Specialized enablement support to build and scale cell and gene therapy programs

In this HFMA Business Profile, Ryan Telford, PharmD, vice president, health system pharmacy portfolio strategy at Cencora’s Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions, discusses how health systems can develop a sustainable strategy to support broader patient access to cell and gene therapies.

How does Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions help health systems build and advance their cell and gene therapy (CGT) strategy?

For some health systems, the challenge is entering the CGT space. For other health systems already administering CGT— often CAR T-cell therapy [chimeric antigen receptor therapy in the oncology space — the challenge is creating a strategy for sustainable expansion. In both instances, we help health systems evaluate market opportunity, assess organizational readiness, define priorities and build a road map  that includes governance and cross-functional alignment.

One quality that differentiates Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions is our visibility into the broader CGT landscape. As part of Cencora, we have deep connections throughout the ecosystem. Our sister businesses work with manufacturers and developers on logistics, distribution and go-to-market strategy. Because of that, we have great awareness of emerging therapies and the expectations around them.

What challenges are health systems working through as CGTs become more available?

There are currently more than 35 Food and Drug Administration-approved CGT therapies, largely in oncology. In the next three to five years, that pipeline is expected to expand to broader indications and larger patient populations, with a lot of that growth taking place outside rare disease and hematology. 

Organizations are navigating high-cost therapies, evolving payer requirements and limited visibility into reimbursement timing. They need predictable, scalable, financially sustainable models. CGT programs also require close coordination across pharmacy, finance, patient access, revenue cycle, supply chain and clinical teams. Without strong alignment and governance, that complexity can create fragility as programs grow.

Many health systems have already solved financial and operational problems on a micro level, say within an oncology department. The challenge now is creating a more repeatable, enterprise-level model that can support expansion across therapies, sites and service lines.

How can your CGT Enablement solution help health systems meet these challenges?

We help health systems clearly see their current capacity and map their market opportunity, then create a strategy to meet it, including, for example, economic modeling, governance design, implementation support, shared services development and patient access services. Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions offers a broad range of high-value pharmacy support and CGT Enablement is one part of our broader capabilities.

What should healthcare leaders look for when choosing partners for CGT?

Subject matter expertise is important, but it is only the starting point. Health systems should look for a partner with meaningful connectivity across the ecosystem and a practical understanding of how manufacturer realities, provider operations, reimbursement dynamics and patient access all intersect.

Who are the individuals supporting the effort, and what’s their ability to know the market? Is the partner organization invested in the sector for the long term to support sustained insights?

Pay close attention to financial models. Some partners take a share of revenue or margin. That can be attractive at the start, but over the long term, as the CGT program grows, it may not bring as much value to the health system. Our CGT Enablement is offered as a predictable, transparent, fee-based model.

And finally, consider organizational incentives. Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions and Cencora have a vested interest in the long-term success of health systems and the overall ecosystem. We truly view these as partner relationships.

What advice would you offer health systems to better set themselves up for success?

Treat CGT as a distinct service line, rather than a series of disconnected activities. An example is infusion therapy or surgery — service lines managed holistically across specialties. Establish a solid operational footing by having CGT as a strategic service line with clinical delivery and financial revenue cycle operations aligned. It’s also important to have a governance system in place to evaluate which therapies to deploy and which shared services to develop, taking into account the market landscape and lifecycle of therapies. Ultimately, each health system will need to assess these decisions based on its own goals, capabilities and operating environment.

Consider outside expertise. Because the field is early stage and so dynamic, it can be a good investment to bring in experts who know the market and are connected to the pipeline. From a medical-delivery perspective, these are the most cutting-edge therapies in the market. The delivery system and technology of today will not meet the needs of tomorrow.

How would you describe the value of working with Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions’ CGT Enablement team?

Our market differential is we want to help health systems build a program tailored to their system that they can sustain on their own and not be dependent on us. We bring a perspective that spans both manufacturer realities and provider needs, which supports stronger planning and cross-functional alignment. Our value comes from the ecosystem insight we can bring, the practical support we provide, and the predictability of a transparent, fee-based relationship.

Are there resources you recommend for leaders who want to learn more about CGT programs?

Reach out to peer health systems and use professional societies and industry reports to stay current on market developments, pipeline activity and emerging models. Helpful resources include the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) and Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM).

While staying informed is an important first step, there is still a real gap in expertise around CGT strategy and operations for health systems building or expanding CGT programs. That is where Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions’ CGT Enablement offering is focused. Leaders who want to learn more about our capabilities and also read about what other health system leaders are sharing about CGT can visit www.cencora.com/solutions/cell-and-gene-therapy-enablement or connect with our team directly at www.cencora.com/solutions/cell-and-gene-therapy-enablement#connect-with-us. We are always happy to have an initial discussion and answer questions.

About Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions

Accelerate Pharmacy Solutions is an integrated portfolio of pharmacy and supply chain solutions from Cencora, a global pharmaceutical solutions organization, that pairs industry-leading technology with deep pharmacy and supply chain expertise to help health systems build, grow and optimize their pharmacy programs. Our scalable solutions help health systems optimize operations, improve financial performance, expand care, and safeguard tomorrow. For more information, visit www.cencora.com/solutions/accelerate-pharmacy-solutions.

_{This published piece is provided solely for informational purposes. HFMA does not endorse the published material or warrant or guarantee its accuracy. The statements and opinions by participants are those of the participants and not those of HFMA. References to commercial manufacturers, vendors, products, or services that may appear do not constitute endorsements by HFMA.}