Rated Rx

What happens when your doctor prescribes a medication that does not exist? Not backordered. Not insurance denied. It simply is not made anywhere. In this episode of Rated Rx Podcast, pharmacists break down compounding pharmacy, why it exists, and why some patients would not survive without it. This is one of the most misunderstood areas of healthcare, and it answers a question people search online every day: what happens when standard medications do not work for you? You hear real examples involving pediatric epilepsy, elderly patients with complex medication regimens, feeding tubes, allergies to dyes and fillers, and rare conditions where mass-produced drugs fail. The episode explains how compounding pharmacists legally create customized medications by changing dosage forms, removing allergens, combining medications, and creating formulations that pharmaceutical companies never made. The crew also tackles the biggest misconception around compounding medications, including why compounded drugs are not FDA approved, what regulations actually apply, how USP standards protect patients, and why this work is highly regulated rather than experimental. Sterile compounding, non-sterile compounding, safety checks, pharmacist verification, and real-world problem solving are all explained clearly so you understand how these medications are made safely and legally. This episode helps patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals understand when compounding is appropriate and why asking about it can change outcomes. For educational and entertainment purposes only. Follow Us At: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RatedRxPodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ratedrxpodcast/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574813907982 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ratedrxpodcast

Do you really need to take your medications forever, or are some meant to be stopped? In this episode of the Rated Rx Podcast, pharmacists break down one of the most commonly searched health questions online: how long should you actually be on a medication 💊👀. This episode is part of Rated Rx’s Trending Health Questions Breakdown, where we take real questions people are Googling every day and explain them clearly without fear, confusion, or misinformation. The crew explains why some medications are truly lifelong, including insulin for type 1 diabetes, thyroid replacement, seizure medications, transplant drugs, and certain psychiatric medications. They also break down medications that depend on disease control, like blood pressure meds, cholesterol drugs, type 2 diabetes medications, and antidepressants. Finally, they cover medications that are often meant to be temporary but people accidentally stay on for years, including PPIs, steroids, antibiotics, allergy meds, and sleep aids. You’ll also hear why stopping medications suddenly can be dangerous, which drugs require tapering, and how to start the right conversation with your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes. This episode focuses on education, safety, and helping you understand why you are taking what you take and when it should be reevaluated. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Never start, stop, or change a medication without medical supervision.   Follow Rated Rx 🎙️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RatedRxPodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ratedrxpodcast/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574813907982 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ratedrxpodcast

You take your medications every day trusting they keep you healthy, but where you store your pills can quietly make them less effective or even dangerous 💊⚠️. In this episode of the Rated Rx Podcast, pharmacists kick off Rated Rx’s Trending Health Questions Breakdown, where the show focuses on answering the most common health and medication questions people are actively searching for online. One of the most searched questions around medication safety is “Where should I store my medications?” and the answers floating around the internet are often incomplete or flat-out wrong. That’s why the crew breaks down the five worst places to store your medications, explaining how heat, humidity, cleaning chemicals, and everyday household items can interfere with drug stability and safety. They walk through common storage mistakes people make without realizing it, including bathroom medicine cabinets, under-the-sink storage, garages, kitchen counters, and junk drawers. You hear why original packaging matters, when pill organizers help or hurt, and how improper storage increases risks for children and pets. This segment turns a trending online question into practical, pharmacist-backed advice you can actually use. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Follow Rated Rx and Join the Conversation 🎙️   YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RatedRxPodcast   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ratedrxpodcast/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574813907982   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ratedrxpodcast      

In this episode of the Rated Rx Podcast, pharmacists break down the biggest healthcare news of 2025 and what it actually means for patients and clinicians 👀💊. You hear real pharmacist perspectives on artificial intelligence in healthcare, new federal plans to regulate AI, and why clinical judgment, patient trust, and human decision making still matter more than algorithms 🤖➡️🧠.   The conversation also dives into major vaccine policy changes, including updates to newborn hepatitis B vaccination recommendations and why shifts like this raise real concerns for public health 🧬🩺. The crew explains what these changes mean in practice, how misinformation spreads fast, and why prevention still saves lives.   Later, the episode tackles the explosion of GLP 1 weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. You hear honest discussion about access, cost, compounding risks, and why obesity needs to be treated as a chronic disease instead of a personal failure ⚖️📈. This episode blends news, clinical insight, and real world experience to unpack where healthcare is heading next.   This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.   Listen and Follow Rated Rx 🎙️ Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rated-rx-podcast/id1804181016 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7KATtG1c3HwwYpVMtRuNub Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574813907982 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ratedrxpodcast/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ratedrxpodcast

