Independent Rx Forum

What does long-term care pharmacy at home look like, and how is CPESN® helping lead the way? Join host John Beckner for a dynamic conversation with Leanne Haley-Brown, BS Pharm, RPh, and Patrick Chancy, PharmD, of Chancy Drugs, as they explore how LTC at home came to be and the pivotal role CPESN plays in its success.  Guests:  Leanne Haley-Brown, BS Pharm, RPh, CPESN Pharmacy Care at Home, and Patrick Chancy, PharmD, Chancy Drugs 

Our “Vaccine Voices” series is back! Independent Rx Forum host John Beckner sits down with Meredy Ayers, CPhT-Adv, a development specialist at Bremo Pharmacy, who is also certified to administer vaccines. Together, they discuss the expanding role of pharmacy technicians in immunization delivery, the impact on patient access, and how technicians are helping strengthen community pharmacy teams.

Independent Rx Forum host John Beckner is joined by Jessi Stout, PharmD, owner of Table Rock Pharmacy in Morganton, N.C. who is among those featured in the August issue of America’s Pharmacist®. She shares her journey into community pharmacy and how she weathered Hurricane Helene while supporting her community through the aftermath.

Independent Rx Forum host John Beckner sits down with Shirley and Gordon Wong, owners of Knolls Pharmacy in California who are among those featured in the August issue of America’s Pharmacist®. The Wongs share their firsthand experience during the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires and reflect on how their community came together in the face of crisis.

America's Pharmacist correspondents Chris Linville and Sam Manas, along with NCPA Foundation Executive Director Sonja Pagniano, share the powerful stories of pharmacists in North Carolina, East Tennessee, and Los Angeles who battled through devastating floods and wildfires to protect their businesses and support their communities. America's Pharmacist Online | NCPA

Tripp Logan, PharmD, and Richard Logan, Jr., PharmD, join us in this episode of the “Independent Rx Forum” to discuss care coordination –– a vital but often overlooked role of community pharmacy that, at some level, every pharmacy is already doing. From ensuring patients receive their medications on time to closing care gaps, pharmacies are a trusted touchpoint in the health care system. Learn what funding opportunities are out there and how to raise awareness with payers.    Guests:  Tripp Logan, PharmD, Luminary, CPESN Missouri,   Richard Logan, Jr., PharmD 

Virginia pharmacies scored a crucial last-minute win when Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed the bipartisan Save Local Pharmacies Act. into law after uncertainty and the threat of a veto. The law increases transparency, saves the state millions, requires pass-through pricing, prohibits spread pricing, and helps keep pharmacies open, which is critical in rural areas where they're often the only access to health care. Guests Lura Thompson and Kim Wright also discuss the impact of advocacy and legislative relationships and how enhanced services through CPESN® are shaping the future of pharmacy care.    Guests:  Lura Thompson, managing network facilitator, CPESN   Kim Wright, director of pharmacy, Family Pharmacies in Amelia, Cumberland, and Farmville, Va. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who needs PBM reform in their state. Trent McLemore and Josh Hardin from the Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance share how they helped achieve a major PBM reform victory. Hear about their comprehensive solution, why grassroots advocacy was key, and how facetime with legislators made all the difference. What’s next for Alabama? Tune in to find out.      Learn more about the Alabama law here.      Guests:   Trent McLemore, executive secretary, Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance, director of Pharmacy, Star Discount Pharmacy ownership group   Josh Hardin, chairman of legislative affairs, Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance, owner, Mills pharmacy 

NCPA’s Jack Mozloom and Kaite Krell, director of congressional affairs, talk about the massive spending bill that passed the House last week, which includes a top priority for independent pharmacists. What happened? What does it mean for independent pharmacy, and what’s next? Kaite runs through it all on this episode of Independent Rx Forum.

Pharmacy is evolving. Are independent pharmacies and pharmacy schools keeping up?    Ed Cohen and Traci Poole join us in this episode of the “Independent Rx Forum” to talk innovation, advocacy, and the push to redefine what it means to be a pharmacist today. From payment reform to public trust, let’s turn talk to action.    To learn more about EmpowerRx, the program John Beckner mentioned that was created for pharmacy support staff by our Developing Opportunities committee, visit https://ncpa.org/empower-rx.   Guests:  Ed Cohen, PharmD, FAPhA, COO, PharmTeam Associates  Traci Poole, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, FAPhA, director of community practice advancement, Belmont College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, fellow, APhA

Get plugged into Community Connected, a CPESN® initiative helping independent pharmacies strengthen community ties, build trust, and break down barriers to care. Our guests from CPESN, Angelina Tucker and Anginette Wyatt, share how this program can help you train your team, boost cultural competency, connect with local stakeholders, and access digital marketing tools. Plus, discover how CPESN can help you tap into accreditation, funding, and payer programs to expand your impact!     Get details at www.communityconnected.us.    Guests:   Angelina Tucker, assistant director, Community Connected, CPESN USA, director of clinical services, Best Value Pharmacies, Inc.  Anginette Wyatt, CEO, Clinical Care Pharmacy, LLC, Clinical Care Pharmacy, immediate-past president, APhA foundation

How do you turn vaccine hesitancy into a clinical and business success?     Abe Funk, PharmD, shares how a CPESN®-provided grant enabled pharmacies in Missouri to expand vaccination efforts beyond the pharmacy — reaching patients at fairs, shelters, and more. Get strategies to effectively engage patients in conversations about vaccines, streamline your workflow, and use community health workers to close care gaps, and hear why NCPA and CPESN are essential to the future of independent pharmacy.    Guest: Abe Funk, PharmD, owner, John’s Pharmacy and John’s Rx Long Term Care 

This week, NCPA brought hundreds of independent pharmacy advocates to Capitol Hill to push for NCPA priorities in-person with their members of Congress and their staff. In this episode, we interview NCPA President Jeff Harrell and highlight the experiences of a first-time attendee as well as student attendees.   qAM is NCPA's weekday email newsletter. Subscribe at ncpa.org/qam. Hosted by Sam Manas (smanas@ncpa.org). You can find a running list of our news stories, and Executive Update columns from NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey, on our website's Member Publications section (https://ncpa.org/news#memberpub).   Samuel Manas Associate Director of Communications National Community Pharmacists Association Phone: (443) 310-1761   Save the date for our 2025 Annual Convention in New Orleans, Oct. 18-21. Registration opens on June 5.

