Vizient, a healthcare performance improvement company that provides expertise, analytics and advisory services, has teamed up with Civica Rx, a nonprofit generic drugmaker run by hospital groups.
The aim is to reduce the impact of drug shortages.
More specifically, Vizient will use its analytics and data capabilities to provide insights into purchasing patterns and provider needs. This will help Civica Rx anticipate gaps in drug availability and affordability.
“Our experience tells us that there are many different reasons for drug shortages — so it will take a wide variety of solutions to fully solve the problems,” said Vizient senior vice president of pharmacy services Dan Kistner in a statement.
Based in Irving, Texas, Vizient offers clinical, pharmacy, operations, supply chain and advisory solutions. It serves pediatric facilities, community hospitals and integrated healthcare delivery networks, among others. The company already uses its analytics and data insights combined with its private label Novaplus pharmacy program to reduce the effects of drug shortages and lower rising drug costs.
“The more people collaborating to solve the nation’s drug shortage problem the better,” said Civica Rx president and CEO Martin VanTrieste, according to a news release. “We thank Vizient for prioritizing hospital patients by taking action to help them have timely access to the treatments they desperately need on a day-to-day basis.”
As for Civica Rx, it was officially established as a nonprofit organization last year. The initial governing members include Catholic Health Initiatives, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Providence St. Joseph Health, SSM Health and Trinity Health, which together represent about 500 U.S. hospitals. The Department of Veterans Affairs also works with Civica Rx. Additionally, three philanthropic groups — the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, the Peterson Center on Healthcare and the Gary and Mary West Foundation — each committed $10 million.
Numerous other organizations have since joined Civica Rx, including Sanford Health, UnityPoint Health, Ochsner Health System, Advocate Aurora Health, Memorial Hermann Health System and Franciscan Alliance.
The initiative, which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, was originally announced in early 2018.
Photo: grThirteen, Getty Images
