Pharmacy Podcast Network

Discover how Mike Carugan, partner in a five-store New York pharmacy chain, is keeping his large front-end pharmacies profitable and growing.In this episode, Mike shares:How Instacart has become a powerful tool for competing online and reaching new customersSmart front-end strategies that keep sales strongHow a long-standing partnership with the owner of Columbia SkinCare turned into a unique differentiator, expanded community outreach, and created high-margin cross-merchandising opportunitiesIf you want practical, real-world insights from someone who is winning the daily battle of independent retail pharmacy, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

The final part of our 3 part series exploring the PrimeRx User Conference 2025

We Give Thanks to You in Pharmacy | TWIRx 
Welcome to This Week in Pharmacy for November 28th!We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and as we roll into Black Friday, we want to take a moment to express something truly important: our gratitude.
At the Pharmacy Podcast Network, we are incredibly thankful for the pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy teams who show up every day for their communities. You are the medication experts, the problem-solvers, the late-night troubleshooters, the vaccine champions, the trusted faces behind the counter, and the advocates who keep patient care moving—often without enough recognition.
To every pharmacist and pharmacy technician working long hours, covering holiday shifts, managing medication shortages, answering tough questions, and supporting patients with compassion: Thank you. Your commitment keeps the healthcare system steady, especially during the busiest times of the year.
From all of us at the Pharmacy Podcast Network, we appreciate you, we support you, and we’re honored to share your stories.
Happy Thanksgiving—and welcome to This Week in Pharmacy.
TWIRx NewsNovember 28, 2025 Pharmacy Times  Fun Fact: Coffee Could Reduce Feelings of Depressionhttps://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fun-fact-coffee-could-reduce-feelings-of-depression
Saving Advice article “Unmask The Lie: The Reason Your Local Pharmacy Always Runs Out Of Meds”https://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2025/11/28/10442667_unmask-the-lie-the-reason-your-local-pharmacy-always-runs-out-of-meds.html Could dedicated pharmacists help improve neonatal care’s medicines safety problem?https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/feature/could-dedicated-pharmacists-help-improve-neonatal-cares-medicines-safety-problem 
 
On Today's "This Week in Pharmacy" we're welcoming back Pharmacist and Kelli Stovall, RPh EMBA, Vice President of Pharmacy Services and Clinical Programs with IPC. Kelli and I talk about preparing for a more profitable 2026 with several ideas to build new non-PBM revenues with patient services needed throughout communities threatened by 'pharmacy deserts'. Next, a special feature interview with Myra Ahmad, MD. CEO & Founder of Mochi Health.Mochi Health is a telehealth company offering comprehensive virtual obesity and weight-management services. Through its platform, patients connect with board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered dietitians to receive personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique body, lifestyle, and health goals. Mochi Health emphasizes that weight is not a moral failing, but a complex health issue — and their care is non-judgmental and supportive. Clients can access evidence-based medication options (including GLP-1 receptor agonists), nutrition guidance, and ongoing support — often virtually from home. 
The company aims to make obesity care more accessible, affordable, and personalized than traditional in-person clinics. 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT on "This Week in Pharmacy" November 28th 2025, the Legacy Pharmacy Group (LPG) has announced that CEO Ritesh Shah, RPh has been appointed to Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill’s Transition Task Force in New Jersey. This appointment highlights Shah’s longstanding leadership in independent pharmacy and his commitment to strengthening community-based healthcare across the state.
Shah will focus on advocating for independent pharmacies, improving transparency in Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) operations, and promoting policies that ensure community pharmacies remain viable, accessible healthcare resources. His priorities on the task force include:
Protecting and strengthening independent pharmacies statewide
Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in PBM practices
Expanding access and reducing barriers to care, particularly for underserved populations
Legacy Pharmacy Group Founder and Pharmacist, Jay Dhaduk, emphasized the importance of having informed pharmacy leadership at the policy level and celebrated Shah’s appointment as critical to the long-term sustainability of independent pharmacies.
The release also highlights LPG’s role as the tri-state area’s largest group purchasing organization, supporting more than 720 independent pharmacy members with programs, services, and advocacy to help them thrive.
 
