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  • Pharmacists and Advocacy for Patients in Pain | TWIRx

    Pharmacists and Advocacy for Patients in Pain | TWIRx
    2026/08/21
    Pharmacists and Advocacy for Patients in Pain Friday, August 21, 2026 What happens when patients living with chronic pain, their advocates, and the pharmacists responsible for dispensing opioid medications view the same healthcare system from very different perspectives? This special episode of This Week in Pharmacy brings together the Doctor Patient Forum’s founders, Claudia A. Merandi and Bev C. Schechtman, with pharmacist and nationally recognized pharmacy advocate Dr. Shane Jerominski, PharmD—better known as “The Accidental Pharmacist.” The discussion follows a wave of social-media debate surrounding Claudia’s use of the term “Harmacists,” which prompted responses from hundreds of pharmacists who felt the label misrepresented their professional responsibilities and the legal restrictions under which they practice. Rather than allow that controversy to deepen the divide, TWIRx created an opportunity for direct, respectful conversation. The purpose of this episode is to help pain-patient advocates better understand the limits pharmacists face when dispensing opioids—and to identify opportunities for pharmacists and patient organizations to advocate together for safe, compassionate and uninterrupted pain care. Five Legal and Supply-Chain Realities Affecting Opioid Dispensing Pharmacists have a federal “corresponding responsibility.” Under 21 CFR §1306.04, a controlled-substance prescription must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose. Pharmacists share legal responsibility with prescribers for determining whether a prescription is valid. Knowingly filling an illegitimate prescription may expose the pharmacist to federal penalties and professional discipline. Review the federal regulation.Schedule II prescriptions must satisfy strict requirements. Federal law generally requires a valid written or compliant electronic prescription before a Schedule II opioid may be dispensed. Emergency oral prescriptions are permitted only under limited conditions and require prescriber follow-up documentation.Schedule II opioid prescriptions cannot be refilled. Under federal law, every additional dispensing generally requires a new prescription. Partial fills are allowed only under specific circumstances, documentation requirements and time limits. Pharmacists cannot simply extend or refill opioid therapy when a patient or prescriber requests it.State laws add another layer of requirements. Depending on the state, pharmacists may have to verify prescriber authority, review prescription-monitoring information, validate electronic or security-form requirements, confirm identification, document partial fills, or comply with state-specific dispensing limitations. For example, California requires controlled-substance prescriptions to meet defined security and validity standards. California Board of Pharmacy guidance.Wholesaler monitoring can restrict a pharmacy’s opioid supply. DEA-registered distributors must identify and report suspicious controlled-substance orders under 21 CFR §1301.74. National wholesalers therefore operate monitoring programs that may delay, limit or suspend shipments based on ordering patterns, geography, drug mix and internal thresholds. These controls are imposed upstream and can leave a pharmacy unable to obtain medication—even when the pharmacist believes a prescription is clinically and legally appropriate. Review the federal distributor requirements. These examples are not exhaustive. Pharmacists must navigate overlapping federal law, DEA requirements, state pharmacy and controlled-substance laws, prescription-monitoring systems, employer policies, payer rules, wholesaler restrictions and professional standards. Requirements also vary by state and by the circumstances surrounding an individual prescription. The Central Question How can pain-patient advocates and pharmacists move beyond blame and work together to address the policies, supply restrictions, staffing conditions and regulatory pressures that can interfere with appropriate care? This conversation explores: Why patients may interpret a refusal or delay as judgment, discrimination or abandonmentWhy pharmacists cannot treat a valid prescriber signature as automatic authorization to dispenseHow PDMP and risk-scoring information can influence clinical decisionsThe effect of corporate policies and wholesaler ordering controlsThe difference between professional judgment and stigmaThe communication failures that damage trust between patients, prescribers and pharmacistsHow advocacy organizations and pharmacists can pursue policy reform togetherWhy patients deserve clear explanations, respectful treatment and continuity-of-care planningHow pharmacists can remain vigilant without losing empathy for people living with pain About the Doctor Patient Forum The Doctor Patient Forum, founded by Claudia A. Merandi and Bev C. Schechtman, combines healthcare education, research, digital influence and patient ...
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    1 時間 10 分
  • Are You Covered? A Liability Insurance Primer for Compounders | Essential: The Pharmacy Compounding Podcast

    Are You Covered? A Liability Insurance Primer for Compounders | Essential: The Pharmacy Compounding Podcast
    2026/08/21

