340B Savings seem to be slowly drying up year over year, our team went to the NACHC CHI EXPO in Chicago this year and it was amazing to hear directly from health clinics just like yours how they are getting creative with revenue. It was eye opening to see how a majority of the clinics are turning to in house pharmacy to expand their revenue opportunity.

For Community Health Centers and other covered entities, owning a pharmacy isn’t just about filling prescriptions, it’s about creating a sustainable revenue stream, protecting 340B savings, and strengthening patient care. With manufacturer restrictions, rising drug costs, and evolving policy changes, building a CE-owned pharmacy has become one of the most strategic moves a health center can make.

1. Understand the 340B Advantage

A CE-owned pharmacy gives you more control over your 340B program. Instead of relying solely on contract pharmacy arrangements, you can capture in-house prescriptions, improve margins, and protect savings from policy shifts. This also reduces dependency on outside networks and creates a stronger foundation for long-term financial stability.

2. Pharmacy as a Business

When structured properly, your pharmacy can become one of the largest revenue generators for your health center. Beyond prescription fills, pharmacies open the door for expanded services, clinical programs, patient adherence initiatives, and preventive care opportunities. This revenue can be reinvested into expanding care access and improving outcomes.

3. Compliance Comes First

With a CE-owned pharmacy, the spotlight on compliance becomes even brighter. HRSA audits, 340B ESP submissions, and state-level requirements mean you’ll need airtight policies and procedures. Building compliance into the foundation of your pharmacy strategy ensures you avoid costly penalties while maintaining patient trust.

4. Integration With Clinical Operations

A pharmacy shouldn’t sit in a silo. The most successful CE-owned pharmacies are tightly integrated with medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Marketing your pharmacy to your patients and educating your staff on how to navigate patients to your pharmacy. This alignment improves medication adherence, strengthens care coordination, and ensures your pharmacy supports the patient journey.

5. Diversify Revenue Streams to Safeguard Your Future

The healthcare landscape is shifting constantly, manufacturer restrictions, policy changes, and shrinking 340B savings all create uncertainty. Building a CE-owned pharmacy is one of the most effective ways to diversify your revenue streams and reduce reliance on outside factors. By capturing pharmacy revenue in-house, you create a stable financial anchor that can help offset changes in 340B, payer contracts, or government programs. This diversification not only safeguards your organization’s future but also provides the flexibility to reinvest in patient services, expand care access, and weather industry changes with greater confidence.

At RxTrail, we help covered entities design and optimize CE-owned pharmacies that balance compliance, financial performance, and patient care. Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or looking to strengthen your existing program, our team can guide you every step of the way.

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