Premier, Inc. and Premier Infusion and Healthcare Services Forge Strategic Five-Year Partnership to Drive Ambulatory Infusion Growth Across Multiple States
Premier, Inc. (NASDAQ: PINC), a leading technology-enabled healthcare performance improvement company, announced a significant new collaboration with Premier Infusion and Healthcare Services, Inc. (Premier Infusion and HCS), a closed-door infusion pharmacy headquartered in Torrance, California. The two organizations have entered into a five-year group purchasing agreement that is expected to not only streamline supply chain operations but also accelerate Premier Infusion and HCS’s expansion into the rapidly growing ambulatory infusion clinic (AIC) market across the western United States.
This partnership underscores a broader transformation taking place in healthcare, as more providers pivot toward outpatient and ambulatory models of care in response to rising demand, payer incentives, and patient preference for accessible, lower-cost care settings. With infusion therapy being one of the fastest-growing areas in specialty care, the agreement positions Premier Infusion and HCS to expand its already well-regarded home infusion capabilities into new markets and care delivery models.
Background on the Partners
Premier, Inc. is one of the most recognized names in healthcare performance improvement. With a membership base that spans over 4,400 U.S. hospitals and health systems and approximately 250,000 other providers and organizations, Premier has built a reputation for delivering advanced analytics, supply chain expertise, group purchasing power, and advisory services. The company’s group purchasing organization (GPO) model allows members to leverage collective buying power to achieve better pricing, improve supply chain reliability, and drive operational efficiency.
For Premier Infusion and Healthcare Services, the agreement represents a pivotal step in its long-term strategy. Founded by Dr. Sina M. Refua, PharmD., BCNSP, Premier Infusion and HCS has become a respected player in infusion therapy, particularly in home-based care. The company currently serves patients across California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, and Washington State, delivering highly specialized infusion therapies tailored to patient needs. Known for its patient-centered approach and clinical excellence, Premier Infusion and HCS has established itself as a trusted provider at the intersection of pharmacy and direct patient care.
The Strategic Importance of Ambulatory Infusion
The new agreement comes at a time when the infusion therapy sector is rapidly shifting toward ambulatory infusion clinics. Unlike hospital-based infusion centers, which can be costly and sometimes less convenient, ambulatory infusion clinics offer a middle ground between home infusion and hospital outpatient services. They provide patients with a comfortable, specialized environment for receiving complex therapies while lowering costs and improving accessibility.
This transition is being driven by several key factors:
- Rising Demand for Specialty Infusions
Biologic drugs, immunotherapies, and other complex treatments that require intravenous administration are becoming more common in the treatment of chronic diseases, autoimmune conditions, and cancers. - Cost Containment
Payers, including Medicare and commercial insurers, increasingly support ambulatory infusion clinics because they represent a lower-cost site of care compared to hospital outpatient departments. - Patient Convenience and Preference
Patients often prefer outpatient or ambulatory clinic settings for infusion because they are more accessible, less intimidating than hospital environments, and offer flexible scheduling. - Provider Opportunity
Healthcare organizations see ambulatory infusion centers as a growth opportunity, with strong reimbursement models and rising demand.
By leveraging Premier, Inc.’s GPO services, Premier Infusion and HCS can position itself as a competitive player in this expanding market.
Details of the Agreement
Under the five-year agreement, Premier, Inc. will provide:
- Group Purchasing Services: Giving Premier Infusion and HCS access to the company’s vast purchasing network, which encompasses billions in annual spend, ensuring favorable pricing and supply reliability.
- Supply Chain Management Expertise: Offering tools and advisory support to streamline procurement processes, optimize inventory, and reduce waste.
- Technology and Analytics: Leveraging Premier’s advanced data platforms to improve cost-efficiency, forecast demand, and support operational scalability.
The deal is projected to exceed $50 million in annual contract spend, making it a substantial addition to Premier’s continuum of care purchasing volume, which includes providers beyond traditional hospitals such as ambulatory clinics, pharmacies, and post-acute care organizations.
Leadership Perspectives
From Premier, Inc.’s standpoint, the agreement represents a validation of its growing influence outside the hospital walls. Andy Brailo, Chief Commercial Officer of Premier, Inc., emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting members like Premier Infusion and HCS as they expand into new models of care.
We are proud to play a role in the continued expansion of Premier Infusion and HCS’s outpatient infusion services,” Brailo said. “Premier’s supply chain management services and technology will help support operational efficiency, cost containment and scalable growth to ensure that more patients receive the high-quality care they deserve. Equally important, this new group purchasing agreement speaks to the competitive strength and continued growth of Premier’s continuum of care purchasing and support services business.
On the other side, Dr. Sina M. Refua, President and Founder of Premier Infusion and HCS, highlighted the impact of the partnership on patient access and organizational efficiency.
Together, we’re creating a more efficient pathway to expand access to high-quality infusion care,” Dr. Refua noted. “This partnership enables us to streamline operations and improve cost-effectiveness as we expand our service offering and geographic footprint.
Industry Context and Implications
The infusion therapy sector has been experiencing double-digit growth in many regions, with market analysts projecting continued expansion due to the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. The U.S. ambulatory infusion market is particularly attractive, with estimates suggesting it could grow to tens of billions of dollars over the next decade.
Partnerships like this one between Premier, Inc. and Premier Infusion and HCS demonstrate how strategic collaborations are essential in navigating this evolving landscape. By combining the scale and supply chain expertise of Premier, Inc. with the clinical excellence and regional footprint of Premier Infusion and HCS, both organizations are better positioned to serve patients while managing costs and driving sustainable growth.
