Saving Lives: Pharmacy-Based Addictive Services Part 1
Release Date: 02/20/2026
#NCPAontheHill 2026: Independent Pharmacy Takes the Hill
Independent Rx Forum
NCPA President Kristen Riddle sits down with host Sam Manas to reflect on this year's Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In. Riddle shares the excitement she felt walking into her representatives' offices off the back of the recent PBM reform and puts out a call to action for pharmacists who were unable to attend this year’s fly-in. Mark your calendar! Next year’s fly-in is April 7-8, 2027.
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It’s Not Just in Her Head: Menopause, Mental Health, and the Truth About Hormones
Independent Rx Forum
Tana Kaefer, PharmD, joins host John Beckner for a discussion exploring the intersection of menopause, mental health, and hormone therapy. This week’s conversation focuses on how evolving evidence has reshaped our understanding since the landmark began. Kaefer highlights the pharmacist’s role in identifying symptoms, guiding patients, and supporting safe, individualized care for those experiencing menopause. Thank you to Cardinal Health Foundation for sponsoring this episode of Independent Rx Forum.
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Fly-in 2026 is here!
Independent Rx Forum
NCPA President Kristen Riddle sits down with host Sam Manas for a pre-NCPA Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In check-in. They discuss what it’s like for a pharmacist to go to Capitol Hill, what attendees can look forward to, and how to make the most of your time in Washington, D.C.
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A1C Down, Refills Up: The Case for Pharmacy-Based DSME
Independent Rx Forum
This week’s guest, Julie Bromberg, is an independent public health researcher with an MA in heath communications and 15 years of experience with the CDC and NIH. She joins host John Becker to discuss the sustainability of pharmacy-based diabetes self-management education programming. Bromberg shares details of her research, including the needs and challenges of providing DSME, and offers actionable solutions for independent pharmacies to...
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Fly-in 2026: NCPA's Policy Priorities Part 2
Independent Rx Forum
Host John Beckner sits down in the studio with NCPA Director of Congressional Affairs David Weissman for part two of our Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In priorities series. Weissman gives an overview of the schedule and what to expect when attending your meetings on Capitol Hill. Additionally, they discuss our legislative priorities including the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, RX ACCESS Act, and Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act.
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Fly-in 2026: NCPA's Policy Priorities Part 1
Independent Rx Forum
One week out from NCPA’s Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, host John Beckner sits down in the studio with NCPA Director of Congressional Affairs Kaite Krell to discuss this year’s policy priorities. Krell provides insights on the ins and outs of the advocacy team’s fly-in preparation and shares details on three of our five policy priorities: thanking Congress for PBM reform, Medicaid managed care reform, and the reintroduction of Patients Before Monopolies. Only a few spots remain. To register for fly-in, . Part two of NCPA’s fly-in policy priorities will be out on Thursday, April 9....
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Welcome to the NCPA studio!
Independent Rx Forum
For the first time, Independent Rx Forum is on video in the studio! Host Sam Manas sits down with NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey to discuss the new media studio at NCPA headquarters. They cover the history of NCPA’s podcast and discuss the future of content for community pharmacy. Starting today, NCPA’s podcast is available to stream on YouTube and our website in addition to wherever you get your podcasts to our channel to be the first to watch new episodes. Tune in:
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Mobilizing the States: NCPA's Expert Panel Takes on Medicaid
Independent Rx Forum
Joel Kurzman, NCPA director of state government affairs, sits down with John Coster, former director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Division of Pharmacy, to discuss NCPA’s new State Panel of Experts and state Medicaid reform efforts. With the support of CPA, NCPA has gathered experts from pharmacy and policy to assist state associations in their efforts around the most pressing issues facing community pharmacists. Learn more about the panel here:
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Dispensing Intelligence: Integrating AI Into Your Pharmacy Practice
Independent Rx Forum
In this episode, host John Beckner is joined by Harry Travis, BSPharm, to discuss the intersection of AI and pharmacy. Harry outlines a three-tier approach to implementing AI into community pharmacy and emphasizes the potential of AI to innovate and optimize productivity, rather than replacing the role of pharmacy employees.
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Patients: 1, PBMs: 0
Independent Rx Forum
Host John Beckner sits down with Stephen Giroux, NCPA’s past president and current PAC chairman and NCPA’s political affairs manager, Jack Koltisko, to celebrate the Federal Trade Commission settlement with Cigna and PBM reforms included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. They discuss NCPA’s ongoing advocacy priorities and the role our members play in the NCPA PAC and LDF. Listeners are encouraged to for NCPA’s Congressional Fly-In, April 15-16, 2026.
info_outlineHost John Beckner sits down with Jeffrey Bratberg, PharmD, FAPhA, clinical professor of pharmacy practice and clinical research at the University of Rhode Island (URI) College of Pharmacy, and Michelle Caetano, PharmD, grant coordinator at the URI College of Pharmacy, to discuss the founding of Pharmacy Bridge — a one-stop resource for pharmacists to find state-specific laws and data related to administering care for opioid use disorder.