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The Company
HAC Pharmacies
HAC Pharmacies serves multiple communities in Oklahoma through 24
locations in HAC grocery stores. These include Homeland, HAC’s largest
banner and the state’s largest locally owned grocery store. HAC has been
100% employee-owned since 2011.
The Challenge
While continuing to provide high-quality care to patients statewide, HAC
needed to reduce its cost of goods sold (COGS) as much as possible.
They needed strategy and tools to save money without costing them too
much time.
Like many retail pharmacies, HAC had to contend with a complex pharmacy
purchasing ecosystem not designed for transparency. Medication prices
change daily, and thousands of products are listed across multiple vendors
and purchasing interfaces. Purchasing staf at HAC were stuck flipping back
and forth between wholesalers. They often bought in bulk when they found
a low price from a secondary, only to miss out when their primary vendor
began ofering a better price.
HAC was also losing time and money. For example, Joshua Miller, HAC’s
director of pharmacy, was dedicating up to an hour twice a week to compile a
list of commonly purchased items from their secondary wholesaler. But it
was ultimately just the best guess based on what he could see at that time;
Josh knew he was missing better purchasing opportunities buried in the
data.
While Josh was spending too much time on purchasing, others at HAC
pharmacies weren’t spending any time on it. COGS wasn’t a concern.
A wave of 100% gross on COVID-19 vaccines shifted the focus away from
COGS.
Yet the pharmacy retail market has changed drastically over the past few
years. The additional cost of vaccines, this year’s double DIR “hangover,”
lower reimbursements, and shipping delays are a few factors that make it
crucial to focus on saving money wherever possible.
When Josh assumed a leadership role at HAC in 2022, he was determined
to find ways to reduce COGS, compensate for DIR fees and find reliable
vendors. One primary wholesaler suggested their purchasing tool, but Josh
and his team wanted a “neutral” solution.
INDUSTRY
Retail Pharmacy
HIGHLIGHTS
Founded: 1916
Headquarters:
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Number of pharmacies: 24
Number of employees: 115
Challenges:
• High COGS lowering margins
• Missing better purchasing
opportunities
• Inconsistent purchasing strategy
Solutions
A single interface for smarter
purchasing
• Integrate all trade partners
• Compare all purchasing options
• Drive to the best options
• Ensure compliance
• Save time and money
INTERVIEWS
Joshua Miller,
Director of Pharmacy,
HAC Inc.
The Solution
"Having all vendors in one place has made it easier for my staff
to find the best product at the best price for the patient in a
timely manner without wasting hours doing it.” – Josh Miller,
Director of Pharmacy, HAC Inc.
With SureCost,
HAC Pharmacies
saved $200,000
over the past
four months.
CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY