As healthcare systems continue to face persistent supply chain disruptions and escalating drug costs, the need to enhance operational efficiency and reduce waste has never been more urgent. In a recent episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, titled "Unlocking Hidden Value: Using Pharmaceutical Returns Data for Smarter Hospital Decision-Making," Inmar’s Rob DeWig, Vice President of Sales, Inmar Rx Solutions, Inc., highlights a powerful yet often overlooked opportunity: transforming pharmaceutical returns data into a strategic asset for pharmacy and supply chain leadership. Read on for key takeaways from the episode—and be sure to click the link at the end to hear the full conversation.
From Operational Necessity to Strategic Intelligence
Pharmaceutical returns are typically seen as a compliance-driven process—a necessary response to expired or unused inventory. However, as DeWig explains, this reactive view often overlooks the rich data hidden within those returns. When examined proactively, returns data reveals patterns that can help health systems make better purchasing decisions, adjust formulary choices, and reduce excess inventory.
“Originally, reverse distribution was only looked at as a way of getting rid of the junk out of their hospitals and health systems,” DeWig explains. “And now... people are really diving into the data a lot more than we’ve seen in the years past.”
Translating Insights into Operational and Financial Gains
The strategic application of pharmaceutical returns data is already delivering measurable results across health systems. DeWig highlights real-world examples where organizations have used this data to reduce waste, enhance inventory efficiency, and improve financial outcomes. In one case, a health system achieved a 7% reduction in waste by using data Inmar provided—demonstrating the tangible impact of data-informed decision-making.
By identifying medications with low utilization or high return rates, pharmacy leaders can reallocate resources to more effective therapies, minimize excess inventory, and strengthen formulary management. These insights support not only cost containment, but also improved clinical alignment and operational accountability.
Embedding Returns Analytics Into Pharmacy Strategy
According to DeWig, the organizations seeing the greatest success treat returns data as a foundational input for pharmacy strategy—not just an afterthought. He encourages leaders to integrate this data into their routine performance reviews and long-term planning efforts by:
- Pairing returns data with usage and purchasing trends to uncover actionable insights
- Creating dashboards that identify inefficiencies in real time
- Collaborating with clinical stakeholders to align inventory with actual patient needs
With inflationary pressures, ongoing drug shortages, and tighter hospital margins, the ability to extract value from existing data is more critical than ever. As DeWig puts it, “How can we use the data to be proactive—on how we’re purchasing, what we’re setting our par levels at, and ensuring we’re bringing the most money back to our health system?” This strategic approach positions pharmacy departments to move from reactive management to proactive optimization—building a more resilient, data-driven operation.
Hear the Full Conversation
To dive deeper into these strategies and hear additional real-world examples, listen to the full episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: "Unlocking Hidden Value: Using Pharmaceutical Returns Data for Smarter Hospital Decision-Making" featuring Inmar’s Rob DeWig, Vice President of Sales, Inmar Rx Solutions, Inc.,
Whether you're exploring new ways to improve operational performance or rethinking how your organization uses data, this conversation offers a timely perspective—and a fresh lens on a familiar challenge.
Listen to the episode now.
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