WAC Decreases Are Here. Pharmacies Must Act Now.

Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) reductions are no longer theoretical. They are happening now, and they represent the largest WAC decreases in the history of the pharmaceutical industry. Some industry estimates suggest manufacturers are cutting as much as $50 billion in WAC across major brands.

For independent pharmacies, this is not a headline. It is a financial risk.

If you do not act quickly, WAC decreases can turn on-hand inventory into immediate losses.

Why This Matters to Your Pharmacy

Most wholesalers have already sent notices outlining upcoming WAC reductions on high-volume brand medications. These are not fringe drugs. They include household names such as Eliquis, Jardiance, and Farxiga.

The risk is simple:

• You purchased inventory at the old, higher WAC

• Manufacturers reduce WAC

• PBMs rapidly rebase reimbursement to the new, lower WAC

• You dispense product acquired at a higher cost

• Reimbursement drops below acquisition cost

That spread is real cash loss.

A Real-World Example: Farxiga

Let’s use Farxiga as an example.

• You have four bottles on your shelf

• Each was purchased at a WAC of roughly $600

• Manufacturer reduces WAC by 30 percent (about $180 per bottle)

• PBMs immediately reimburse based on the new lower WAC

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Result:

Every time you dispense from old inventory, you take a loss. Multiply that across multiple brands and multiple prescriptions, and losses can quickly reach tens of thousands of dollars.

To make matters worse, wholesalers have already implemented return blocks on some WAC-affected products. If you missed the return window, you may be stuck with high-cost inventory that reimburses at a lower rate.

What Pharmacies Must Do Right Now

In the wake of these WAC decreases, immediate action is critical. Pharmacies should:

• Review on-hand inventory

• Cross-check products with announced WAC decreases

• Monitor will-call prescriptions for WAC-affected medications

• Dispense, deliver, or return stock strategically

• Closely track WAC announcements from wholesalers

• Understand all return block policies

• Streamline inventory levels

• Shift toward on-demand ordering

• Enroll in CMS’ Medicare Transaction Facilitator program to ensure manufacturer refunds for Medicare-negotiated drugs

Delay is expensive. Speed matters.

Known Upcoming WAC Decreases (as of 11/21/2025)

AbbVie

• Linzess – January 1, 2026

AstraZeneca

• Farxiga – January 1, 2026

Boehringer Ingelheim

• Glyxambi – January 1, 2026

• Jardiance – January 1, 2026

• Synjardy – January 1, 2026

• Synjardy XR – January 1, 2026

• Trijardy XR – January 1, 2026

Bristol Myers Squibb

• Eliquis – January 1, 2026

Eli Lilly

• Humalog U200 – February 1, 2026

• Lyumjev – February 1, 2026

Novo Nordisk

• Fiasp – January 1, 2026

• Tresiba – January 1, 2026

Pharmacyclics (AbbVie)

• Imbruvica – December 22, 2025

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How RxConnexion Helps You Stay Ahead

Tracking WAC changes manually is no longer sustainable.

RxConnexion provides pharmacies with tools designed to:

• Monitor WAC changes across your inventory

• Identify exposure before losses occur

• Align purchasing with reimbursement realities

• Support smarter, leaner inventory strategies

• Reduce risk tied to PBM reimbursement shifts

• Monitor changes in your wholesale cost

This is about visibility, speed, and control.

WAC volatility is the new normal. Pharmacies that can see it early and act fast will survive and stay profitable. Those that cannot will feel the impact on every claim.

Now is the time to tighten inventory, sharpen monitoring, and use data to protect your margins.

Data