From white bagging to 340B, Vizient pharmacy experts, government relations experts and our industry pharmacy leaders continuously monitor payer policies and provide insights to support health systems and hospitals with delivery of high-quality care.

Vizient members can also access Pharmacy: Putting policy into action.

Health system insights on white bagging

Review our latest report: Survey on the patient care and economic costs of white bagging. This study provides Vizient member insights on the growing trend of white and brown bagging and the impact to health system pharmacies.

White Bagging 101

“White bagging” commonly occurs when insurance companies make coverage of needed patient-specific medications contingent on the medication being distributed from a third party specialty pharmacy versus allowing providers to buy and then bill for the medication and its administration.

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“The impact of white bagging is real and it’s personal. I always try to imagine how I would feel about white bagging if one of my family members had to experience treatment like this.”

Brian Cotter, MS, PRh
Senior Director, System Pharmacy Services
University of Maryland Medical System

Financial impact of white bagging

Pharmacy leaders in action

The Vizient Pharmacy Network Executive Committee and Advocacy subcommittee, representing pharmacy practice leaders from across the U.S., closely follow payer-mandated policies, the Unapproved Drug Initiative and other legislative trends that could significantly impact pharmacy practice at both the state and federal levels.

Committee members:

  • Christine Collins, MBA, RPh, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Lifespan
  • Brian Cotter, MS, RPh, Senior Directory, System Pharmacy Services, University of Maryland Medical System
  • Erin Fox, Senior Pharmacy Director, University of Utah Health
  • John Pastor, PharmD, FASHP, FMSHP, System Vice President, Pharmacy and Respiratory Care, M Health Fairview
  • Rita Shane, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCSHP, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Cedars Sinai
  • Deborah Simonson, PharmD, System VP, Pharmacy, Ochsner Health

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