This Week in Pharmacy

Pharmacy Podcast Network
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Weekly Pharmacy News from the Insiders! This podcast is packed with updates about what’s happening in the Pharmacy Profession.

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    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.

  2. Jul 29

    IPC Podcast Feature: Expanding Wellness Revenue with Fullscript | TWIRx

    The Independent Pharmacy Cooperative is partnering with Fullscript to help independent pharmacies expand their wellness offerings without adding inventory, storage costs, or fulfillment responsibilities.   Through the partnership, IPC members receive free access to Fullscript’s digital platform, featuring more than 375 trusted supplement brands. Pharmacies can recommend personalized wellness protocols, earn approximately 35% margins on online sales, and benefit from direct-to-patient shipping, automated refill reminders, and optional auto-ship services.   Fullscript manages product inventory, payment processing, and delivery, giving independent pharmacies a practical way to generate recurring revenue while supporting patient adherence and long-term wellness goals.   Guests:   Kelli - IPC Christopher - FullScript Shannon - IPC Andrea - Pharmacy Owner Emlah Tubuo - Pharmacy Owner

  3. Jul 24

    Community Link by GoodRx | TWIRx

    Independent pharmacies are facing growing reimbursement uncertainty, especially when dispensing high-cost brand medications such as GLP-1 therapies. In this exclusive Pharmacy Podcast Network special feature, we examine how GoodRx Community Link provides independent pharmacies with predictable pricing and favorable economics across both brand and generic medications, ultimately helping pharmacies remain solvent while providing consumers affordable prescription prices.   Todd Eury is joined by David Graziano, Head of Retail Network at GoodRx, and Tom DePietro, independent pharmacy owner at DePietro’s Pharmacy, for a practical discussion about the pressures affecting independent pharmacy and the need for reimbursement models that support  pharmacy viability.   The conversation explores how Community Link supports brand medications through manufacturer-funded savings that flow back to the pharmacy through GoodRx, while the manufacturer covers the administrative fee. For generic medications, the program uses a NADAC-based cost-plus model intended to provide clearer visibility into reimbursement.   Listeners will also hear how independent pharmacies are impacted by rising deductibles, prior authorizations, narrow formularies, cash-pay growth, and increased competition. David and Tom discuss the importance of transparent pricing, digital engagement, streamlined fulfillment, personalized patient care, and sustainable economics for local pharmacies.   Key discussion points include: The financial risk of dispensing high-cost brand medications like GLP-1s Predictable reimbursement for brands and generics The role of manufacturer-funded savings for brand medications NADAC-based cost-plus pricing for generics Pharmacy access to GLP-1 cash-pay programs Competing through service, technology, and patient relationships Protecting local healthcare access through independent pharmacy   Explore how GoodRx Community Link can bring greater transparency and predictability to brand and generic dispensing, helping independent pharmacies serve patients sustainably and with confidence.   Featured Guests: David Graziano — Head of Retail Network, GoodRx Tom DePietro — Independent Pharmacy Owner, DePietro’s Pharmacy   Host: Todd Eury — Founder, Pharmacy Podcast Network   Visit goodrx.com/CommunityLink to learn more GoodRx is NOT insurance.