Thank you to IPC and YARAL Pharma for sponsoring today's TWIRx 

In this episode of MaternalRx, Dr. Elif Polat, MD, researcher, endometriosis advocate, and Turkey representative for Worldwide EndoMarch, joins Dr. Danielle Plummer to discuss the often misunderstood and deeply complex condition of endometriosis.Dr. Polat unpacks what endometriosis truly is, explaining how it’s both an inflammatory and hormone-dependent disease that can affect any organ in the body, even beyond the reproductive system. She reveals why diagnosis can take up to ten years, why standard tests often miss it, and how its symptoms can extend far beyond pelvic pain, sometimes presenting in surprising ways.The conversation dives into how endometriosis impacts fertility, pregnancy, and the risk of ectopic pregnancy, and clarifies when tools like hysteroscopy may be appropriate. Dr. Polat also dispels common myths, such as the belief that pregnancy or hysterectomy can cure the disease, and emphasizes the importance of continued research and advocacy.Listeners will gain insight into how endometriosis affects not only patients but their families and communities, and how global initiatives like Worldwide EndoMarch (@endomarch) are driving awareness and change.Stay through the end for Dr. Plummer’s “Final Thoughts,” where she reflects on how pharmacists can better support patients through empathy, education, and collaboration.Connect with Dr. Elif Polat:www.linkedin.com/in/elif-polat-md-a20a0b18b/Connect with WorldWide EndoMarchInstagram: @wwendomarchhttps://endomarch.org/Connect with Dr. Plummer:www.linkedin.com/in/daniellerplummer/
 

In this episode of Pharmacist-Prescribed, hosts Mary Kucek and Devin Bustin, MD, explore the mission behind PRISM and the urgent need for pharmacist-led clinical services. They discuss the growing gaps in healthcare access, the underutilization of pharmacists as providers, and how technology can safely enable care right inside community pharmacies.Learn more or request a demo at getprismrx.com.

Tune in as Jon Grice, Steve Maki, Emily Byrne, and Austin Wang share their experiences with Outcomes—along with personal stories about what inspired them to enter the pharmacy field and why they’re passionate about the profession.

Special Guest: Ilisa B.G. Bernstein, PharmD, JD
CEO & Co-founder Johny Kello | MatchRXTopic: DSCSA Compliance, Industry Readiness & the Future of Pharmacy Safety
Episode Overview
This week on TWIRx, Johny Kello welcomes one of the 50 Most Influential People in Pharmacy, Ilisa B.G. Bernstein, PharmD, JD, to break down the current state of DSCSA compliance as the industry approaches the critical November 2025 enforcement deadline. With decades of leadership in pharmacy practice, regulatory policy, and national advocacy, Dr. Bernstein brings unmatched clarity to what pharmacies must do now — and how the right technology partnerships can keep them operational, efficient, and fully compliant.
Together, Johny and Dr. Bernstein discuss why DSCSA readiness remains one of the most pressing challenges for independent and community pharmacies — from data verification and product tracing to avoiding shipment rejections, workflow disruptions, and audit exposure.Johny Kello LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johny-kello/ Ilisa B.G. Bernstein, PharmD, JD LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilisa-bernstein-b67222174/Learn more: https://www.matchrx.com/Featured guest:Dr. Jordyn Nordé, PharmD, MBA, is a forward-thinking clinical pharmacist and community leader based in St. Louis who combines advanced clinical training with business acumen to drive impact in underserved populations. With experience in ambulatory care and medication management for conditions like hypertension, diabetes and pain, she is also the founder of an initiative bringing minority pharmacy professionals together through mentorship, entrepreneurship and wellness conversations. Her dual credentials enable her to bridge healthcare, professional development and advocacy — positioning her as an emerging influencer in pharmacy practice transformation.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynnorde/

