Centralized IV Compounding Drives Pharmacy Savings, Efficiency | ASHP Midyear 2025

With the help of automation and advanced robotics, the novel ideas surrounding centralized IV compounding are gradually becoming standard as decision-makers in the pharmacy and health system spaces continue to develop solutions.

“I think the broader goal is standardization,” Arpit Mehta, PharmD, MPH, MHA, CPEL, FASHP, director of pharmacy at Allegheny General Hospital, told Drug Topics. “Standardization, efficiency, and savings: I think [these] are kind of the category that truly sent our IV robotics program, IV workflow solution, the support. And again, there's obviously a lot of other anecdotal impacts.”

At this point in time, standardization across health systems and various aspects of the pharmacy industry is crucial. Ensuring that supply chain entities are well-connected and stakeholders are finding the most efficient ways in distributing cost-effective medications to patients, the centralized compounding of intravenous (IV) medications has shown significant promise in tackling some of the greatest challenges across health systems.

To learn more about centralized IV compounding and their roles within the process, Mehta was joined by his colleague, Laura Mark, PharmD, MHM, FASHP, FABC, vice president of pharmacy at Allegheny Health Network. The duo explored the goals stemming from centralized compounding solutions and the broader efficiencies and standards these solutions successfully manage.

“[There are] a lot of other integral benefits, if you will, that comes with [centralized IV compounding],” concluded Mehta. “But directly, if you think about it, it's kind of our standardizing—freeing [up] our folks to focus on their activities, savings, and finances.”

READ MORE: ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition

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