  4. Jul 20

    Introducing Specialty Care Close to Home | TWIRx

    Specialty pharmacy is becoming one of the most important access points in modern healthcare, particularly for patients managing complex, chronic, rare, and high-cost conditions. As therapies advance and patient needs become more sophisticated, health systems are rethinking how specialty pharmacy can improve medication access, continuity of care, clinical outcomes, affordability, and the overall patient experience.   In this special episode of This Week in Pharmacy, the Pharmacy Podcast Network introduces Specialty Care Close to Home, a new series examining how hospitals and health systems are designing, building, supporting, and scaling specialty pharmacy services across health-system and community-based care models.   Featured Guests   Dr. Laura Mark, PharmD Vice President of Pharmacy, Allegheny Health Network   Allison Arant Senior Vice President, Clearway Health   Chris Corsi Chief Executive Officer, CassianRx   Together, the guests discuss why health-system specialty pharmacy expansion matters, what successful programs require, and where the greatest strategic and operational challenges exist. The conversation explores how strong partnerships, integrated clinical workflows, patient-centered technology, and coordinated care teams can reduce fragmentation and improve specialty medication access.   Discussion Highlights The growing strategic role of health-system specialty pharmacy Keeping patients connected to trusted local care teams Improving access, adherence, affordability, and therapy management Building scalable specialty pharmacy infrastructure Integrating clinical, operational, and technology capabilities Overcoming payer, workflow, workforce, and reimbursement challenges Creating collaborative models that support long-term sustainability   Future episodes of Specialty Care Close to Home will explore accreditation, payer access, manufacturer relationships, clinical workflow, patient engagement, technology infrastructure, data reporting, community access, workforce development, and financial sustainability.   The series will also feature pharmacy directors, vice presidents, executives, operators, and innovators from health systems across the country who are leading the next generation of specialty care delivery.   Host: Todd Eury, Founder of the Pharmacy Podcast Network   Coming Soon: Specialty Care Close to Home—a national conversation about bringing advanced specialty pharmacy services closer to where patients live, work, and receive care.

  5. Jul 17

    AI in Pharmacy Standards and Drug Supply Chain Upgrades | TWIRx

    AI in Pharmacy Standards and Drug Supply Chain Upgrades This Week in Pharmacy — July 17, 2026   Artificial intelligence and supply chain modernization are reshaping pharmacy practice, patient access, and healthcare operations.   In this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, host Todd Eury speaks with leaders from URAC and Cencora about responsible AI adoption and the growing gap between drug availability and real-world access.   Guests   Shawn Griffin, MD President and CEO, URAC   Brent Wilhelm Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain Center of Excellence, Cencora   Tim Weber Pharmacy Operations and Regulatory Executive   AI is already supporting clinical documentation, patient communication, risk prediction, and workflow automation. URAC President and CEO Shawn Griffin, MD, explains why healthcare organizations need clear governance, defined accountability, human oversight, and continuous monitoring before deploying AI at scale.   The discussion addresses transparency, performance evaluation, bias, data integrity, cybersecurity, and the role accreditation standards may play in promoting safe and responsible AI adoption.   Governance and accountability for AI outputs Human review of AI-supported decisions Monitoring safety, accuracy, and bias The role of accreditation in AI oversight Balancing innovation with patient protection   Drug Availability Versus Patient Access   Brent Wilhelm of Cencora discusses why a medication may exist somewhere in the supply chain but still remain difficult for providers to obtain.   Dosage limitations, delivery timing, ordering complexity, reimbursement barriers, cold-chain requirements, and site-of-care restrictions can all delay patient access.   Wilhelm explains why the industry must look beyond inventory levels and focus on whether providers can obtain the correct therapy, at the right location, when the patient needs it.   Inventory visibility versus actual access Differences across pharmacies and sites of care Specialty and temperature-sensitive therapies Provider demand forecasting Reducing delays, shortages, and waste   Tim Weber adds the pharmacy operations and regulatory viewpoint, discussing inventory planning, compliance, product tracing, reimbursement, and patient fulfillment.   The conversation highlights the need for better coordination among manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, health systems, payers, and regulators.