In this edition of Essential, we’ve got updates on some big compounding news — like the FDA’s long-overdue decision to remove the boxed warning from some menopause hormone-replacement therapy drugs. (And yes, that’s important for compounding pharmacists!)We also look at the hubbub at FDA over what (allegedly) was behind the decision that would have effectively banned compounding with desiccated thyroid extract, plus some stories from the states, and more.This month’s deep dive: Mythbusting, compounded-GLP-1 style! What have the big drugmakers been saying, and how much of it is true? They’re spreading stories, but our experts put them to the test. Don’t miss out!LinksJoin APC today: https://a4pc.org/membership FDA to remove boxed warning from HRT medications: https://archive.ph/R8DJD An example of what appears to be an op-ed pushed by a pharma company. The writer, a “former healthcare professional,”doesn’t appear to exist: https://archive.ph/OPNWr Find a legitimate, licensed compounding pharmacy: https://a4pc.org/isitlegit Benefits of becoming an APC PFM: https://a4pc.org/pfm 

In this episode of the NASP Podcast, Sheila Arquette, President & CEO of NASP, speaks with Matthew G. Bowles, PharmD, MBA, CSP, Pharmacy Clinical Team Lead with Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy, Vanderbilt Health, and lead author on the study “Getting to specialty treatment in dermatologic inflammatory conditions: Treatment requirements and patient journey,” published February 2025 in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy. They discuss the reasons for conducting and results of the study, as well as the impacts the study may have on specialty and managed care pharmacy.

In this episode of Tech Trends by PrimeRx, we continue our deep dive into the evolving world of pharmacy technology. Building on the momentum from our previous discussion—where we explored the shifting landscape of pharmacy tech innovation—we now turn our focus to one of the most urgent challenges facing independent and community pharmacies: making sense of inventory and purchase data. Dr. Matthew Song joins us to break down why automation is no longer optional and how data intelligence is transforming pharmacy operations. With rising costs, shrinking margins, and increasing administrative demands, the ability to automate and optimize data workflows is becoming a competitive advantage.
Dr. Song sets the stage by examining how automated systems offer unprecedented visibility into a pharmacy’s financial and clinical activity. Today’s modern PMS platforms, including PrimeRx, go far beyond dispensing—they automatically collect, analyze, and interpret operational data. Throughout the episode, we’ll uncover how automation identifies top payers, high-impact drugs, key prescribers, patient adherence trends, and more. These insights help pharmacy leaders make informed decisions around purchasing, contracting, staffing, and patient care.
Listeners will also gain actionable takeaways tied directly to real-time metrics, including dashboards that connect inventory fluctuations to financial performance. Dr. Song explains how automation eliminates manual entry errors, accelerates purchasing decisions, and helps pharmacies avoid costly stockouts or overstocking. From surfacing seasonal medication trends to pinpointing high-volume PBMs or top-referring providers, this episode demonstrates the power of transforming raw data into strategic intelligence. Stay tuned through the end as we tease what’s next on the horizon—AI-driven predictive inventory management and the next evolution in pharmacy automation.

Welcome to the Pharmacy Podcast Network's coverage of the NCPA 2025 Post Show! The NCPA annual conference is the trailblazer for community pharmacy, bringing together the pharmacy community. Our host Todd Eury, founder and CEO of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, took the microphone to the action right on the show floor capturing exclusive conversations with attendees, pharmacy students, keynote speakers, vendors, and more! 
Thank you YARAL Pharma for sponsoring this coverage of the NCPA Post Show! 
Visit https://yaralpharma.com/

