VerifiedRx

From CAR-T therapies to viral vectors, cell and gene treatments are redefining the boundaries of pharmacy practice—but with innovation comes complexity. Host Carolyn Liptak welcomes Dr. Mark Wiencek, Principal Microbiologist with the Technical Services Group at Contec, and Dr. Amanda Frick, Senior Clinical Manager of Market Intelligence at Vizient, to break down the challenges of compounding these advanced therapies.
 
Listen in as they discuss real-world risk assessments, biosafety considerations, and how hospital pharmacies can safely manage these groundbreaking yet high-risk treatments.
 
Guest speakers: 
Mark Wiencek, PhDPrincipal Microbiologist, Technical Services Group
Contec
Amanda Frick, PharmD, BCPSSenior Clinical Manager, Market IntelligenceVizient
 
Host: 
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, RPh 
Pharmacy Executive Director 
Vizient
 
Show Notes: 
[01:02-01:51] Mark shares his background and experience in microbiology
[01:52-04:04] Overview of the types of cell and gene therapies (CGT) currently used in clinical practice
[04:05-05:14] Which CGT therapies are most applicable to pharmacy compounding and why
[05:15-10:29] Things not on the NIOSH list and the risks
[10:30-12:03] Evaluating whether viral vectors can penetrate intact skin and the true occupational exposure risks
[12:04-13:18] If hazards are not defined by the NIOSH list, how should these CGT hazards be classified
[13:19-15:03] Determining the safest environment for compounding CGT therapies
[15:04-20:14] Best practices for decontamination, disinfection, and viral vector handling
[20:15-20:59] Do you need a dedicated biosafety cabinet for CGT therapies
[21:00-22:55] Recommended resources for further learning
 
Links | Resources: 
 Blind and colleagues (Nationwide): Click here
Wang and colleagues (Stanford): Click here
CONTEC HEALTHCARE WEBINAR Using Bugs as Drugs: Compounding Viral Vectors in Cell & Gene Therapy for Hospital Pharmacies, Mark Wiencek, May 13, 2025: Click here
Blind, J.E., Ghosh, S., Niese, T.D., Gardner, J.C., Stack-Simone, S., Dean, A. and Washam, M., 2024. A comprehensive literature scoping review of infection prevention and control methods for viral-mediated gene therapies. Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, 4(1), p.e15. Click here
Deramoudt, L., Pinturaud, M., Bouquet, P., Goffard, A., Simon, N. and Odou, P., 2024. Method for the detection and quantification of viral contamination during the preparation of gene therapy drugs in a hospital pharmacy. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 81(12), pp.615-621. Click here
Korte, J., Mienert, J., Hennigs, J.K. and Körbelin, J., 2021. Inactivation of adeno-associated viral vectors by oxidant-based disinfectants. Human Gene Therapy, 32(13-14), pp.771-781. Click here (abstract only; full article available for purchase)
Martino, J.G., McConnell, K., Greathouse, L., Rosario, B.D. and Jaskowiak, J.M., 2024. Cellular therapy site-preparedness: Inpatient pharmacy implementation at a large academic medical center. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, 30(8), pp.1442-1449. Click here
Penzien, C., 2023. Safe handling of BioSafety drugs and live virus vaccines. Pharm Purch Prod, 20(4), p.12. Click here
Petrich, J., Marchese, D., Jenkins, C., Storey, M. and Blind, J., 2020. Gene replacement therapy: a primer for the health-system pharmacist. Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 33(6), pp.846-855. Click here
Wang, A., Ngo, Z., Yu, S.J. and MacDonald, E.A., 2025. Implementing standard practices in the safe handling of gene therapy and biohazardous drugs in a health-system setting. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, p.zxaf026. Click here
 
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New data from the summer Vizient Spend Management Outlook show that in the inpatient space, high-cost drugs, especially CAR-T treatments like Yescarta and Breyanzi are major drivers of drug spend. To help offset these costs, certain therapies may qualify for additional reimbursement through the New Technology Add-On payment (NTAP), a program that supports innovations that substantially improve care for Medicare beneficiaries. Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director at the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence joins host Stacy Lauderdale, Associate Vice President of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information at Vizient to cover the purpose of this add-on payment, the criteria necessary for drugs to qualify and strategies to capture its full value.
 
