IRVING - McKesson, a global healthcare company, unveils three key considerations for hospital leadership following the historic challenges COVID-19 brought to America's healthcare system.
This includes a renewed focus on achieving tighter operational efficiencies; anticipating greater need for financial assistance for patients and expanding clinical services to capture new revenue opportunities and improve the cost and quality of care across the health system.
'It's clear hospitals and health systems expect their pharmaceutical distributor to play an integral role in navigating this pandemic and take proactive steps to provide quality patient care as we move beyond it,' said Scott Miller, president of McKesson's health systems division. 'Our team leverages global insights and applies that knowledge to the individual customer to identify, anticipate and address challenges emerging in today's pandemic-influenced environment. In addition to our deep supply chain expertise, we're helping hospitals recover revenue through patient assistance programs and utilization analytics. Health systems should expect more from their distributor, no matter the challenges they may face.'
Operational efficiency is paramount
The pharmaceutical supply chain, while always central to healthcare, will play an even more crucial role as the current pandemic threatens the financial viability of hospitals and health systems, large and small. Global recalls, manufacturing issues, and shrinking margins lead to more shortages and discontinued products, which is exacerbated by regional disasters. Leveraging global supplier partnerships and utilizing intelligent product allocation, McKesson is meeting this unprecedented challenge by creating a more transparent and equitable supply chain that benefits both business performance and patient care.
'We were successful treating patients because we had access to drugs,' shared Kevin Colgan, MA, FASHP, University of Chicago Medicine's vice president and chief pharmacy officer. 'McKesson had to throw out the old way of doing things, and they were instrumental in getting our orders filled.'
Formed in response to pandemic-induced purchasing increases, McKesson's Critical Care Drug Task Force (CCDTF) monitors medicines across the supply chain by using data and analytics. For example, McKesson's CCDTF compares the number of COVID-19 cases reported on a local and national level with customer demand patterns to help forecast supply needs with pharmaceutical manufacturers. In doing so, the task force supports hospital customers managing supply constraints and ultimately treating COVID-19 patients. The cross-functional team will continue to meet until COVID-19 is manageable and beyond.
About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information solutions. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful - all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named a 'Most Admired Company' in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a 'Best Place to Work' by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly.
Contact:
Kristen Breland
Email: Kristen.Breland@McKesson.com
MCKESSON CORPORATION 
