Healthcare delivery has changed, and so has pharmacy. Safe medication use and dispensing inpatient drugs were once the sole focus of pharmacy services. Now, pharmacy services have evolved to span the continuum of care, generate a significant portion of health system revenues, and make contributions critical to achieving cost and quality goals.
Although pharmacy services have changed, pharmacy leadership structures remain stuck in the past. Many health systems have not invested in their system-level pharmacy leadership. This leaves pharmacy leaders unable to effectively contribute to and execute on strategic initiatives. To achieve health system goals, progressive organizations are creating a chief pharmacy executive role.