In this episode of The Pediatric Pharmacist Review, we explore the phenomenon of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and its relevance to children, adolescents, and families. Our guest, Tim Horton, is a seasoned psychiatric nurse‑practitioner (APRN, CNP) and founder of PeopleFirst Clinic in Woodbury, Minnesota, where he specializes in holistic, medication‑management and therapy‑integrated care for youth and adults. With his unique background in pediatric mental health, patient‑centered approaches, and collaborative provider work, Tim brings deep insight into how biological and environmental factors converge in seasonal depression—and what practical actions caregivers and clinicians can take to mitigate its impact.Key Discussion Points:Biological & Environmental Contributors: We unpack how changes in daylight exposure, circadian rhythm shifts, neurotransmitter variations (serotonin, melatonin), and geographic/seasonal factors contribute to SAD in children and teens.Lifestyle & Environmental Interventions: Tim and I discuss actionable strategies such as structured light‑exposure (dawn simulators, 10,000 lux boxes), daily outdoor activity, consistent sleep schedules, and nutritional supports (timing of meals, nutrient‑dense foods, healthy fats) to reduce symptom severity.Treatment Options & Efficacy: We review standard of care for SAD—starting with behavioral and lifestyle measures, then progressing to light therapy and pharmacologic treatment (SSRIs, SNRIs, augmentation) when needed, including considerations unique to pediatric populations.Vitamin D and Seasonal Depression: We examine the evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with increased SAD risk, discuss screening thresholds in younger patients, supplementation strategies, and how this fits into a broader preventive mindset.Preventive Measures Ahead of Winter: Tim outlines a pre‑winter readiness plan—adjusting indoor lighting, optimizing outdoor daylight exposure, establishing routine exercise, reinforcing healthy diet patterns, and monitoring early warning signs for a proactive response.Misconceptions and Under‑Recognition: We address common myths—such as SAD only occurring in extreme northern latitudes, or that “it’s just the blues” and will self‑resolve—highlighting how under‑recognition in pediatric settings can delay helpful intervention.Resources & Links:Tim Horton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-horton-248858359/PeopleFirst Clinic: https://www.peoplefirstmn.com/

Special Feature: 
 
Andrew Crawford, Vice President at Keysource talks with TWIRx host Todd Eury about the direct to patient market (Direct to Consumer, DTC) expected to hit $21 billion this year. Pharmacy is evolving fast. When DTC brands move in, pharmacies have a choice...compete or collaborate. Some manufacturers are selling directly to patients at discounted cash prices and cutting out traditional intermediaries. The model is projected to grow 9% a year through 2030, with pharma support services expected to nearly double from $3.2B to $5.7B by 2030. 
Driven by cost pressure and new legislation, manufacturers are moving quickly. It is creating more transparency but patients still need guidance, trust, and human care. Pharmacy is being redefined as the bridge that keeps care personal, safe, and local. It is not being replaced, but what will it look like in 10 years?
TWIRx News: 
 
Pharmacy student shot, killed by friend who became paranoid after they smoked pot together, documents say - from WMTV/Gray News 
https://www.wowt.com/2025/11/11/pharmacy-student-shot-killed-by-friend-who-became-paranoid-after-they-smoked-pot-together-documents-say/ 
Why Guardian Pharmacy Services Stock Was on a Tear Tuesday - by Motley Fool / Yahoo Finance 
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-guardian-pharmacy-services-stock-202435130.html
Metformin May Diminish the Cardiometabolic Benefits of Exercise
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/metformin-may-diminish-the-cardiometabolic-benefits-of-exerciseToday's TWIRx is sponsored by YARAL Pharma & SureCost  

We hear from Ketan Mehta, CEO of PrimeRx.

Dr. Robert Popovian is a pharmacist, and economist with a deep background in research and public policy. In this episode we have a nuanced discussion on policy impacting pharmacy including PBMs, President Trumps Most Favored Nation Executive Order, Rebates, and insurance premiums.   Links to resources referenced in discussion:• Pioneer Institute, 340B tool: https://pioneerinstitute.org/340babuse/• Pioneer Institute, IRA tool: https://pioneerinstitute.org/the-inflation-reduction-act-ira-overview/• Editorial regarding TrumpRX: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/promise-trumprx-robert-popovian-vskne/?trackingId=dtiG1P%2B%2BSDq6adLfFeEbeg%3D%3D• Pioneer Institute, IRA report: https://pioneerinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/Prescription-Drug-Price-Controls-06252025.pdf • GHLF tool, Impact of Accumulators and Maximizers on Premiums: https://cutt.ly/Rr9Di7Vf• Conquest Advisors website: https://conquestadvisors.godaddysites.com/

 
In this episode, host Todd Eury sits down with Terry Dean and Amanda Malooley to explore the growing importance of business intelligence in long-term care pharmacy. Together, they discuss the challenges pharmacies face in accessing and interpreting data, why real-time insight is becoming mission-critical, and how smarter visibility leads to better operational and clinical outcomes. The conversation then traces the journey behind FrameworkInsight—how it was envisioned, built, and continues to evolve to support pharmacy leaders in making informed, confident decisions.

