Independent Rx Forum

Welcome to Independent Rx Forum with RxConnexion and National Community Pharmacists Association. The leading advocate and business education resource for America's independent pharmacists.

Inside the Newly Improved Community Pharmacy Fellowship 12/20/2025

Inside the Newly Improved Community Pharmacy Fellowship Host John Beckner is joined by Drew Register, director of student affairs and professional development at NCPA, Charlotte Nazar, an executive resident at NCPA, and Tiffany Capps, practice transformations lead at CPESN®, to discuss the newly enhanced Community Pharmacy Fellowship from NCPA and CPESN. The conversation explores how the fellowship was developed, what’s new in the program — including a stronger focus on medication synchronization — and what prospective applicants need to know before applications are due Jan. 31, 2026. Learn more about fellowship: /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/39460540

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Fair Pricing for Type 2 Diabetes Care 12/16/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Fair Pricing for Type 2 Diabetes Care Coming to you from the #NCPA2025 expo floor, host John Beckner and co-host Ed Cohen talk with Brian Connelly, president and CEO of TheracosBio, about Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin), an FDA-approved oral SGLT2 inhibitor for adults with Type 2 diabetes. They discuss how the company’s model bypasses PBMs to offer pharmacists and patients a fair, transparent price. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/39269200

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Connecting Remotely with Patients 12/12/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Connecting Remotely with Patients Recorded live at #NCPA2025, host John Beckner and co-host Ed Cohen talk with Leanne Haley-Brown, CPESN® Pharmacy Care at Home and Closed Door Facility Care lead, about practical and sustainable ways pharmacists can remotely monitor patients and deliver care in their homes. The conversation highlights how these models expand access for people living in rural or underserved areas with limited health care resources. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/39269165

Looking Back: Five Years Since Rutledge 12/09/2025

Looking Back: Five Years Since Rutledge In this special edition of Independent Rx Forum, NCPA General Counsel Matt Seiler is joined by Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Hon. Nicholas Bronni, Robert T. Smith, a partner the law firm Katten and a specialist in PBM litigation, and Arkansas Pharmacists Association CEO John Vinson to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Case Rutledge v. PCMA. Listen now to find out how the case affected PBM regulation nationwide, and how it will affect future cases. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/39326180

Connecting with “Difficult” Patients 12/06/2025

Connecting with “Difficult” Patients Host John Beckner sits down with Bruce Berger, PhD, president of Berger Consulting LLC and. emeritus professor at Auburn University, to discuss how health care providers can better connect with “difficult” patients and apply motivational interviewing techniques to build trust. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/39269125

Navigating the WAC Reductions 11/26/2025

Navigating the WAC Reductions In this episode, host John Beckner sits down with Ronna Hauser, NCPA’s senior vice president of policy and pharmacy affairs, and Mark Ey, RPh, senior vice president and COO, about how recent wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) reductions are reshaping the market — and what independent pharmacists can do now to protect their margins. They break down what’s driving these changes, and the practical steps pharmacies can take to save thousands of dollars. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/39155145

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Inside the Winning Student Business Plan 11/25/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Inside the Winning Student Business Plan We have a winner! Host John Beckner and co-host Ed Cohen sit down with Rachel Helbling, pharmacy student at the University of Texas at Austin and captain of the winning team in the 22nd annual Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. Recorded live at #NCPA2025, Helbling discusses how her team prepared, what made their plan stand out, and lessons learned along the way. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38913485

A New Look at Pharmacy Access 11/22/2025

A New Look at Pharmacy Access Host John Beckner sits down with Ronna Hauser, senior vice president of policy and pharmacy affairs at NCPA, and Jessica Satterfield, associate director of policy and pharmacy affairs at NCPA, to unpack the growing impact of pharmacy closures nationwide. They discuss NCPA and USC’s interactive Pharmacy Shortage Areas Mapping Tool, now available to the public for the first time, and explain how it reveals access gaps, informs policymakers, and helps communities understand where pharmacy deserts are emerging. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/39113485

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Expanding Immunization Access Through Pharmacy 11/18/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Expanding Immunization Access Through Pharmacy Marc Ost, owner of Eric’s Rx Shoppe, joins host John Beckner and co-host Ed Cohen during #NCPA2025 to discuss how pharmacy-provided immunization services have evolved, the critical role pharmacists play in vaccine access, and why these services continue to matter for public health. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38913440

ICYMI #NCPA2025: CPESN® Luminary of the Year 11/11/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2025: CPESN® Luminary of the Year Coming to you from the #NCPA2025 expo floor, host John Beckner and co-host Ed Cohen chat with Kevin Day, PharmD, owner of Day’s Pharmacies and CPESN® Luminary of the Year, about how a team-based care mindset is improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of community pharmacy. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38913395

