: AI’s role in modern pharmacy practice
AI is rapidly reshaping pharmacy practice, raising both concern and opportunity for healthcare teams. Vizient host Kerry Schwarz is joined by Dr. Jason Chou, Vice President of the System Pharmacy Service Line, and Dr. Catherine Oliver, System AVP of Clinical Pharmacy Services at Ochsner Health, to explore how AI is improving efficiency while redefining how pharmacy teams spend their time. They discuss where technology is already making an impact and where its limits still require human expertise.

Guest Speakers:
Dr. Jason Chou, Pharm.D., MS
Vice President, System Pharmacy Service Line
Ochsner Health

Dr. Catherine Oliver, Pharm.D., BCPS, DPLA, CPGx
System AVP, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Ochsner Health

Host
Dr. Kerry Schwarz, Pharm.D., MPH
Senior Clinical Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine and Outcomes
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence 

Shownotes:
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: the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and pharmacy.
Key themes:
Addressing fears of job replacement
Identifying real-world use cases
Understanding limitations of AI
Practical strategies for adoption
Guests:
Dr. Jason Chou, VP, System Pharmacy Service Line, Ochsner Health
Dr. Catherine Oliver, System AVP, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Ochsner Health
01:04 — Will AI Replace Healthcare Jobs?
Concern exists, but largely driven by misunderstanding
AI is expected to:
Augment, not replace, pharmacy roles
Improve efficiency in daily workflows
AI is not capable of:
Independent clinical judgment
Meaningful patient interactions
Human elements—trust, empathy, and nuance—remain essential.
02:20 — Where AI Can Add Value Today
Focus should shift from fear to practical use cases
Ideal applications:
Reducing non-value-added tasks
Improving efficiency
Supporting clinical decision-making preparation (not replacing it)
02:39 — Early Use Cases: Operational Efficiency
AI can reduce administrative burden such as:
Prior authorizations
Insurance-related communications
Data gathering and documentation
Opportunity to eliminate “busy work” and improve staff satisfaction
03:31 — Clinical Workflow Support
AI can:
Summarize patient charts, labs, and notes
Organize large volumes of clinical data
Enables pharmacists to:
Spend less time preparing
Spend more time in patient care and provider interaction
04:08 — Additional Opportunities: Supply Chain & Operations
AI can support:
Inventory management
Purchasing optimization
Multi-site coordination
Benefits include:
Cost savings
Improved efficiency
Better resource utilization
05:00 — Where to Draw the Line
AI should not replace clinical decision-making
Limitations include:
Lack of experience and judgment
Inability to incorporate patient values and preferences
Final decisions must remain with clinicians.
05:42 — Preserving the Human Element
Patient care involves:
Trust
Empathy
Relationship-building
Over-reliance on AI risks eroding patient confidence.
06:11 — Patient Interaction & Transparency
Patients want to know:
When AI is used
How it impacts their care
Transparency and communication are critical
06:48 — AI in Direct Patient Care: Ambient Listening
AI tools can:
Capture conversations during patient visits
Reduce documentation burden
Important considerations:
Patient consent
Ability to opt out
Privacy concerns
07:31 — Risks of Poor Implementation
Poorly designed AI interactions can:
Frustrate patients
Reduce trust
Healthcare AI must avoid:
Impersonal experiences
Inefficient automation
08:21 — AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Comparable to tools like:
Search engines (e.g., Google)
Enhances efficiency without replacing professional roles.
09:12 — Early Success Stories
Prior Authorization Optimization
AI improves:
Data extraction
Documentation speed
Approval timelines
Benefits:
Faster patient access to therapy
Improved staff satisfaction
10:07 — Clinical Decision Support Enhancements
AI-driven rule systems:
Identify high-risk patients
Reduce unnecessary chart reviews
Example outcome:
Reduction in time spent reviewing charts without intervention
Frees pharmacists for:
Medication reconciliation
Patient counseling
11:11 — Impact on Workforce Engagement
Staff report:
Increased satisfaction
More time for meaningful work
AI seen as an enabler rather than a threat
12:03 — Vendor Landscape & Challenges
Rapid growth of AI vendors addressing niche problems
Key risks:
Data security concerns
Vendor quality variability
Overlapping or redundant solutions
12:51 — Integration & Workflow Considerations
Successful AI tools must:
Integrate with EHRs
Align with pharmacy workflows
Avoid siloed systems
Poor integration leads to inefficiency and adoption barriers
14:04 — Vendor Evaluation Considerations
Assess:
Clinical and operational expertise
Product maturity
Implementation effort
Risk vs benefit
Balance between:
Ready-made solutions
Custom-built tools requiring internal resources
14:56 — Practical Advice for Health System Leaders
Develop a system-wide AI strategy
Collaborate across departments (not siloed decisions)
Engage:
IT
Legal
Ethics teams
Avoid duplicative solutions across service lines
15:31 — Building Organizational Readiness
Be open to learning and experimentation
Ask questions and maintain healthy skepticism
Focus on:
Improving workflows
Enhancing patient outcomes
Supporting workforce engagement
16:02 — Infrastructure & Speed of Innovation
AI vendors move quickly
Organizations must:
Be prepared to adapt rapidly
Avoid delays that hinder innovation
Balance speed with governance and safety
16:27 — Closing
Kerry thanks the guests for their insights
Encourages continued exploration of AI’s evolving role in healthcare
Reminder to subscribe and engage with VerifiedRx.

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How many episodes does VerifiedRx have?

More shows like VerifiedRx

Freakonomics Radio

The Daily

340B Insight

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