Guest Speaker:
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, RPh Pharmacy Executive Director Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence
 
Host:Stacy Lauderdale, PharmD, BCP  Associate Vice President Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  
 
Show Notes: 
[01:02-03:38] Overview of NTAP and why CMS created the program
[03:39-05:02] How DRG recalibration depends on broad adoption
[05:03-07:17] Criteria for medications to quality for NTAP status
[07:18-08:24] Who determines whether a therapy represents substantial clinical improvement
[08:25-10:05] The value NTAP provides to hospitals
[10:06-11:51] How to locate products that are eligible for NTAP
[11:52-16:22] Best practices to ensure that NTAP payment is captured when the drug is used
[16:23-17:22] Resources for additional information
 
Links | Resources: 
Payment Updates: Preparing for 2026 - On Demand
New Medical Services and New Technologies 
FY 2026 IPPS Final Rule Home Page 
MAC Implementation File 8 (ZIP) – FY 2026 New Technology Add-on Payment 
CMS Web Pricer 
 
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As the Drug Supply Chain Security Act dispenser exemption period winds down, the Vizient Standards implementation team announced an important change to the Vizient Global Location Number (GLN) Management program. The data standards team will inactivate unmanaged GLNs, which will impact pharmacies and other providers who are not currently managing their Vizient assigned GLNs. Two experts leading that conversation, Carl Henshaw, Senior Director, Data Operations, Enterprise Information and Data Management, and Dawn Burtram, Lead Analyst, Standards Implementation at Vizient join host Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director in the Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence at Vizient to discuss implications.
 
Guest speakers: 
Dawn Bertram, MBA
Lead Analyst Standards Implementation
Vizient 
 
Carl Henshaw
Senior Director, Data Operations, Enterprise Information and Data Management
Vizient
 
Host: 
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm 
 
Show Notes: 
[01:08-01:59]  Dawn and Carl’s background
[02:00-02:41] What exactly is a GLN and what does it mean to be self-managed
[02:42-07:26]  Who creates and maintains GLNs in this data hub and the three different GLN products
[07:27-08:51] How to determine who actually enumerated the GLNs
[08:52-10:20] Educating and preparing providers for the DSCSA  compliance deadline
[10:21-12:37] The recent decision to inactivate unmanaged GNS and why it's essential to maintaining the accuracy and reliability of GLN data
[12:38-15:05] What it means to participate in our program and who's eligible to participate
[15:06-17:51] Why the deadline of November 15th matters
 
Links | Resources:
Vizient GLN Learning Center
GLN Management Process Education Session (E-Learning)
VGMP Application
GS1 What is a GLN and How Do I Get One? 
Drug Supply Chain Security Act
 
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The Joint Commission’s updated accreditation manual is designed to simplify requirements, enhance clarity, and better support healthcare organizations in survey preparation. In this episode of VerifiedRx, host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Robert Campbell of the Joint Commission and Diana Scott of Vizient to unpack the most significant changes. From the shift to National Performance Goals and medication safety priorities to the latest challenges in compounding, labeling, and hazardous drug handling, the conversation highlights practical insights to help pharmacy leaders stay compliant and survey-ready.
 
