The Independent Pharmacy Alliance Podcast

Big Drug Price Changes and the Best Disney Rides

It's a mailbag episode. This week we talk about a slew of different topics including the most important PBM-related news in 2023, how the new debt limit deal affects independent pharmacists, and the best rides in Disney World. 

Fly-Ins, DIR Hangovers, and Two Big PBM Reform Bills

Ever go a little too crazy the night before and feel terrible the next day? For an independent pharmacist, I promise a DIR Hangover is way worse. This week we spoke with two members of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Anne Cassity, and the Senior Vice President of Policy Pharmacy Affairs, Ronna Hauser about being in D.C., two big PBM Reform Bills, the Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, and they tell us what exactly a 'DIR Hangover' is. 

PBM Oversight and Medicaid Fee-for-service in New York with Thomas D’Angelo

Medicaid Fee-for-service is scheduled for implementation on April 1, 2023. This means all prescriptions the New York Medicaid program pays for will be done without PBMs. This week we are joined by the former Chairman of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, Thomas D'Angelo to talk about how this happened, what work still needs to be done, and how you can help. 

A Pharmacist On The Inside - A Conversation with Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger

It's a new year, and with it comes a new Congress, and an increased focus on pharmacy benefit managers and the role they play in setting drug prices. This week we speak to Tennessee Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, a licensed pharmacist, and successful business owner, about a bill she helped introduce to make PBM reform recommendations, what the FTC is doing to help, and the chances we see some real action on PBM Reform in 2023.

The Legislative Battle For Long-Term Care Pharmacies with Michelle Templin

Long-Term Care Pharmacies play a vital role in communities across the country, yet no federal definition exists. However, that could all change. This week we talk to Michelle Templin, the Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs at Managed HealthCare Associates about the new laws being discussed and how the new rules are affecting pharmacies everywhere. 

Pharmacy Giving Back Overseas and What We Can Learn

At the core of independent pharmacy is the desire to help the community, this week we talk to Darren Schaupp, the Co-Founder, and CEO at SiteLabs, who went above and beyond by working in community development and on tropical diseases in Africa for over two decades. He tells us about his experience and what that taught him while trying to stop the spread of diseases like COVID-19 at home

What Can The Pharmacy Benefits Bureau Do For You with Eamon Rock

New York just created the first-in-the-nation Pharmacy Benefits Bureau which will provide much-needed oversight to Pharmacy Benefit Managers. This week we are joined by the Deputy Superintendent for Pharmacy Benefits, Eamon Rock, to discuss this landmark regulatory body, its role in the supply chain, and how they plan to help with patient steering. 

Shady Pricing Issues By PBMs with Robert Popovian

Americans pay some of the highest prescription drug prices in the world. This week we are joined by Robert Popovian, a clinical pharmacist with expertise in drug pricing to discuss how purposefully complex and shady business practices allow PBMs to hide their profit margins from outside scrutiny. For more information follow Robert on LinkedIn, on Twitter at  @PopovianPharmD. You can also hear more of his thoughts on his podcast 'Healthcare Matters' on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on his Website

The FTC investigation, the CMS DIR fee rule, and an IPA Mailbag

This week Anthony answers some of the questions we've received recently about the FTC's investigation into Pharmacy Benefit Managers, the new CMS DIR fee rule, and Beyonce's new song. 

US Senate Hearings On PBMs and UFOs with David Balto

Earlier this year the FTC commissioners had a deadlock 2-2 vote on whether to investigate pharmacy benefit managers, effectively killing the proposal at least for now. This week we speak to David Balto, who recently participated in a U.S. Senate panel hearing on PBMs. He tells us what happened, how we can help, and how to get the public to care.