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This Week in Pharmacy: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Pharmacy Podcast Network
Weekly Pharmacy News from the Insiders! This podcast is packed with updates about what’s happening in the Pharmacy Profession.
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- 2 days ago1h 18m
Pharmacists at the Center: Public Health, AI & the New Pharmacy Model | TWIRx
This week on TWIRx, we’re looking at the expanding role of pharmacists in public health, value-based care, artificial intelligence, medication intelligence, and the technology infrastructure supporting independent community pharmacy. We begin with a special conversation featuring Alex J. Adams, PharmD, MPH, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and Pennsylvania pharmacy leader Robert “Rob” Maher, PharmD, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN). Dr. Adams brings a pharmacist’s perspective to federal health and human services leadership, while Maher leads a statewide clinically integrated pharmacy network focused on measurable patient outcomes. Together, we discuss how pharmacists are becoming increasingly involved in public health initiatives and how organizations such as PPCN are helping demonstrate the value of pharmacist-provided care through value-based models in Pennsylvania. Next, we continue our countdown to NASP inSPire 2026 with one of PPN’s Podcast Press Sponsors, Hendren AI. John Boos, PharmD, MBA, Founder and CEO of Hendren AI, joins us to examine the growing role of artificial intelligence in specialty pharmacy and rare disease management. We discuss how AI-enabled tools can support pharmacists by processing complex information, improving workflow efficiency, automating administrative processes, and helping pharmacy teams devote more time to clinical care and patient engagement. Our 3rd segement on today’s TWIRx, we catch up with Vince Costanzo of RxBLU for an important discussion about the rapidly changing pharmacy technology landscape. Pharmacy software today is about far more than features and functionality. For an independent pharmacy, its technology platform can sit at the center of dispensing, claims, inventory, patient communication, workflow, and business continuity. We discuss why pharmacies should evaluate not only the technology they purchase, but also the stability, accessibility, support structure, and long-term strategy of the company behind it. As consolidation continues throughout healthcare technology, independent pharmacy owners need to understand what a potential acquisition, ownership change, or shift in corporate priorities could mean for the software platforms their operations depend upon. Our featured Podcast Press Sponsor is First Databank — FDB. David Delaney, MD, President of FDB, joins TWIRx to discuss the company's newly announced FDB Script Agent™, an AI-powered prescribing agent designed to move ambient listening beyond clinical documentation. FDB Script Agent converts patient-clinician dialogue into structured prescriptions ready for clinician review, using FDB medication intelligence to provide clinical grounding and codification rather than relying on simple natural-language processing alone. We explore what this next generation of ambient AI could mean for prescribing workflows, medication safety, clinicians, and ultimately the pharmacies receiving those prescriptions. It’s another packed edition of This Week in Pharmacy — connecting pharmacy leadership, public health, specialty pharmacy, artificial intelligence and the technology shaping the future of the profession. This is TWIRx — This Week in Pharmacy, from the Pharmacy Podcast Network.
- 1 weeks ago58 min
Specialty Pharmacy Access, Innovation & Independent Pharmacy Growth | TWIRx
Sponsored by Value Drug Company Guests: Rick Siepp, PharmD CEO of Value Drug Company Jordan Smith, PharmD is an innovative community pharmacist, the executive director of the Jordan Smith Community Care Foundation, and the 2026 Kentucky Pharmacist of the Year Melinda Fowler, PharmD is a licensed pharmacist, functional medicine practitioner, and perimenopause/hormone therapy specialist known as The Hormonal Pharmacist. Allison Arant - Senior Vice President, Client Development & Marketing Clearway Health Subjects: 1) Value Drug Company - Building a new community pharmacy 2) Next Dose Summit - The Next Dose Summit is a two-day community-focused event for pharmacy professionals, technicians, students, entrepreneurs, and healthcare leaders. Event Details Dates: October 14–15, 2026 Location: Covington, Kentucky (near Cincinnati) Founder: Dr. Jordan Smith, PharmD Core Focus: Exploring unconventional paths, innovation, entrepreneurship, and career reinvention beyond traditional pharmacy boundaries, prioritizing organic networking over a standard continuing education (CE) structure Clearway Health - NASP inSPire Preview Allison Arant
- 2 weeks ago38 min
he Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: Access, Affordability & the Pharmacist’s Role | TWIRx
TWIRx NEWS 1. Medicare Part D Paid Nearly $588 Million for Ineligible OTC Drugs A federal audit found that Medicare Part D sponsors made approximately $587.7 million in ineligible payments from 2021 through 2023 for medications that had effectively transitioned from prescription to over-the-counter status. The HHS Office of Inspector General cited outdated FDA information and the lack of a clear CMS rejection timeline as major contributors. Why it matters: This exposes a serious coordination problem across FDA data, manufacturers, CMS, health plans and pharmacy claims systems. Pharmacists may see the rejection or payment issue at the counter, but the failure often begins far upstream. Read the Fierce Healthcare report Read the HHS-OIG audit 2. FDA Responds to Estradiol Patch Supply Pressure The FDA is working with six manufacturers to improve access to estradiol transdermal patches amid increased