SHOREVIEW, Minn. — As demand for pharmacy services continues to rise across the country amid the growing crisis of pharmacy deserts, Fairview Pharmacy Services is expanding its capacity and capabilities. In fall 2025, the organization—already one of the largest health system-based home infusion and specialty pharmacies in the country—will move into a new, state-of-the-art facility in Shoreview, Minn., designed to support patients both locally and nationwide.
The move reflects Fairview’s long-term commitment to advancing pharmacy services and improving equitable, accessible, and high-quality care. Today, the system serves patients at 26 retail pharmacy locations, cares for more than 16,000 specialty and 2,900 home infusion patients, and fills more than 50,000 prescription medications each month, including through mail services.
“This new facility is an investment in the patients we serve every day,” said John Pastor, president of Fairview Pharmacy Services. “By bringing together advanced technology, expanded capacity, and our dedicated pharmacy team, we’ll be able to reach more people, deliver medications more efficiently, and provide the personalized support patients need to live healthier lives.”
Nationally, demand for prescription medications is at an all-time high. According to the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, U.S. spending on pharmaceuticals grew 10.2% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $805.9 billion. Spending is projected to increase another 9 to 11% in 2025, driven by growing use of weight- loss medications, innovative cancer therapies, and an aging population.
Meanwhile, nearly 30% of pharmacies across the country have closed in the past decade, leaving people, particularly in low-income, rural, and minority communities, without access to essential medications, vaccines, and pharmacy care.
“As one of the nation’s leading health system-based pharmacies, we have a responsibility to meet rising demand and close critical gaps in access, especially as pharmacy deserts grow,” said James Hereford, president and CEO of Fairview. “Our new pharmacy facility strengthens our ability to expand services, innovate care, and ensure that individuals and families across Minnesota and beyond can access the medications and support they need.”
The new facility highlights include:
• Automated dispending and robotics technology to keep pace with patient needs, support new
therapies, and improve accuracy and safety
• Quicker, more efficient processing for mail services pharmacy, leading to faster direct delivery of
medications to people nationwide, filling gaps created by pharmacy deserts
• 16 specially designed infusion bays for patients to receive intravenous (IV) medications for complex
conditions
• Expanded cold-chain storage to support the safe distribution of biologics and specialty medications
• Room to expand for future growth and industry evolutions
About Fairview Pharmacy Services
Fairview Pharmacy Services is one of the nation’s leading health system–based pharmacies, offering retail, specialty, home infusion, and mail service. With more than 30 locations —including oncology, infusion, and a
dedicated hemophilia pharmacy within the University Hemophilia Treatment Center—Fairview Pharmacy Services supports patients with complex conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV, and hemophilia. For more than 30 years, Fairview has also been a national leader in pharmacy operations and innovation. In 2024, it launched Fairview Pharmacy Solutions, a platform that provides pharmacy business support services and consulting to other large health systems nationwide.
###
Date: Sept. 24, 2025
For release: Immediately
Contact: Jill Fischer, jill.fischer@fairview.org, 320-237-7774
