Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Nilesh Desai, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Baptist Health System
Jul 18, 2025
Nilesh Desai, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Baptist Health System, has spearheaded significant innovations in pharmacy services. He discusses the launch of a massive 102,000-square-foot central pharmacy, which enhances medication access and operational efficiency. Desai delves into how technology and collaboration can solve critical issues like drug shortages. He also highlights the importance of fostering the next generation of pharmacy leaders through targeted education, innovation, and a positive mindset in healthcare leadership.
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Building a Central Pharmacy Center
- Baptist Health built a 102,000-square-foot autonomous central pharmacy services center over 3.5 years.
- It now fills over 2700 prescriptions daily, improving medication access and efficiency across their sites.
Challenges Driving Centralization
- Drug shortages, pharmacy deserts, and staffing shortages create major access issues.
- Centralizing pharmacy services provides economies of scale and better patient access.
Pharmacy Trends and Technology
- Drug cost, payer networks, and emerging high-cost therapies keep pharmacy leaders constantly challenged.
- Leveraging technology and AI will be key to improving medication adherence and clinician efficiency.