About this episode
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 specialist
Background: inventory control, home infusion startup, pharmacy technician educator
[01:14] — Michelle
Nationally certified pharmacy technician since 2016
Pharmacy buyer at a small independent county critical access hospital
Transitioned from accounting into pharmacy purchasing
[01:26] — The Role of Vizient in Supporting Pharmacy Buyers
Theresa:
Biggest benefit: relationship with pharmacy executive & sourcing team
Uses 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/decreases
Tracks product returns
Identifies sharing opportunities to prevent waste
[02:59] — Michelle’s Experience
Analytics helps mitigate waste
Collaboration with other buyers has been essential — especially for someone new to the buyer role
Learns navigation of Vizient systems and how to work with the local GPO
Peer support helps demystify a “diverse and complex” buyer role
[04:02] — Value of the Vizient Pharmacy Technician Committee
Provides national peer networking
Helps buyers learn from subject matter experts
Even highly experienced buyers (35+ years) learn from every call
[04:41] — Vizient Programs: NovaPlus, NES, Forum Calls, Hot Info
Bimonthly Forum Calls
Provide regulatory updates
Help expand buyer knowledge in real time
Hot Info Weekly Updates
Keeps users informed on inventory, shortages, spend impacts
[05:31] — Michelle