This week on the Rated Rx Podcast, Robbie, Sam, and Xavier break down the 8 most-asked pharmacy interview questions and show you how to answer them without freezing on the spot 😅. You’ll hear how to nail “Tell me about yourself,” explain why you chose pharmacy, handle tough patient situations, and talk through medication errors without wrecking your chances 💊🔥. The crew reacts to the popular interview guide from RxLocal — here’s the full article we reviewed: https://www.rxlocal.com/blog/8-most-asked-pharmacy-interview-questions-how-to-answer-them They rewrite weak answers, point out red flags, and give you clean, confident ways to talk through your past, present, and future so you stand out in any interview. If you’re prepping for a residency, hospital role, or your first pharmacy job, this episode gives you the tools to walk in ready to win 🚀.   This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.   If you want more unfiltered pharmacy insights, interview tips, and behind-the-scenes moments, follow Rated Rx everywhere: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RatedRxPodcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574813907982 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ratedrxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ratedrxpodcast/  

In this special Rated Rx interview, Robbie sits down with Dr. Zack Meade, an anesthesiologist and major social media presence known for breaking down medical misinformation and educating patients online. They talk about why he started posting, how his content evolved from awkward early videos to confident patient-focused education, and why online medicine feels completely different from practicing in person. Zack opens up about the realities of online backlash, the communities that react the strongest, and the ground rules he follows to stay professional while still being funny. He also shares stories about hospital policies, case report controversies, naturopathic claims, wellness scams, and the strange world of “designer ECMO” at med spas. The conversation closes with the biggest lesson he learned from the comment section: patients need more time, more patience, and more understanding than most clinicians realize. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.

In this Adverse Reactions episode of the Rated Rx Podcast, Xavier Hill, Sam Llona, and Robbie Abasi react to a viral interview fail where the candidate didn’t even know which company they were interviewing with. The crew breaks down what actually matters in a pharmacy interview, how to recover when you blank, and the questions you should never ask unless you want an immediate rejection. They talk about the biggest green flags interviewers look for—being early, staying accountable, remembering names, looking prepared, and showing you can ease the team’s workload. They also cover the red flags that end interviews fast, including asking about drug tests, vacation limits, free perks, and bad-mouthing past employers. You hear real stories about awkward introductions, questionable grooming choices, and the surprising importance of color psychology when choosing what to wear. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.

