The GOAT of GPO’s

Pharmacy buyers play a critical role in keeping hospitals running—and their partnership with a GPO can make all the difference. In this episode of Verified Rx, Jackie Stokes sits down with Theresa Brown and Michelle Crump, two powerhouse pharmacy buyers and members of Vizient’s Pharmacy Technician Committee, to talk about the tools, programs, and peer networks that help them thrive in their roles. From leveraging pharmacy analytics to navigating shortages, maximizing NovaPlus value, and strengthening buyer-to-buyer collaboration, this episode is packed with insights to help pharmacy teams work smarter, save money, and support better patient care. Guest speakers: Theresa Brown National Pharmacy Purchasing Specialist Prospect Medical Holdings Michelle Crump, ASBA, CPhT National Certified Pharmacy Technician Buyer Pharmacy Host: Jackie Stokes Program Services Manager Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence (CPPE) Vizient Show Notes: [00:48] — Guest Introductions Theresa National pharmacy purchasing specialistBackground: inventory control, home infusion startup, pharmacy technician educator [01:14] — Michelle Nationally certified pharmacy technician since 2016Pharmacy buyer at a small independent county critical access hospitalTransitioned from accounting into pharmacy purchasing [01:26] — The Role of Vizient in Supporting Pharmacy Buyers Theresa: Biggest benefit: relationship with pharmacy executive & sourcing teamUses Pharmacy Analytics (formerly VSAP) to evaluate spend and inventory control across 63 facilities [02:16] — How Pharmacy Analytics Supports Buyers Theresa: Data mining on spend increases/decreasesTracks product returnsIdentifies sharing opportunities to prevent waste [02:59] — Michelle’s Experience Analytics helps mitigate wasteCollaboration with other buyers has been essential — especially for someone new to the buyer roleLearns navigation of Vizient systems and how to work with the local GPOPeer support helps demystify a “diverse and complex” buyer role [04:02] — Value of the Vizient Pharmacy Technician Committee Provides national peer networkingHelps buyers learn from subject matter expertsEven highly experienced buyers (35+ years) learn from every call [04:41] — Vizient Programs: NovaPlus, NES, Forum Calls, Hot Info Bimonthly Forum Calls Provide regulatory updatesHelp expand buyer knowledge in real time Hot Info Weekly Updates Keeps users informed on inventory, shortages, spend impacts [05:31] — Michelle on Program Impact Calls and shared expertise were critical when she was newNovaPlus program especially valuable in critical access settings [06:32] — Deep Dive: How the NovaPlus Program Works Michelle explains: NovaPlus (Y-label) aligns with manufacturer-labeled products (M-label)Quarterly rebates provide significant savingsCritical access hospitals benefit via 340B optimizer software that extracts outpatient utilization to qualify for discounted M-label purchasingCan result in “significant savings” depending on contract structure [08:38] — What If NovaPlus Pricing Isn’t the Best Price? Michelle: Buyer’s responsibility to identify price discrepanciesCommunicates with Vizient representative to reassess contracting needsOften resolved through rebates or future price adjustments [09:30] — Theresa: Price challenges taken seriouslyMany result in price reductions visible in Hot Info the next weekDemonstrates importance of strong GPO relationships [10:07] — Understanding NES: NovaPlus Enhanced Supply Theresa: Her hospitals are exploring NES participationRequires 90% compliance (higher than standard 80%)Benefits include prioritized product access during shortagesCritical when national backorders exceed 200+ itemsEnsures better patient care continuity [11:34] — Supply Assurance & Mitigation Strategies Michelle: During the North Carolina hurricane, Vizient’s mitigation strategy was “imperative”Vizient engaged Baxter directly to resolve critical fluid shortagesSmall hospitals especially reliant on support in crisis situations [12:36] — Theresa: Shortage team provides substitution guidance and clinical appropriateness informationVizient recommendations support discussions with local clinical teamsCrucial during COVID start date — her first day in national role [13:23] — Continuing Education (CE) Programs Theresa: Vizient CE programs help maintain technician licensureWebinars are interactive, engaging, and more informative than generic CE resources [14:07] — Networking and Pharmacy Aggregation Groups (PAGs) Theresa: PAGs offer cost savings and peer collaborationAbility to share information and bring value back to her own network [14:44] — Michelle’s Example of System-to-System Collaboration Shared compounded syringes (from a 503B facility) with another hospital to prevent wasteHighlights real-world benefits of PAG networking [15:52] — Addressing National Challenges Together Theresa: PAG ...