demand. While FDA has not declared a national shortage, availability varies by product, strength and geographic area. Manufacturers are increasing production through larger batches, added shifts and expanded capacity. Why it matters: Pharmacists are again serving as the front line of a supply-chain challenge—helping patients locate medication, coordinating with prescribers and identifying alternatives. Read the Reuters report Read the FDA update 3. New RSV and COVID-19 Guidance Released The American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have issued updated recommendations for RSV and COVID-19 protection during the 2026–2027 respiratory season. Why it matters: Pharmacists may face conflicting recommendations, patient confusion and questions about eligibility. Clear counseling and coordination with pediatric and obstetric providers will be critical. Read the Pharmacy Times report SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM OUTCOMES A special update from Megan Urban and Outcomes. Outcomes is highlighting new enhancements to its Rx30 pharmacy management platform, including a refreshed user experience, automated data-entry capabilities and support from a dedicated Client Success Team. The program will explore how these updates can streamline pharmacy workflows, save time and support greater focus on patient care. Presented by: Dalia Rios and Kaley Lester September 9, 2026 — 1:30 p.m. ET Register here FEATURED CONVERSATION Building a Bridge to GLP-1 Access Our featured guest is HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, PharmD, RPh, Senior Pharmacy Director at Buzz Health. HaVy works at the intersection of pharmacy, healthcare technology, medication affordability and prescription access. Buzz Health operates platforms including BuzzRx, RxCompare and RxAffect, with a focus on helping connect patients, pharmacies, prescribers and prescription pricing information. That makes today’s discussion particularly timely. THE MEDICARE GLP-1 BRIDGE CMS launched the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge on July 1, 2026, to provide eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access to selected GLP-1 medications for weight management. The demonstration runs through December 31, 2027. Eligible beneficiaries pay $50 for a monthly supply, while the program operates outside the traditional Part D payment flow through centralized prior authorization, claims adjudication and pharmacy payment. Eligible therapies currently include: Foundayo® Wegovy® Zepbound® The bigger issue is not simply GLP-1 coverage. It is how healthcare connects eligibility, affordability, prior authorization, pharmacy workflow and patient access. The central question for today’s discussion: Can we create a medication-access syst
- 3 weeks ago39 min
Community Pharmacy Freedom, Cash-Based Models & AI-Powered Medication Optimization | TWIRx
Today’s episode of This Week in Pharmacy — #TWIRx is sponsored by Value Drug Company and explores two major forces reshaping pharmacy: the evolution of the community pharmacy business model and the expanding role of artificial intelligence in medication optimization and value-based care. PART ONE: The Impact of the Cash-based Community Pharmacy Special Guest: Rick Seipp, PharmD President, Value Drug Company Community pharmacy is entering a new era. In Part One, Todd Eury sits down with Rick Seipp, PharmD, President of Value Drug Company, to discuss the continued evolution and expansion of independent community pharmacy and the many different business models emerging across the profession. Independent pharmacy owners are increasingly evaluating new ways to build sustainable businesses while creating greater professional freedom for pharmacists. One of the most interesting developments is the growth of cash-based and cost-plus pharmacy models that reduce or eliminate dependence on traditional insurance reimbursement and PBM-controlled prescription economics. These models can give pharmacy owners greater control over pricing, patient relationships, clinical services and the overall direction of their businesses — while allowing pharmacists to practice with significantly less interference from insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers. Two pharmacies in the Pittsburgh region are demonstrating how powerful this model can become: Blueberry Pharmacy — Kyle McCormick, PharmD has built Blueberry Pharmacy around a transparent, cash-based model designed to simplify prescription pricing and create a more direct relationship between the pharmacist and patient. Forward Rx Pharmacy — Brandon Antinopoulos, PharmD is another emerging example of how pharmacists can create innovative pharmacy businesses built around transparency, accessibility and freedom from many of the traditional constraints of third-party reimbursement. Todd and Rick discuss what these models mean for the broader independent pharmacy marketplace and why community pharmacy may be moving toward a much more diversified future. Sponsored by Value Drug Company, a pharmacist-led wholesale distribution partner committed to supporting the continued growth and independence of community pharmacy. https://lnkd.in/ehf76qUs PART TWO: AI-Powered Medication Optimization Special Guests: Yoona Kim, PharmD, PhD Co-Founder & CEO, Arine Jenny Behan, PharmD Lead Clinical Pharmacist, Arine In Part Two, #TWIRx shifts from pharmacy business innovation to one of the most important developments occurring in clinical pharmacy: the use of artificial intelligence to optimize medication therapy at scale. Arine is an AI-powered medication optimization platform designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by helping ensure patients receive the most effective and appropriate medications. Listen to This Week in Pharmacy — TWIRx on the Pharmacy Podcast Network across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Pharmacy Podcast Network — Amplifying the Voice of Pharmacy.