Why is CPESN® such an asset to independent pharmacies? Christian Tadrus, PharmD — pharmacy owner, strategy consultant, and CPESN Luminary of the Year for 2024 — joins us to highlight the resources it provides access to. Learn about how CPESN can connect pharmacies to payer programs, local public health entities, and grants that support enhanced patient care.    Guest: Christian Tadrus, PharmD, pharmacy owner, lead strategy consultant, Tadrus Advisory Group, LLC, CPESN Luminary of the Year 

qAM is NCPA's weekday email newsletter. Subscribe at ncpa.org/qam. Hosted by Sam Manas (smanas@ncpa.org).   Today's stories: NCPA urges DOGE to focus on PBMs for waste, fraud, and abuse   - https://bit.ly/4cNTTJb PhRMA report: 25 percent tariff could hike prices by up to 12.9 percent - https://bit.ly/3RzWmNx Ohio shows PBM and Medicaid reforms save money  - https://bit.ly/3YjsU25   For more information on our Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, please visit our website here: https://ncpa.org/congressional-pharmacy-fly   Want to catch up on what else we’ve shared in qAM? You can find a running list of our stories, and Executive Update columns from NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey, on our website's Member Publications section (https://ncpa.org/news#memberpub).

What is long-term care pharmacy at home, and why is there a growing need for these services? Don’t miss this valuable conversation with guests Susan Rhodus and Leanne Haley-Brown as they look into all things LTC at home. They also address what makes this a game-changing opportunity, why community pharmacies are perfectly positioned to lead this shift, and what to consider before getting started.    Guests:  Leanne Haley-Brown, BS Pharm, RPh, CPESN® pharmacy care at home and closed-door facility care lead  Susan Rhodus, BS Pharm, senior vice president, contracts and advocacy, GeriMed

qAM is NCPA's weekday email newsletter. Subscribe at ncpa.org/qamsignup. Hosted by Sam Manas (smanas@ncpa.org).   Here are the stories we covered today: Tariffs must be finely tuned to avoid higher costs to pharmacies - https://bit.ly/42ijUg7 NCPA Statement on Drug Pricing Executive Order - https://bit.ly/42sQdYo Arkansas law bans state permits to PBM-owned pharmacies effective 2026 - https://bit.ly/4jC8ae7 Comeback state of the year: Alabama governor signs PBM reform bill into law - https://bit.ly/4413cTJ 39 state and territory attorneys general urge passage of federal PBM reform legislation - https://bit.ly/43ZJeZC   For more information on our Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, please visit our website here: https://ncpa.org/congressional-pharmacy-fly   Want to catch up on what else we’ve shared in qAM? You can find a running list of our stories, and Executive Update columns from NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey, on our website's Member Publications section (https://ncpa.org/news#memberpub).

Measles is making a comeback — and pharmacists play a key role in prevention. In this episode, David Ha, PharmD, BCIDP of Stanford and Rannon Ching, PharmD, owner of Tarrytown Pharmacy, discuss clinical considerations and how pharmacists can fight vaccine hesitancy by educating their communities and working with the local medical community to provide vaccine access. Learn how being a trusted resource can protect vulnerable populations, help boost immunization efforts, and benefit your business.    Guests:   Rannon Ching, PharmD, president, chief pharmacy officer, Tarrytown Pharmacy David Ha, PharmD, BCIDP, infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist and manager at the Stanford University School of Medicine 

Next up in our special series, “Vaccine Voices,” guest host Hannah Fish, NCPA’s senior director of strategic initiatives, sits down with Marc Ost, CPhT, co-owner of Eric’s RX Shoppe, to break down the complexities of medical billing for immunizations. Marc shares how he helped develop a successful vaccine program in his pharmacy. He takes us through the ins and outs of all the different billing types and offers practical tips on using pharmacy management systems to streamline billing, training staff to avoid errors, and tracking different reimbursement options. Whether you’re just getting started with immunizations or are looking to refine your process, this episode is packed with advice to help your pharmacy succeed.  This series is sponsored by a CDC cooperative agreement.    Guest: Marc Ost, CPhT, co-owner at Eric’s RX Shoppe   Guest Host: Hannah Fish, senior director of strategic initiatives, NCPA 

qAM is NCPA's weekday email newsletter. You can subscribe here (https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/2005179/1976523/).   Here are the stories we covered today: Senate confirms FTC appointee Mark Meador House takes next steps to pass the president’s budget Arkansas HB 1150 heads to the governor Alabama PBM reform tide rolls to Governor's desk   For more information on our Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, please visit our website (https://ncpa.org/congressional-pharmacy-fly)     Want to catch up on what else we’ve shared in qAM? You can find a running list of our stories, and Executive Update columns from NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey, on our website's Member Publications section (https://ncpa.org/news#memberpub).   If you're having trouble accessing the links above, please check the episode page here (https://independentrxforum.libsyn.com/).   Hosted by Sam Manas (smanas@ncpa.org).