Guest speakers:
Robert Campbell, PharmD, BCSCP
Sr. Director, Standards Interpretation, Accreditation Decision Management,Medication Safety Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations
Joint Commission
 
Diana Scott, MHA, RN, CPHQ
Principal, Regulatory and Accreditation Services
Vizient
 
Host: 
Carolyn Liptak, , BS Pharm, MBA  
Vizient
 
Show Notes: 
[01:16-01:51] Diana and Robert Backgrounds
[01:52-02:43] Changes made to the hospital and critical access hospital manuals
[02:44-03:09] Changes to the chapters themselves
[03:10-04:08] National Performance Goals and elaborate on those that are relevant to medication safety and pharmacy services
[04:09-05:15] The top medication management challenges
[05:16-06:29] Pain management not being aligned and titration orders
[06:30-06:56] Insufficient communication between pharmacists, prescribers and nurses when it comes to medication orders
[06:57-08:02] Themes around labeling requirements for stored medications
[08:03-08:46] Anything different in removing expired meds from patient care areas and in the pharmacy this area than previous years
[08:47-10:58] Issues related to storing meds specifically per the package insert
[10:59-11:55] Common issues seen inside the pharmacy regarding sterile compounding, noncompliance include hand hygiene, garbing, PPE, and cleaning and disinfecting
[11:56-13:12] More specifics in those area the physical environment and facility cleanliness along with cleaning and disinfection practices
[13:13-14:55] Explaination of how joint Commission defines and evaluates immediate use compounding
[14:56-16:09] The minimum required elements for immediate use compounding competency
[16:10-17:12] Compounding competencies besides immediate use
[17:13-17:54] Expectations for environmental services training
[17:55- 20:14] Concerns around hazardous drugs
[20:15- 21:14] Additional information
 
Links | Resources:
Joint Commission: THE NEW STANDARD: Accreditation 360
For Members: On-Demand webinar and CE information
 
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Drug diversion threatens patient and staff safety—and preventing it requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. In this episode, Dr. Ruth Igwegbe and Shealee Mitchell of JPS Health Network join host Carolyn Liptak to share how their organization transformed a fragmented diversion process into a high-functioning, collaborative program. From building trust with frontline teams to using AI software and proactive data monitoring, Ruth and Shealee highlight how culture, consistency, and communication are essential to effective diversion prevention. Tune in for actionable strategies that elevate both patient safety and professional accountability.
 
Guest speakers: 
Dr. Ruth Igwegbe PharmD, MBA,
Pharmacy medication safety officer
JPS Health Network
 
Shealee Mitchell, BS, RN, MJur
Pharmacy medication safety officer
JPS Health Network
 
Host: 
Carolyn Liptak, BS Pharm, MBA  
Vizient
 
Show Notes: 
[01:02-02:32] Ruth and Shealee Backgrounds
[02:33-04:46] Background on diversion detection and prevention program at JPS
[04:47-06:55] Shealee's clinical background and how it shaped how she works with teams across the organization
[06:56-09:20] How the JPS diversion response team evolved
[09:21-13:55] Advice to our listeners to strengthen their own diversion prevention programs
[13:56-16:03] Where our listeners should go to get more information about drug diversion prevention and detection programs
 
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The Vizient Summer 2025 Spend Management Outlook (SMO) provides an integrated perspective on trends, factors and future expenses providers will face across the various dimensions of healthcare. In this episode, Dr. Carina Dolan and Dr. Jeni Hayes join host Carolyn Liptak to discuss pharmacy insights from the SMO including declining drug price inflation and how autoimmune conditions have surpassed oncology in total pharmacy costs. They also touch on pediatric spend drivers, biosimilar competition, and the impact of novel therapies. Tune in to VerifiedRx for practical insights to help pharmacy leaders plan for what’s ahead.
 
Guest speakers: 
Carina Dolan, Pharm. D., MS Pharm, BCOP  Associate Vice President, Clinical Oncology, Pharmacoeconomics and Market Insights  Vizient  Jeni Hayes, PharmD, MS Pharm, BCPS Senior Clinical Manager, Market Intelligence Vizient   Host:  Carolyn Liptak, BS Pharm, MBA VerifiedRx Host 
 
