Sure supply evolves to support continuity of care for vulnerable patient populations

That need has shaped the continued evolution of Cencora’s Sure Supply program. Designed to help health systems prepare for shortages before they happen, the program has expanded to include a broader range of critical, at-risk medications, with increased focus on therapies used to treat vulnerable patient populations.

Recent shortages affecting oncology medications illustrate why that evolution matters. Many cancer therapies serve as cornerstone treatments across multiple disease states and are often incorporated into first-line treatment regimens, making continuity of supply especially important for patient care.

Because of their central role, supply disruptions can create significant operational complexity for providers while adding risk to patient care planning. When critical oncology therapies become constrained, substitution becomes more difficult, limiting treatment flexibility and forcing difficult clinical decisions.

Across the healthcare system, shortages of these medications have led some providers to modify treatment schedules, prioritize patients based on clinical criteria, or seek alternative regimens — actions that underscore how quickly supply instability can translate into care disruption.¹

Health systems that had established safety stock through Sure Supply before the disruption were better positioned to navigate the shortage. As market availability tightened, participating health systems were able to access reserved inventory to support continuity of care for critical oncology therapies. Demand for this safety stock increased significantly during the shortage period, with access to affected oncology therapies rising 1,757% in April and May compared to earlier periods.² This demonstrated the value of inventory protections that were established before supply conditions deteriorated.

This is an important distinction. Sure Supply is not simply a response mechanism during a shortage. It is a planning strategy designed to help strengthen resilience before disruptions occur.

Traditionally, drug shortages force a reactive approach to allocation, where providers compete for a limited inventory after supply disruptions are already underway. Programs like Sure Supply introduce a different model. By committing to inventory before a shortage occurs, health systems can establish a more predictable supply position, reducing uncertainty and allowing clinical teams to focus on patient care rather than product availability. 

Cencora’s approach includes establishing long-term agreements with manufacturers to help create new and additional inventory before a shortage occurs and maintaining a six-month safety stock reserve based on a health system’s purchasing commitment. Products are only added when market supply is stable and production can be increased without affecting manufacturers’ ability to meet broader demand. The program does not sequester products that are already in shortage. Instead, it is designed to increase the overall quantity of medication available within the supply chain while providing participating health systems with access to reserved inventory during periods of disruption.

Beyond individual health systems, this type of forward-looking inventory model can help support broader supply chain stability. Drug shortages are often driven by manufacturing disruptions, quality issues, and supply chain constraints, all of which can create sudden shifts in availability.³ By aligning demand commitments with manufacturers in advance and supporting additional inventory creation, programs like Sure Supply can help create more predictable production signals, reduce volatility during periods of disruption, and strengthen resilience across the supply chain. 

For health system leaders, the lesson is clear: when therapies are medically essential and patient populations are especially vulnerable, supply continuity cannot depend on reacting after a disruption begins. It requires planning ahead, building resilience into the supply chain, and creating mechanisms that help protect access when the market becomes uncertain.

Sure Supply’s growing emphasis on oncology and pediatrics reflects that reality and Cencora’s ongoing focus on helping customers reduce supply risk while staying centered on patient care.