The 4 Bagging Processes in Specialty Pharmacy
A visual guide to how specialty medications are handled with each type of bagging – and why it matters
After a specialty medication is prescribed by a provider in a clinic or healthcare environment, the specialty pharmacy team gets engaged to determine the most efficient and appropriate way to get that medication into the patient’s hands. If it’s determined that the medication must be billed through pharmacy benefits versus medical benefits, the medication will need to be filled by a specialty pharmacy and then often must come back into the healthcare environment to ultimately be administered by the provider. This is accomplished using one of the four specialty pharmacy bagging processes depicted below.
Why It Matters
When health systems have control over the procurement of medication, hospitals can better manage medications, supply chain integrity, and alleviate administrative burden for patients. This helps to prevent treatment delays, and the health system can save costs and prevent waste.
With each method of bagging presenting its own unique challenges and opportunities, McKesson’s Specialty and Infusion for Health Systems team is here to help you navigate the complexities in the specialty pharmacy ecosystem to improve your specialty pharmacy program and the patient journey.
© 2025 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
Brown Bagging
White
Bagging
Clear
Bagging
Gold
Bagging
Click an arrow above to learn more.
Contact us
A specialty medication is prescribed by a provider and dispensed directly to the patient by an outpatient pharmacy external to the health system. The patient must handle and store their medication properly before bringing the medication to the clinic or healthcare environment to be administered.
A specialty medication is prescribed by a provider, dispensed by an outpatient pharmacy external to the health system, and shipped directly to the clinic or healthcare environment, where it will be stored until the patient returns for administration.
A specialty medication is prescribed by a provider, dispensed by the health system’s internal specialty pharmacy, and internal teams bring it directly to the clinic where it will ultimately be administered to the patient.
The health system specialty pharmacy team coordinates all points of treatment, from prescribing through dispensing and, ultimately, administering the medication internally.
Supports patient holistically through entire care journey
Benefits:
Offers the highest level of transparency and efficiency
Increased transparency and control
Benefits:
Can reduce treatment delays
Keeps revenues internal
Inventory control and potential waste
Logistics and potential treatment delays
CHALLENGES:
Burden of responsibility falls to patient
Potential compromise of medication integrity
CHALLENGES:
