Vizient SMO: Navigating ongoing cost pressures

The latest Vizient Spend Management Outlook projects a 2.78% overall increase in healthcare supply chain prices for July 2026 to June 2027. Pharmacy price growth is projected at 2.84%, but, for the first time in more than a decade, pharmacy is no longer the fastest-growing non-labor expense: IT and facilities-related costs now lead projected inflation, the report finds. This signals a shift in how hospitals must approach budget planning. Agile sourcing strategies and a deep understanding of market risk will be critical for organizations continuing to navigate economic and operational headwinds over the next year.