Show Notes: 
[01:13-02:41]  Key pharmacy trends emerging from the Summer SMO
[02:42-04:00] Current pharmacy trends
[04:01-05:55]  Pharmacy spend for autoimmune conditions has exceeded that of oncology
[05:56-07:36] Key takeaways
[07:37-08:47] Significant trends in this latest therapeutic insights update
[08:48-10:04] Challenges in gene and cell therapy space
[10:05-11:33] The Therapeutic Insights webpage for pediatrics
[11:34-13:41] Other reflections from the SMO
[13:42-14:49]  How to locate the SMO
 
Links | Resources: 
Vizient Spend Management Outlook
Vizient Therapeutic class insights
 
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Drug shortages continue to be a significant issue in the healthcare system, affecting various aspects of patient care and imposing substantial costs on hospitals and health systems. According to Vizient's 2024 drug shortages survey, U.S. hospitals are spending approximately 20 million hours annually managing these shortages, resulting in nearly $900 million in associated labor costs. The survey highlights that 74% of facilities reported exceeding their pharmacy budgets due to drug shortages, with pediatric facilities facing particularly significant financial and labor strain.
 
Kyle Hoelting, director of pharmacy supply assurance and stewardship and Nikola Markoski, director of pharmacy sourcing strategic solutions and analytics join host Katie Korte, vice president Vizient Reserve to delve into the results of Vizient’s 2024 drug shortage survey.
 
Guest speakers: 
Kyle Hoelting, Pharm.D, BCPS
Director, Pharmacy Supply Assurance & Stewardship
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence
 
Nikola Markoski, Pharm.D, MBA
Director, Pharmacy Sourcing Strategic Solutions & Analytics
Vizient
 
Host: 
Katie Kortie, Pharm.D, MHA, BCPS, BCCCP
Vice President, Strategy & Program Lead, Vizient Reserve
Vizient
 
Show Notes:
[00:47-01:14] Kyle and Niko Backgrounds
[01:15-05:04] What's different about this year's survey and what made 2023 a critical year in the drug shortage landscape
[05:05-08:27] How data was collected, what did the mix of information tells us and the biggest insights or patterns that surfaced in the survey
[08:28-12:25] What Vizient’s built or enabled that’s made a difference in this space
[12:26-15:55] How best to prepare for and respond to shortages from an inventory perspective
 
Links | Resources: 
Beyond the Shortage: The Hidden Cost of Drug Supply Chain Disruptions
Drug shortage stewardship: A novel solution for an old problem
Vizient Key performance indicators for the management of drug shortages
Vizient Essential Medications List
 
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We all know that clinician burnout negatively impacts the quality of patient care. That's why pharmacy residency accrediting bodies now emphasize resident well-being and professional sustainability as core components of residency training earlier in clinician careers. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Accreditation Standards for PGY1 and PGY2 Pharmacy Residencies include a formal requirement for programs to address resilience, well-being, and burnout prevention, reflecting the increasing recognition of burnout in healthcare. Joining us to talk that out are Tony Huke, Senior Pharmacy Executive Director with Vizient Pharmacy Advisory Solutions and Kendra Gage, Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist and the PGY 1 Residency Program Director at UCHealth, University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.
 
Guest speakers: 
Tony Huke, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP
Senior Pharmacy Executive Director
Vizient Pharmacy Advisory Solutions
 
Kendra Gage, PharmD, BCPS
Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director
UCHealth
 
Host: 
Kerry Schwarz, PharmD, MPH 
Senior Clinical Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine and Outcomes
Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence (CPPE)
 
Show Notes: 
[01:11-03:25] What’s new at the national level in terms of pharmacy resident resiliency and well-being
[03:26-03:56] The intentionality of well-being in pharmacy residency programs
[03:57-05:12] Examples from Kendra’s program
[05:13-06:40]  Program expectations to address resilience
[06:41-08:33]  Assessment and potential metrics of resiliency programs
[08:34-11:06]  The role of pharmacy leadership and residency program directors in resiliency
[11:07-12:34] Impact of resiliency programs so far
 
Links | Resources:
Accreditation Standards for PGY1 and PGY2 Pharmacy Residencies
 
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Information on COVID vaccines is moving fast. On May 27th, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID vaccines will no longer be universally recommended for healthy children or healthy pregnant women. That's a big shift, and understandably, it's raised a lot of questions. We're going to cut through the noise and take a look at where things really stand, who's getting vaccinated, how current guidance is evolving, and what this means for both children and adults as we look ahead to the next respiratory season.  Joining us to help sort it all out is Dr. John Schoen, Senior Clinical Manager of Drug Information at Vizient.
 