    This episode looks at some smart ways to regulate pharmacy when it comes to med spas and pop-up clinics — ways that won’t cut patients off from their meds. We also look at the latest news on the thyroid-extract front, what’s happening with peptide compounding, and a bill in California that could bode well for pharmacists nationwide. Then we talk with Kristen Jones, PharmD, from Pharmacists Mutual about how insurance companies view compounding, and why compounders are taking a bigger risk than they might realize if they’re compounding peptides. Pharmacists Mutual: https://pmuw.com Join APC: a4pc.org/join Stay up to date on these topics and more at: a4pc.org/news
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    31 分
  • 2026 Cencora ThoughtSpot Rewind | Part Two

    2026 Cencora ThoughtSpot Rewind | Part Two
    2026/08/20

    Welcome to the 2026 Cencora ThoughtSpot Rewind, sponsored by Outcomes!

    In this special 4-part series we get a deep look into the event that took place this year in Orlando Florida. The Pharmacy Podcast Network was embedded into the Outcomes booth where we caught all the action on the show room floor. To learn more about what Outcomes is doing for pharmacies, visit https://www.outcomes.com/

    In this episode hosted by Todd Eury, Founder and CEO of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, we hear from:

    Scott Lake - Rx.co

    Kaley Lester - Outcomes

    Nicholas Turos - Cencora

    Janet Parrish - Adair Drug; Colombia, KY

    Kaushal Patel - Apollo Pharmacy; Savannah, GA

    Bianca Bradshaw - Elmore Pharmacy; Red Bluff, CA

    Zackary Levine - Cencora
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    39 分
  • Maximizing What You Have – Proven Strategies to Boost Revenue from Current Patients | Marketing Vitals

    Maximizing What You Have – Proven Strategies to Boost Revenue from Current Patients | Marketing Vitals
    2026/08/18

    Growing your pharmacy doesn't always mean finding new patients. It can also mean making the most of the ones you already serve. In this episode, we're joined by our partners AxeRx and Scriptly to share proven strategies for increasing revenue through stronger patient engagement, expanded services, and smarter use of technology to streamline workflows and free up valuable staff time. Tune in for practical insights you can start putting into action today.
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    24 分
  • TRICARE and the Fight for Military Pharmacy Access | PBM Reform with APCI

    TRICARE and the Fight for Military Pharmacy Access | PBM Reform with APCI
    2026/08/17

    The PBM Reform Podcast, sponsored by APCI, welcomes John Vinson, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, for a timely conversation with host Greg Reybold about the management of the TRICARE pharmacy benefit.

    Express Scripts administers pharmacy benefits for TRICARE, the Department of Defense healthcare program serving more than 9 million active-duty service members, military retirees, and family members. In fiscal year 2023 alone, TRICARE spent more than $8 billion on prescription medications.

    Greg and John examine concerns surrounding Express Scripts’ administration of the program, including shrinking pharmacy networks, reduced patient choice, questionable contractor reporting, specialty-drug delivery oversight, and the consequences for independent and rural pharmacies.

    A 2025 Government Accountability Office investigation found that:

    • TRICARE’s minimum network requirement fell from 50,000 to 35,000 pharmacies.
    • The network had approximately 13,165 fewer pharmacies in late 2024 than in late 2022.
    • An estimated 380,000 beneficiaries may have been forced to find another pharmacy.
    • The Defense Health Agency relied heavily on contractor-submitted reports that contained inaccuracies.
    • DHA had not consistently audited the data used to evaluate beneficiary access.
    • GAO’s two corrective recommendations remain open as of August 2026, although DHA has begun adding reporting and auditing requirements.

    The episode also addresses higher 2026 prescription copayments. For most non-active-duty beneficiaries, home-delivery copays are now $14 for generic formulary drugs, $44 for brand-name drugs, and $85 for non-formulary medications. At retail network pharmacies, the corresponding 30-day copays are $16, $48, and $85.

    Greg and John discuss whether PBM-driven network reductions represent true savings—or simply transfer costs, inconvenience, and access barriers to military families and the community pharmacies serving them.

    Key discussion points
    • Express Scripts’ role in administering the TRICARE pharmacy benefit
    • Pharmacy network contraction and beneficiary disruption
    • Access challenges facing rural communities and military families
    • Inaccurate contractor data and insufficient federal oversight
    • Specialty-pharmacy delivery and monitoring concerns
    • Rising 2026 copayments and pressure toward mail order
    • Arkansas’ leadership in challenging PBM vertical integration
    • The need for transparency, accountability, adequate reimbursement, and patient choice

    Important clarification: TRICARE is administered by the Department of Defense and is distinct from healthcare and pharmacy services operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Sponsored by APCI — American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc.

