The Independent Pharmacy Alliance Podcast

Congressman Jake Auchincloss on the Bills That Are and Aren't Passing Congress

Representing Massachusetts's 4th District, we are joined by Representative Jake Auchincloss this week. We discuss recent bills killed on the House floor, bills he is looking to introduce that will help independent pharmacists, and what issues have bi-partisan support, even in this highly politicized environment. 

Game-Changer for Independent Pharmacies

A new PBM Law has gone into effect that could change the industry and New Jersey is spearheading the effort. This could change how Independent Pharmacists get paid nationwide if we do our part.  So what do we need to do? Laurie Clark joins the podcast this week to explain.

The Lame Duck Congress and Passing PBM Reform

The Lame Duck session of Congress has begun. It is less than a month until all business in Washington, D.C. ends and the new administration begins. This means there is only a limited time left to pass legislation that would help independent pharmacists, such as the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act and the Pharmacists Fight Back Act. This week, Anthony discusses tangible actions you can take to help get these laws passed and why that not only helps you, the business owner, but you, the everyday taxpayer, your family, friends, and customers. 

Moderna CEO Joins to Talk Independent Pharmacies' Part in Vaccination

This week Anthony is joined by a special guest Stéphane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna Therapeutics. They discuss independent pharmacies' role in the vaccination effort and touch on Moderna's current innovations. Stéphane also offers business tips to independent pharmacy owners across the nation.

Axe RX - A Discount Card That Can Help Make You Money

Many discount card programs are scams.  Independent pharmacists can get burned when patients use these cards because they lose money. Al Branca works with Axe Rx and says that this program is different. This week Anthony talks with Al and he explains what makes Axe Rx different, how it can help you avoid audits, and why it's worth at least trying. 

Protests at Express Scripts and the Woman Who Led Them

Loretta Boesing's son, a transplant survivor reliant on medication every 12 hours, faced a scary situation with a mail-order pharmacy, an experience that could have been fatal. Determined not to be defeated, Loretta mobilized dozens of protestors outside Express Scripts and planned to confront other PBMs that mandate mail-order systems. This week, Anthony discussed with Loretta the critical role of independent pharmacies in her son's health, her organization, Unite for Safe Medication, aims to support these pharmacies and learn how you can contribute to her cause.

Anthony went to Washington. Has the PBM reform package been revived?

In the Mr. Smith sequel no one expected, Anthony, just came back from the National Community Pharmacists Association Government Affairs Conference in D.C. and has news about the PBM Package. This week he shares what was learned at the conference, and what legislators are saying behind closed doors.  And how you can help get this package approved before the 2024 election.

Mark Cuban, Data Hacks, and How To Protect Yourself

A lot of news came out in the pharmacy industry recently.  Mark Cuban was at a White House round table speaking his truth about PBMs, and then there was the data hack of Change Healthcare affecting thousands of people, which led us to discuss best practices when protecting the data for your small business.

Retail Pharmacy Trends Heading Into 2024

2024 could be a crazy year for the independent pharmacist. While we are optimistic about new legislation that could help the fight against PBMs we are also looking at rising labor challenges. With so many big retailers shutting their doors can we take advantage? This week Anthony looks at the biggest trends in retail pharmacy at the beginning of the new year. 

Is Biden’s Limit on PBMs Backfiring?

There was an article put out by CBS News that caught our eye with the same headline as the podcast. It speaks to The Biden administration's first major step toward imposing limits on the pharmacy benefit managers and how some pharmacists say it's adding to the woes of the independent drugstores it was partly designed to help. So, is it? This week Anthony speaks to the article, whether it's a salacious headline, and what independent pharmacists can do, instead of panicking.