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Practice Transformation Insights 11/04/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2025: Practice Transformation Insights Recorded live at #NCPA2025, host John Beckner and co-host Ed Cohen sit down with Megan Smith, associate professor of community practice and director of the community pharmacy residency program at the University of Arkansas. They explore what practice transformation really looks like today and how the ACT Pharmacy Collaborative is shaping the future of community pharmacy. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38898555

Vaccine Voices: Caring for Neurodivergent Patients 10/17/2025

Vaccine Voices: Caring for Neurodivergent Patients Pharmacists are in a unique position to make vaccination experiences more inclusive for neurodivergent patients. In this episode of Vaccine Voices, host John Beckner speaks with Danielle Hall, director of health equity at the Autism Society of America, and Mayank Amin, PharmD, chief pharmacist advocate and owner of Skippack Pharmacy, about practical ways pharmacies can create sensory-friendly spaces, improve communication, and foster trust within their communities. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38597380

Insights on the Education for #NCPA2025 10/10/2025

Insights on the Education for #NCPA2025 Get the scoop on the education programming for NCPA’s Annual Convention in New Orleans! Elise Damman, director of program development, sits down with host John Beckner to share how her team builds these sessions — from identifying member needs to curating speakers and shaping CE opportunities. Learn about the process behind developing programs that deliver practical takeaways for pharmacy owners and their teams. Register for #NCPA2025 in the Big Easy: /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38516685

Inside the NCPA Innovation Center/CPESN® Fellowship 10/07/2025

Inside the NCPA Innovation Center/CPESN® Fellowship Ever been curious about the NCPA Innovation Center/CPESN® Community Pharmacy Fellowship? Now’s your chance to hear from Drew Register, director of the fellowship program, as he sits down with host John Beckner. Get answers to your questions and insights into how this program is shaping the future of independent pharmacy. Learn more: /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38440050

LTC at Home: The Role of CPESN® 09/16/2025

LTC at Home: The Role of CPESN® 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38102110

Vaccine Voices: Technicians’ Roles in Immunizations 09/04/2025

Vaccine Voices: Technicians’ Roles in Immunizations 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. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/38077035

Overcoming Disaster from Coast to Coast Part 3 08/27/2025

Overcoming Disaster from Coast to Coast Part 3 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 . She shares her journey into community pharmacy and how she weathered Hurricane Helene while supporting her community through the aftermath. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/37880625

Overcoming Disaster from Coast to Coast Part 2 08/20/2025

Overcoming Disaster from Coast to Coast Part 2 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/37880470

Overcoming disaster from Coast to Coast 08/05/2025

Overcoming disaster from Coast to Coast 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. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/37636970

Care Coordination 06/11/2025

Care Coordination 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36942990

Victory for Virginia Pharmacies 06/03/2025

Victory for Virginia Pharmacies 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. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36795040

PBM Reform in Alabama 05/29/2025

PBM Reform in Alabama 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 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36680020

Big Beautiful Update: NCPA Priority Passes House 05/27/2025

Big Beautiful Update: NCPA Priority Passes House 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. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36694105

Empower Pharmacists, Unlock Potential 05/20/2025

Empower Pharmacists, Unlock Potential 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 . 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36579425

Community Connected 05/13/2025

Community Connected 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 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36361820

Vaccine Voices: Patient-Centered and Profitable 05/06/2025

Vaccine Voices: Patient-Centered and Profitable 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36361055

Capitol Hill this week: an inside look 05/02/2025

Capitol Hill this week: an inside look 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 . Hosted by Sam Manas (). 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 (). Samuel Manas Associate Director of Communications National Community Pharmacists Association Phone: (443) 310-1761 Save the date for our . Registration opens on June 5. /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36415290

ICYMI #NCPA2024: CPESN’s Value 04/29/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2024: CPESN’s Value 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36298660

Our message to DOGE 04/25/2025

Our message to DOGE qAM is NCPA's weekday email newsletter. Subscribe at . Hosted by Sam Manas (). Today's stories: NCPA urges DOGE to focus on PBMs for waste, fraud, and abuse - PhRMA report: 25 percent tariff could hike prices by up to 12.9 percent - Ohio shows PBM and Medicaid reforms save money - For more information on our Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, please visit our website here: 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 (). /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36316925

ICYMI #NCPA2024: LTC at Home 04/24/2025

ICYMI #NCPA2024: LTC at Home 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 /episode/index/show/2fcd086f-723d-4c8e-9885-ebcd39e1d7da/id/36262305

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