    Sources: U.S. Government Accountability Office, TRICARE’s 2026 pharmacy-benefit update, official 2026–2027 pharmacy costs.
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    53 分
  • The Value of a Trusted Wholesaler & Cole’s Act Update | TWIRx

    The Value of a Trusted Wholesaler & Cole’s Act Update | TWIRx
    2026/08/14

    Independent pharmacies need partners they can trust—and patients need a prescription-drug system that puts access ahead of profits.

    In this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, Todd Eury welcomes Rick Seipp, PharmD, President of Value Drug Company, to discuss the importance of choosing a dependable wholesale distribution partner. Following Smith Drug Company’s announced operational transition, Value Drug Company is prepared to help affected independent pharmacy owners evaluate their purchasing, distribution and operational needs while developing an orderly transition that protects continuity of service.

    For more than 90 years, pharmacist-led Value Drug Company has supported community pharmacies through transparent pricing, dependable distribution, collective purchasing power and programs designed to improve efficiency, growth and profitability. Rick explains how the company will provide transition assistance and regional gatherings where pharmacy owners can speak directly with Value Drug Company leadership.

    The episode also features a follow-up conversation with patient advocate Bil Schmidtknecht about the continuing fight for Cole’s Act. Named in memory of Bil’s son, Cole, the proposed reforms seek to protect patients from unexpected formulary and coverage changes that can suddenly make essential medications unaffordable.

    “Patients can’t afford more delays, and lives should never be collateral damage in a profit-driven system,” Bil says. The discussion examines PBM accountability, medication affordability and why families must receive meaningful notice before coverage changes place lifesaving treatments beyond their reach.

    TWIRx News: Week Ending August 14, 2026 Employers Are Moving Away from the “Big Three” PBMs

    A new employer survey points to growing disruption in the PBM marketplace. Forty-six percent of surveyed employers reported using a PBM outside CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx—up from 37% the previous year. Employers are increasingly seeking transparent pricing, access to claims data and greater control over prescription-drug spending.

    Read the Axios report

    FDA Delays Major iPLEDGE Changes Until November

    The FDA has postponed implementation of updated iPLEDGE REMS requirements from August 8 to November 15, 2026, to allow additional system testing. The forthcoming changes are intended to reduce burdens on patients, pharmacists and prescribers while maintaining safeguards surrounding isotretinoin.

    Read the FDA iPLEDGE update

    Episode Resources
    • Value Drug Company transition-support announcement
    • Value Drug Company transition assistance: 1-866-226-1772
    • Patient Protector
    • Modern Medical Mafia: PBM Reform
    • Pharmacy Podcast Network
    About the Guests

    Rick Seipp, PharmD President, Value Drug Company

    Bil Schmidtknecht Patient advocate and father of Cole Schmidtknecht
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    34 分
  • 2026 Cencora ThoughtSpot Rewind | Part One

    2026 Cencora ThoughtSpot Rewind | Part One
    2026/08/13

    Welcome to the 2026 Cencora ThoughtSpot Rewind, sponsored by Outcomes!

    In this special 4-part series we get a deep look into the event that took place this year in Orlando Florida. The Pharmacy Podcast Network was embedded into the Outcomes booth where we caught all the action on the show room floor. To learn more about what Outcomes is doing for pharmacies, visit https://www.outcomes.com/

    In this episode hosted by Todd Eury, Founder and CEO of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, we hear from:

    Ross Frei - Outcomes

    Ana Jimenez - Farmacia Las Americas, West Palm Beach, FL

    Todd Pendergraft - Broken Arrow Family Drug APA, Broken Arrow, OK

    Justin Erro - Medzoomer

    Nick DeSouza - Outcomes

    Jevic Dunn - Outcomes
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    39 分
  • Part One: Introducing the CurifyLabs Platform | TWIRx Special Series

    Part One: Introducing the CurifyLabs Platform | TWIRx Special Series
    2026/08/12

    In the first episode of this three-part CurifyLabs Podcast Series, we provide a broad overview of the CurifyLabs platform and its role in modernizing personalized medicine and pharmaceutical compounding. The discussion explores how the platform combines digital workflows, automated production technology, and standardized processes to help pharmacies and healthcare organizations improve efficiency, consistency, quality, and scalability.

    Listeners will learn how CurifyLabs supports the preparation of customized medications while helping pharmacy teams reduce manual complexity, strengthen documentation, and expand access to patient-specific therapies. This opening episode establishes the foundation for the series and examines how technology can help transform the future of pharmaceutical compounding.
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    34 分