Vizient Forecasts 3.35% Increase in Pharmaceutical Prices in 2026 Amid Rising Use of Specialty Medications

Strategic Insights -

Rising demand for GLP-1 therapies, specialty medications, and high-cost cell and gene therapies is driving a projected 3.35% increase in pharmaceutical prices in 2026, according to Vizient's Summer 2025 Spend Management Outlook. This forecast, based on analysis of Vizient client purchases and various public sources, includes growth in areas such as autoimmune and inflammatory therapies, immune globulin, and indirect spend categories like IT services and non-medical capital equipment. The report highlights the need for healthcare providers to prepare for the financial impact of these emerging therapeutic technologies and navigate the complex acquisition and reimbursement processes associated with them.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vizient forecasts a 3.35% increase in pharmaceutical prices in 2026, driven by rising usage of GLP-1 therapies, specialty medications, and high-cost cell and gene therapies.
  • Specialty therapies, particularly CAR-T cellular therapies, emerge as one of the dominant drivers of inpatient drug spend across all acquisition channels, with spend for GLP-1 tirzepatide surging by 167% in 2024 compared to 2023 among Vizient pharmacy program participants.
  • Immune globulin surpasses Humira as the top drug by spend, with a 22% increase since January, driven by expanding use in pediatric and chronic disease segments.
  • Autoimmune and inflammatory therapies have overtaken oncology as the top therapeutic class for the first time, accounting for 24.83% of total wholesaler-based pharmacy spend among Vizient program participants.
  • Indirect spend category and capital equipment lead supply chain inflation, with IT services prices projected to rise 5.5% and prices for non-medical capital equipment for purchases such as HVAC and furniture, projected to rise 4.17%.
  • Food prices are projected to increase by 3.31%, driven by rising labor costs, diseases impacting poultry, cattle, and produce, and weather-related events.
  • Medical capital equipment, surgical supplies, and physician preference items are areas of focus, with prices projected to rise 3.28%, 4.17%, and 5.28%, respectively.

Statistics:

  • 3.35%: Projected increase in pharmaceutical prices in 2026, driven by rising usage of GLP-1 therapies, specialty medications, and high-cost cell and gene therapies.
  • 167%: Increase in spend for GLP-1 tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) among Vizient pharmacy program participants in 2024 compared to 2023.
  • 24.83%: Share of total wholesaler-based pharmacy spend accounted for by autoimmune and inflammatory therapies among Vizient program participants.
  • 22%: Increase in immune globulin spend since January.
  • 5.5%: Projected increase in IT services prices.
  • 4.17%: Projected increase in prices for non-medical capital equipment for purchases such as HVAC and furniture.
  • 3.31%: Projected increase in food prices.

Sources:

  • Vizient, Inc. Summer 2025 Spend Management Outlook.
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Energy Information Administration.
  • Vizient product category expertise.