Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Beyond Dispensing: Building Health System Value Through Pharmacy Partnerships

Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Lucas Voss (A), Becker’s Healthcare
Guest: Eric Huckins (B), VP of Business Development, Lumicera Health Services

Brief Overview

This episode offers an in-depth discussion on the evolving role of pharmacy partnerships in health systems, focusing on overcoming challenges in specialty pharmacy, 340B programs, and technology. Eric Huckins draws on his experience at Lumicera Health Services to share how strategic collaborations empower health systems to care for their own patients, navigate accreditation hurdles, respond proactively to market forces, and build sustainable, value-driven pharmacy programs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lumicera’s Mission and Specialty Pharmacy Landscape (00:44–02:10)

• Lumicera’s Background:
  • National specialty pharmacy, majority owned by SSM Health (a 24-hospital system).
  • Known for transparency in pricing (cost-plus model) and standing as the first/only transparent cost-plus specialty pharmacy managing both brand and generics.
  • Growth achieved through national scale, technology, and close health system partnerships.
• Quote:
  • "We've really helped by partnering with [SSM Health] as our first health system partner to help them grow and expand and leverage some of Lumicera's national size, scale, [and] technologies." (B, 01:40)

2. Major Challenges Facing Health System Pharmacies (02:10–04:27)

• Access-to-Care Barriers:
  • Many health systems are unable to fully dispense or manage medications for their own patients due to payer contracting limitations.
  • Integrated, in-house pharmacy access results in superior outcomes due to better information sharing and coordination.
• 340B Program Volatility:
  • Manufacturer restrictions and policy changes threaten the intended function of the 340B program, which serves under-resourced patients.
• Quote:
  • “...not being able to be dispensed and managed by the pharmacy program within their four walls...is a major challenge and hurdle that a lot of hospitals face today.” (B, 02:51)
  • "We know when it’s all managed within the same patient care team… it just provides a higher touch and better health outcomes for the patients, which is the ultimate goal.” (B, 03:18)

3. The Power and Practice of Partnerships (04:27–07:54)

• Mission Alignment:
  • Lumicera's model draws health system partners with its focus on transparency and elevated service quality.
  • Leveraging national scale allows even smaller systems to benefit from aggregated buying power and vendor relationships.
• Value Delivered:
  • Assistance with payer access, optimizing 340B program execution, accessing limited distribution drugs, and network integrity.
  • Support around accreditation, especially in rare/orphan drug and oncology spaces, helping meet the distinct requirements of modern specialty pharmacy.
• Philosophy:
  • Not a one-size-fits-all partnership; each health system is evaluated individually to maximize tailored value and accelerate their pharmacy journeys.
• Quote:
  • "We've also been able to leverage a lot of the buying power and scale for a lot of drug purchases..." (B, 05:12)
  • "Every health system is very different and has unique needs... that's been our approach." (B, 07:28)

4. Strategic Forward-Thinking for Health Systems (07:54–10:47)

• Proactive Planning:
  • Margin compression, particularly in specialty pharmacy, is driving innovation in purchasing and operational models.
  • Embracing biosimilars: These not only broaden access but also yield financial savings for health systems and their affiliated plans.
• Focus Areas for the Future:
  • Preparing for the influx of rare and orphan drugs, cell/gene therapies, and their attendant specialty requirements.
  • Emphasis on data partnerships, manufacturer relationships, and advanced accreditations to remain competitive and effective.
• Quote:
  • “Biosimilars have been a great, great emergence into the market to get our patients more access and also create savings for whether it’s their own employees or...partner payers…” (B, 08:53)
  • "...the frontier of specialty, the specialty of today and the future." (B, 09:33)

5. The Importance of Proactivity (10:47–end)

• Host’s Reflection:
  • Emphasizes the difference between reactive and proactive approaches in adapting to the shifting landscape.
• Closing Thought:
  • Building value in health system pharmacy is a journey—one best navigated with foresight, adaptability, and reliable partnerships.
• Quote:
  • "Proactive versus reactive is such a big piece to this conversation." (A, 10:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On In-House Care:
  • “...provides a higher touch and better health outcomes for the patients, which is the ultimate goal.” (B, 03:18)
• On the 340B Challenge:
  • “[We] help to educate and position health systems to ultimately take care of those underserved patients and utilize the program as is intended.” (B, 04:13)
• On Tailored Partnerships:
  • “Every health system is very different and has unique needs... that’s been our approach.” (B, 07:28)
• On Biosimilars & Cost Pressure:
  • "Biosimilars have been a great, great emergence into the market..." (B, 08:53)
• On Future Specialty Trends:
  • "...the frontier of specialty, the specialty of today and the future." (B, 09:33)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:44 – 02:10: Eric Huckins’ background and Lumicera’s approach
• 02:10 – 04:27: Key challenges—access to care, 340B volatility
• 04:27 – 07:54: Partnership models and what makes them succeed
• 07:54 – 10:47: Strategic advice for health systems (margin compression, biosimilars, specialty drug pipeline)
• 10:47 – 11:00: Host’s wrap-up and the importance of proactive strategies

Summary

This episode distills timely insights for health system leaders navigating specialty pharmacy’s complexities. Strategic partnerships—like those offered by Lumicera—can help organizations overcome access barriers, regulatory headwinds, and shrinking margins. By focusing on flexibility, transparency, and forward thinking, health systems can retain more specialty prescriptions, leverage new therapeutics, and ultimately improve outcomes and value for their patients and communities.