Guest speakers: 
John Schoen, PharmD, BCPS 
Senior Clinical Manager of Drug Information  
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence 
 
Host: 
Stacy Lauderdale, PharmD, BCPS 
Associate Vice President
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence 
 
Show Notes: 
[01:38-05:32] What changed in the recent CDC update for healthy children
[05:33-09:32] Discussion of COVID-19 outcomes and vaccination in children
[09:33-11:47] Specific risk factors for pediatric patients
[11:48-12:47] Is the US an outlier for not universally recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children and making no recommendation in healthy pregnant women?
[12:48-14:03] The FDA’s proposed regulatory framework for COVID-19 vaccine approval
[14:04-15:18] FDA’s approach to implementing revised requirements for randomized controlled trials
[15:19-16:57] Key discussion points from the May meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
[17:00-18:27] Topics requiring further clarification about COVID-19 vaccine
 
Links | Resources:
Vizient resources:
Minute Market Insight: Potential ACIP COVID-19 recommendation changes April 2025: https://www.vizientinc.com/download?342668
Minute Market Insight: May 2025 COVID-19 vaccine recommendation and policy updates: https://www.vizientinc.com/download?352336
Additional resources:
FDA perspective piece published in NEJM: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsb2506929
ACIP meeting information: https://www.cdc.gov/acip/meetings/index.html
CDC childhood immunization schedule: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html
CDC adult immunization schedule by medical condition: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-medical-condition.html
CDC RESP-NET: https://www.cdc.gov/resp-net/dashboard/
WHO COVID-19 dashboard: https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/deaths
MMWR - COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations and Maternal Vaccination Among Infants Aged <6 Months: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7338a1.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
MMWR – MIS-C, US 2023: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7310a2.htm
 
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Pharmacy reverse distributors play a key role in making pharmaceutical returns more efficient, helping with processing, financial settlements and delivering helpful data. They're in a unique spot to support efforts to prevent diversion, speed up inventory returns, and even contribute to sustainability goals. Kyle Hoelting, director of pharmacy supply assurance and stewardship at Vizient, along with Paige Ivey, senior national accounts director, and Houston Blankinship, senior director of customer experience for healthcare product operations at Inmar Intelligence join host Carolyn Liptak, pharmacy executive director in Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence and host for today's conversation.
 
Guest speakers: 
Kyle Hoelting, Pharm.D, BCPS Director, Pharmacy Supply Assurance & StewardshipVizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence
 
Paige IveySenior National Accounts DirectorInmar Intelligence
 
Houston BlankenshipSenior Director of Customer Experience for Healthcare Product OperationsInmar Intelligence
 
Host: Carolyn Liptak, MBA, RPh Pharmacy Executive Director Vizient
 
Show Notes: 
[01:05-03:33] Background for Kyle, Paige, Houston[03:34-05:10] How the pharmaceutical supply chain works and how everything is interconnected[05:10-09:32] How reverse distribution specifically supports pharmacy operations[09:33-11:16] How data that comes from reverse distribution can offer some great insights for pharmacy leaders[11:58-13:57] How data that comes from reverse distribution can give insight to drug shortages[13:58-16:42] Inmar's role with insight into drug shortages[16:43-21:05] Go-to resources for those wanting to explore more on stewardship and protective purchases
 
Links | Resources:
Drug shortage stewardship: A novel solution for an old problem
Vizient Essential Medications List
Vizient Key performance indicators for the management of drug shortages
 
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