Your pharmacy network is the backbone of your 340B program. The pharmacies you work with determine how many eligible prescriptions get captured, how patients access their medications, and how much revenue flows back to your organization.
Why Network Design Matters
Patients do not always fill prescriptions at the pharmacy closest to your clinic. They fill at the pharmacy closest to their home, their workplace, or the one their insurance prefers. If your 340B program only covers a few pharmacy locations, you are missing a large share of eligible volume.
A well-designed pharmacy network meets patients where they are. It covers the geographic footprint of your patient population and includes pharmacy types (retail, specialty, mail order) that match their prescribing patterns.
Navigating Manufacturer Restrictions
Over the past few years, several drug manufacturers have imposed restrictions on 340B contract pharmacy arrangements. These restrictions are real, but they are not insurmountable.
The key is working with a partner who understands the current restriction landscape and can structure pharmacy agreements that maximize your eligible volume while staying compliant. This often means using a combination of in-house dispensing, contract pharmacy relationships, and virtual pharmacy models.
Evaluating Your Current Network
Start by mapping your current pharmacy network against your patient population. Where are your patients filling prescriptions? How many of those fills are captured under 340B? Where are the geographic or pharmacy-type gaps?
If more than a small percentage of your eligible prescriptions are being filled outside your network, you have room to grow.
Building Strategic Partnerships
The best pharmacy partnerships are built on shared goals. Your pharmacy partners should understand the 340B program, support your compliance requirements, and be willing to work within the operational framework your program needs.
Look for pharmacies with strong dispensing volume in your service area, experience with 340B programs, and technology systems that integrate with your eligibility and tracking processes.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
MedMatrix builds and manages pharmacy networks for safety net providers. Schedule a consultation to evaluate your current network. Contact us at info@medmatrix-rx.com to get started.