  6. Jul 10

    Integrative Care Impact and the Expanding Role of the Pharmacist | TWIRx

    Integrative Care Impact and the Expanding Role of the Pharmacist | TWIRx Today’s episode of This Week in Pharmacy explores two major opportunities shaping the future of the profession: the growth of holistic and integrative pharmacy services inside community pharmacies, and the expanding demand for pharmacists across the business, insurance, and PBM sectors. In our first segment, Todd Eury welcomes special guests Robert Kress, RPh, and Dr. Bianca Bradshaw, PharmD, owner of Elmore Pharmacy in Red Bluff, California. Together, they discuss the tremendous opportunity for independent pharmacies to build holistic and integrative health departments that respond to growing consumer demand for natural products, supplements, wellness solutions, and personalized care. Dr. Bianca Bradshaw, PharmD https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-bradshaw-141092205/ Patients are increasingly seeking more natural approaches to health, but they still need trusted clinical guidance. Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help patients evaluate products, avoid harmful interactions, understand evidence, and develop safer, more effective wellness plans. This conversation explores how pharmacies can create new service lines, improve patient relationships, and establish sustainable revenue opportunities through integrative care. In our second segment, Dr. Bonnie Hui-Callahan, PharmD, returns to the show to discuss career opportunities for pharmacists within Judi Health and Capital Rx, as well as the broader business and insurance side of pharmacy. Dr. Bonnie Hui-Callahan, PharmD https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-hui-callahan/ As PBMs continue to evolve, new-generation models are creating demand for pharmacists who understand clinical care, benefits, formulary strategy, patient access, data, and healthcare economics. Bonnie shares why pharmacists will remain essential as PBMs transform and why the profession should look beyond traditional dispensing and clinical practice roles when considering future career paths. Today’s episode is sponsored by Independent Pharmacy Cooperative and SuiteRx. Listen to This Week in Pharmacy on the Pharmacy Podcast Network.

  7. Jul 3

    250 Years of Freedom - 4th of July Special | TWIRx

    Today e celebrate 250 Years of Freedom during this 4th of July special with Scotty Sykes with Sykes & Company Pharmacy Accounting Experts. Next, a special interview with Virginia Halsey SVP of Strategy and Product Management and Brad Engels Product Manager at First Databank (FDB).  Today's TWIRx is sponsored by Sykes & Company  250 Years of Freedom - 4th of July Special | TWIRx

  8. Jun 26

    PBM Truth, Cash-Based Pharmacy, and Psychedelics in Medicine | TWIRx

    THIS WEEK IN PHARMACY PBM Truth, Cash-Based Pharmacy, and Psychedelics in Medicine Presented by SuiteRx Pharmacy Software Technologies Learn more at SuiteRx.com Episode Overview On this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, Todd Eury brings together two timely conversations focused on pharmacy transformation, advocacy, clinical education, and the future role of pharmacists in healthcare. First, Todd welcomes Brad Hart, owner of Forest Park Pharmacy, a cash-based independent pharmacy model challenging the traditional reimbursement structure many pharmacies operate under. Brad has become a powerful advocate for pharmacy transparency, using TikTok and social media to expose current PBM practices, share data, and speak directly to patients, pharmacy owners, and policymakers about the realities facing independent pharmacies. Brad’s message is clear: patients deserve transparency, pharmacy owners deserve fair treatment, and the profession needs more voices willing to educate the public with facts and truth. In the second half of the episode, Todd is joined by Dr. Colby Burns and Dr. Andy Krut from the Psychedelic Pharmacists Association. This discussion helps set the groundwork for understanding psychedelics in medicine, the evolving role of pharmacists in psychedelic education, and the clinical potential of psychotropic therapies historically limited by regulation, stigma, and lack of provider education. As interest in psychedelic-assisted care grows, pharmacists must be part of the conversation. Dr. Burns and Dr. Krut explain why pharmacist education, medication safety, and clinical understanding are essential as healthcare explores emerging approaches to mental health, trauma, pain, and complex patient care. Featured Guests Brad Hart Owner, Forest Park Pharmacy Dr. Colby Burns Psychedelic Pharmacists Association Dr. Andy Krut Psychedelic Pharmacists Association Sponsored By This episode of This Week in Pharmacy is brought to you by SuiteRx Pharmacy Software Technologies. SuiteRx provides pharmacy software solutions designed to support independent pharmacies, improve workflow, enhance patient care, and help pharmacy teams operate more efficiently in today’s demanding healthcare environment. Learn more at SuiteRx.com.

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About

Weekly Pharmacy News from the Insiders! This podcast is packed with updates about what’s happening in the Pharmacy Profession.

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  • Creator
    Pharmacy Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    This Week in Pharmacy