- Aug 21, 20261h 9m
Pharmacists and Advocacy for Patients in Pain | TWIRx
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 abandonment Why pharmacists cannot treat a valid prescriber signature as automatic authorization to dispense How PDMP and risk-scoring information can influence clinical decisions The effect of corporate policies and wholesaler ordering controls The difference between professional judgment and st
- Aug 14, 202634 min
The Value of a Trusted Wholesaler & Cole’s Act Update | TWIRx
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 The Value of a Trusted Wholesaler & Cole’s Act Update | TWIRx
- Aug 12, 202633 min
Part One: Introducing the CurifyLabs Platform | TWIRx Special Series
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.
- Aug 7, 202658 min
The Hidden Cost of Managing Pain Without a Pain Pharmacist | TWIRx
This Week in Pharmacy — August 7, 2026 The Hidden Cost of Managing Pain Without a Pain Pharmacist What happens when patients living with chronic pain do not have a pain pharmacist on their healthcare team? In this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, we explore the hidden clinical, emotional, and financial costs of managing pain without a pharmacist trained in pain management. These pharmacists do far more than review medications—they serve as accessible patient advocates, medication experts, care coordinators, and trusted partners for people navigating the complexities of chronic pain. Segment One: Pharmacists Are the Secret Weapon in Pain Management Special guest host Dr. Sing Ping Chow, PharmD, BCPMP, is joined by Dr. Matthew Hermenau, PharmD, BCPMP, CPh, NBC-HWC, CPT, for an important discussion about pharmacist-led pain management. Together, they examine how pain pharmacists can: Identify medication-related risks and opportunities to improve therapy Help patients balance pain relief, function, safety, and quality of life Collaborate with prescribers and other members of the healthcare team Support individualized, evidence-informed treatment plans Educate and empower patients living with chronic pain Advocate for patients whose concerns may otherwise go unheard Address the whole person—not simply a diagnosis or pain score The conversation reinforces a powerful message: pharmacists are one of healthcare’s most underused resources in chronic pain care. When a pain pharmacist is part of the team, patients gain a knowledgeable advocate who understands medications, listens to their lived experiences, and helps them pursue safer and more effective care. Remembering Dr. Jeffrey Fudin This episode includes a special tribute to the late Dr. Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, widely regarded as pharmacy’s godfather of pharmacist-led pain management. Dr. Fudin was a pioneering clinician, educator, author, mentor, and tireless advocate for the meaningful inclusion of pharmacists in pain care. His work challenged conventional thinking, elevated the role of the pharmacist, and helped build a path for future generations of pain-management specialists. His influence continues through the pharmacists he mentored, the patients he championed, and the profession he inspired. We honor Dr. Fudin’s legacy and his unwavering belief that people living with pain deserve informed, compassionate, and individualized care. Segment Two: The Nation’s Best Hospital Systems In the second segment, we welcome Chelsey Wen, Senior Health Data Analyst with U.S. News & World Report, to discuss the newly released 2026–2027 Best Hospitals rankings. Chelsey explains how U.S. News evaluates hospital performance and how patients and families can use the findings when making healthcare decisions. The latest assessment evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions. It places increased emphasis on patient outcomes and introduces regional specialty rankings designed to help patients locate complex care closer to home. Explore the 2026–2027 Best Hospitals announcement. link: https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals Topics include: What it means for a hospital to be nationally ranked or rated “High Performing” The clinical data and patient outcomes considered in the evaluation Changes to the 2026–2027 rankings and methodology The importance of regional rankings and access to specialized care How patients should interpret hospital rankings when choosing where to receive care Sponsored By Today’s episode of This Week in Pharmacy is brought to you by First Databank and Outcomes, pharmacy-technology organizations supporting safer, smarter, and more connected healthcare.
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