Marketing Vitals host, Kelly Baily, is joined by Brian Prigge, President, CTO and Founder of GRX Marketing’s newest partner – Scriptly!  Learn more about this all-in-one, cloud-based, web-based pharmacy management system and see how your pharmacy can cut costs, streamline operations, and improve efficiency without sacrificing care. Visit scriptly.tech to learn more and schedule a free demo.

Welcome to the Pharmacy Podcast Network's coverage of the NCPA 2025 Post Show! The NCPA annual conference is the trailblazer for community pharmacy, bringing together the pharmacy community. Our host Todd Eury, founder and CEO of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, took the microphone to the action right on the show floor capturing exclusive conversations with attendees, pharmacy students, keynote speakers, vendors, and more! 
Thank you RealValueRx for sponsoring this episode!
realvaluerx.com
 
In this episode:
JD Collier - RealValueRx 
Rachel Matz - DocStation
Johny Kello - MatchRx
John DeJames 
Stephanie Zimmerman - Real Value Rx; Jay Phipps
Brad Gallagher - Barclay Damon LLP
Scotty Sikes - Sikes and Co
David Kirkus - PrimeRx
Evan Walker - P3 Pharmacy Student

This Week in Pharmacy - November 7, 2025
TWIRx News: First up, Binghamton University School of Pharmacy holds emergency management simulation, VCU Health pharmacies expand access through new home delivery options, and Lilly and U.S. government agree to expand access to obesity medicines to millions of Americans. 
Our special guest line up on TWIRx:  
Amantha Bagdon - CEO of RxPost 
PGX Pharmacist's Protection of Patients with Dr. Melissa Smith PharmD
Arkansas HB 1150 TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FROM OBTAINING CERTAIN PHARMACY PERMITS. with John Vinson CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacy Association & Greg Reybold with APCI 
4th Generation Pharmacy Owner C.O. Bigelow (the oldest Apothecary in America) the Drugstore Cowboy, Alec Gingsberg PharmD
Thank you toour sponsors: 
Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)
Yaral Pharma 
SureCost
The Drugstore Cowboy Rides Again: PBM Reform in Arkansas & PGx Safeguards for Xeloda Patients | TWIRx
 

On this episode of MaternalRx on the Pharmacy Podcast Network, host Dr. Danielle Raiman Plummer, PharmD, consulting pharmacist, sits down with Mary Kucek, PMP, and Dr. Devin Bustin, MD, co-founders of OvaryIt, creators of the PRISM EHR platform and the OvaryIt Foundation for survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking.Mary shares her powerful and life-threatening experience with a telemedicine platform that failed to follow contraceptive safety guidelines, an event that changed the course of her career and mission. Together, Mary and Dr. Bustin explain how their NIH-funded research led to the creation of OvaryIt and PRISM: an innovative, pharmacist-centered platform that bridges the safety of in-person care with the accessibility of telehealth.Tune in to hear how retail pharmacists can now lead the next evolution in family planning access, overcoming the barriers to scaling these services, and how technology and policy can empower safer, more equitable reproductive care for all.“Prism will help retail pharmacies become public health access points for central health services.” 💡 Stay Connected & Take Action!- Follow OvaryIt on all social platforms to stay updated on their mission to expand safe, pharmacist-led access to reproductive care.- For Patients: Learn more or find care at MyPrismHealth.com.- For Pharmacists, Pharmacy Owners, and Staff: Discover how to bring contraceptive care to your community with GetPrismRx.com.- Explore Free Education & Advocacy: Visit OvaryFund.org — the OvaryIt Foundation supporting survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking through education and access.- Advocate for Change: Contact your local representatives to support the ECAPS Act, which recognizes pharmacists as healthcare providers under Medicare Part B and helps expand access to essential reproductive health services.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice.🎧 Listen now to MaternalRx, redefining maternal health, from preconception through postpartum.