In this Weekly Weigh-In from the Rated Rx Podcast, Sam Llona, Robbie Abasi, and Xavier Hill answer a listener question about how to crush your pharmacy interview without letting nerves take over. The crew shares stories from their own OSCEs, job interviews, and residency days, including a few disasters, and gives real advice on staying calm, showing people skills, and turning anxiety into confidence. They explain how to handle nervous habits like saying “um” too often, why silence can actually be powerful, and how to use small talk and observation to connect with interviewers. The conversation also covers practicing empathy questions, setting boundaries for inappropriate interview questions, and remembering that authenticity always beats perfection. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Under the Cap episode of the Rated Rx Podcast, Robbie Abasi, Sam Llona, and Xavier Hill dive into a Reddit thread that asks pharmacy technicians, “What’s one thing you wish patients knew?” The crew ranks the most-liked responses and shares their own stories from inpatient and compounding settings. From constant phone calls seconds after an order drops to the “fill them all” requests, they highlight how time pressure and unrealistic expectations make the job harder for everyone. You hear funny but real moments about mispronounced drugs, refill confusion, and the universal truth of pharmacy—everyone just needs a little more time. The conversation closes with shoutouts to pharmacy technicians, the unsung heroes who keep chaos from taking over. Original Reddit Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/PharmacyTechnician/comments/1cyt8fi/qotd_whats_one_thing_you_wish_patients_knew_at/ This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Adverse Reactions episode of the Rated Rx Podcast, Xavier Hill, Sam Llona, and Robbie Abasi react to viral headlines about recent drug recalls and how misinformation spreads online. The crew breaks down how the recall process actually works, why clickbait articles cause panic, and what patients should really do if they think their medication is affected. They share real-world experiences from hospital and community settings, showing how pharmacists verify lot numbers, notify patients, and balance professional responsibility with setting boundaries online. The conversation gets honest about “rage bait,” accountability, and the pressure of being a licensed professional in the comment section. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Weekly Weigh In, Sam Llona, Robbie Abasi, and Xavier Hill answer a listener question about why pharmacists ask for your date of birth every time. They show how look alike names, same birthdays, and rushed handoffs lead to wrong patient errors, including a real mix up with a long acting injectable that forced a hospital policy change. You hear how teams prevent errors with multiple identifiers, barcoding, and good catch reporting, and why many near misses never get logged. The crew closes by debating biometric shortcuts and apps at pickup, and why patient safety still needs human checks. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Plan B Blind Draft from the Rated Rx Podcast, Sam Llona, Robbie Abasi, and Xavier Hill rank the classes and skills they wish pharmacy school actually taught. From “how to say we’re short-staffed in 14 professional tones” to “defensive counseling when every patient is a lawyer,” the crew mixes humor and truth to spotlight the skills every pharmacist learns the hard way. Between talk of refunds on half-empty bottles, the art of passive-aggressive communication, and real stories from practice, this episode captures the parts of pharmacy life that don’t make it into textbooks. You’ll hear laughter, frustration, and honesty about what it’s like to navigate patient interactions, burnout, and unrealistic expectations in healthcare. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Under the Cap episode of the Rated Rx Podcast, Robbie Abasi, Sam Llona, and Xavier Hill kick things off with a hilarious work rant about privacy, cameras, and the unexpected realities of hospital pharmacy life. Once the laughter settles, the team dives into this week’s theme—“Things I Wish I Knew in Pharmacy School.” They unpack a Pharmacy Times article called “The Three Skills You’ll Need Most” and explore how the profession is shifting from memorizing knowledge to mastering real-world skills. The crew breaks down what truly separates good pharmacists from great ones: communication that motivates, business adaptability in a broken PBM world, and AI fluency that keeps pharmacists relevant in the digital age. From workplace wedgie confessions to sharp commentary on billing, burnout, and automation, this episode blends humor with the hard truths every pharmacist and student should hear. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Adverse Reactions segment of the Rated Rx Podcast, Xavier Hill, Sam Llona, and Robbie Abasi react to a TikTok from Retail with Reece about the most important lessons learned in pharmacy school. The crew takes the viral video’s message about grades and networking and turns it into an open, honest conversation about what really matters after graduation. They talk about the value of communication, confidence, and relationships over GPA, sharing how networking opened unexpected doors in their own careers—from residency connections to real-world job offers. The discussion digs into what pharmacy schools get right, what they miss, and how students can balance grades with experience without losing themselves in the process. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Weekly Weigh-In from the Rated Rx Podcast, Sam Llona, Robbie Abasi, and Xavier Hill reflect on what pharmacy school actually prepares you for—and what it doesn’t. The crew debates whether the curriculum focuses too much on memorization and not enough on communication, empathy, and real-world problem-solving. Sam kicks things off with a story from his sterile compounding lab, where a testosterone formula failed a particle test, leading to a deep dive into benzyl alcohol chemistry and troubleshooting under pressure. From there, the team talks about the hands-on lessons that school often misses: learning to talk to doctors, managing burnout, and gaining confidence through real experience instead of just grades. This episode gives pharmacy students and professionals an honest look at what it takes to grow beyond the classroom and into the realities of patient care, teamwork, and communication. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special crossover episode was originally featured on This Week in Pharmacy (TWiRx) from the Pharmacy Podcast Network on October 17, 2025. The Rated Rx Podcast crew—Robbie Abasi, Sam Llona, and Xavier Hill—join host Todd Eury for a candid takeover that blends humor, honesty, and hard truths about the profession. They talk about what pharmacy school doesn’t teach, how grades and residencies shape (and sometimes limit) career expectations, and why burnout often starts with unrealistic goals. The conversation covers ownership myths, the role of AI in pharmacy, and the responsibility pharmacists have to speak up when systems fail patients. It’s an open discussion between educators, practitioners, and innovators—each with a different view of where pharmacy stands today and where it’s headed next. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Rated Rx Podcast, Robbie Abasi, Sam Llona, and Xavier Hill celebrate Pharmacy Month by talking about the medications that changed the world. The crew shares their top picks—penicillin, smallpox vaccines, and antiretroviral drugs—and how each one reshaped public health. They move from past breakthroughs to future hopes, debating which conditions need the next big cure and why diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s still frustrate researchers and families alike. Later, things take a strange turn when they react to a viral TikTok of someone marinating chicken in NyQuil. You’ll hear the team’s pharmacist brains short-circuit as they try to make sense of it. From there, the Plan B Blind Draft introduces the wildest made-up medications imaginable, from freezing time pills to regret-free memory tabs. Robbie wraps with a new segment called Under the Cap, revisiting the story of thalidomide and the 1962 Kefauver-Harris Amendment that forever changed how the FDA approves drugs. The discussion shifts to today’s political climate, vaccine misinformation, and the importance of trusting experts over conspiracy headlines. The episode ends with a blunt reminder: read books, not comment sections. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Rated Rx Podcast, Robbie Abasi, Sam Llona, and Xavier Hill talk about what happens when personal data meets mental health apps. They share which wearables they actually use, how accurate the data feels, and whether the privacy tradeoff is worth it. You’ll hear about sleep tracking rings, guided meditation apps, and where the line falls between wellness and surveillance. The group also asks the bigger question: who regulates this stuff? They compare mental health apps to supplements—promises everywhere, oversight nowhere—and debate whether tech companies should face the same rules as drug makers. The conversation takes a turn into data tracking, government access, and whether devices like Neuralink cross an ethical line. In Pharmacy Fantasy, the crew imagines a world where pharmacists run a spaceship. From floating insulin vials to reconstituting antibiotics in zero gravity, things go sideways fast. They end with a Blind Draft of the worst things to find in a pharmacy fridge, and a reaction to a viral “food tampering” video that sparks a talk about safety seals, the Tylenol murders, and why pharmacists still trust but verify. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Rated Rx Podcast, Robbie Abasi, Sam Llona, and Xavier Hill sit down with their longtime friend and colleague Joelle Ayoub, now an associate professor at Western University of Health Sciences. Joelle talks about her path from math major to pharmacy educator, why she never lost her love for psychology and mentoring, and how she uses social media to connect with her students. You’ll hear stories about her own time as a student, including awkward immunization practicums, showing up late with Starbucks, and being called out in class. She also shares what it’s like to precept today’s students, from overthinking pencils and pens on exams to cramming empathy from YouTube videos overnight. In the Blind Draft, Joelle ranks the wildest student mishaps, from counseling the wrong patient to trying to reverse a vaccine error with another vaccine. The crew also reacts to a viral video on pharmacist burnout and debates whether pharmacy still offers a fulfilling career path—or if the system itself needs to change. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Rated Rx Podcast, Robbie Abasi, Sam Llona, and Xavier Hill talk about the pushback patients give on medical devices. From compression stockings to CPAP machines, canes, and blood sugar checks, the crew shares the resistance they’ve seen and how education and design can make a difference. The Pharmacy Fantasy segment throws them into chaos with a “miracle pill” that lowers cholesterol, balances blood sugar, melts pounds, and hands out cash. With only 12 bottles to give, the team debates fairness, gatekeeping, and what this scenario says about pharmacists in real life. In the Blind Draft, they rank the most confusing and outrageous auxiliary labels, including “take until you stop hearing colors.” Robbie adds a rant about synesthesia and patients who see sounds in color. The episode wraps with a video reaction to a frustrated patient who felt abandoned by her psychiatrist, sparking a raw talk about patient autonomy, shared decision-making, and how far providers should go to involve patients in their own care. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.