This Week in Pharmacy

Celebrating the Launch of American Pharmacists Month 2025 | TWIRx

Celebrating the Launch of American Pharmacists Month 2025“Caring for our Communities”
This Week in Pharmacy (TWIRx)
Friday, October 3, 2025
Episode Overview
Today marks the kickoff of American Pharmacists Month 2025, a time to recognize the essential role pharmacists play across all healthcare settings. This special TWIRx episode spotlights leaders and innovators shaping pharmacy practice, technology, and patient care — and challenges the profession to embrace a 31-day journey of advocacy, community connection, and transformation.TWIRx NEWSFormer Rep. Tiahrt: Pharmacy Benefit Manager bill could shut down CVS in Kansas | Opinion Read more at:https://www.kansas.com/opinion/guest-commentary/article312355904.html#storylink=cpyNeronha lawsuit against CVS Caremark can help save my Middletown pharmacy: Guest Viewhttps://www.newportri.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2025/10/03/neronha-lawsuit-against-cvs-can-help-save-middletown-pharmacy-guest-view/86471928007/ 
 
FDA Approves Lurbinectedin Combination Regimen in Extensive-Stage SCLC https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fda-approves-lurbinectedin-combination-regimen-in-extensive-stage-sclc 
Building an Opioid Stewardship Program in Cancer Care: Pharmacist Roles, Challenges, and Patient Safety
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/building-an-opioid-stewardship-program-in-cancer-care-pharmacist-roles-challenges-and-patient-safety 
Featured Guests
Dr. Jesse McCullough, PharmDFounder, Keystone Pharmacy InsightsIntroducing the American Pharmacists Month 31-Day Challenge, a call to action for pharmacists to engage, educate, and elevate their communities.
Bil SchmidtknechtPatient ProtectorSharing insights on patient advocacy, protecting access to care, and the pharmacist’s role in navigating today’s healthcare complexities.
 
Dr. Devin Bustin, MDChief Medical Officer, OvaryIt
Dr. Lissette Logan, PharmDCOO, OvaryItTogether, Dr. Bustin and Dr. Logan discuss innovative pharmacist-driven care models, treatment tracking, and platforms like PRISM designed to ensure pharmacists are recognized — and reimbursed — for their expertise.
 
Dr. Jill Kolesar, PharmDDean, College of Pharmacy, The University of IowaHighlighting the future of pharmacy education and how academia is preparing the next generation for expanded clinical and community roles.
Dr. Jason Lang, PharmDWellgisticsExploring the logistics and supply chain innovations that keep pharmacies agile in serving patient needs, especially as new therapies and technologies emerge.
WELLGISTICS News: https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/wellgistics-health-nasdaq-wgrx-and-theracosbio-partner-to-expand-nati-1079815 
SUBSCRIBE TO TWIRx HERE: 
https://open.spotify.com/show/52NZjr9asE8fLrrbsMvBlQ 
Celebrating the Launch of American Pharmacists Month 2025 | TWIRx 

Trust Matters, Cell and Gene, & World Pharmacists Day | TWIRx

On "This Week in Pharmacy" for September 26th, we're talking about Trust in Healthcare, World Pharmacists Day, and Cell & Gene Therapy.Today's co-host is Dr. Melissa Smith, PharmD CPH with Florida PGx Consulting LLC. https://www.floridapgxconsulting.com/ First, #TWIRx News - the FDA approves Inluriyo imlunestrant on 9/25/2025 which is to treat estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, estrogen receptor-1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following at least one line of endocrine therapy.(https://www.fda.gov/drugs/novel-drug-approvals-fda/novel-drug-approvals-2025) Second, Nested-Knowledge - is going to revolutionize information access and leverage. This is a powerful tool with evidence synthesis tools for medical researchers. This will help accelerate, collaborate, automate and share the latest and personalized treatment plans.(https://nested-knowledge.com/)Next, announcing "Evidence based Podcasting", the new standard in audio learning for Providers and next level in podcast Continuing Medical Education (CME).(https://pharmacypodcast.com/2025/09/26/evidence-based-podcasting-and-the-future-of-medical-education/ )Shout out to Nick Calla with Orsini, a leader in rare disease pharmacy solutions, has been chosen by Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as a specialty pharmacy partner for PALSONIFY™ (paltusotine), a nonpeptide, selectively-targeted somatostatin receptor type 2 nonpeptide (SST2) agonist.(https://www.wvnews.com/news/around_the_web/partners/pr_newswire/subject/licensing_marketing_agreements/orsini-selected-as-specialty-pharmacy-partner-for-crinetics-palsonify-paltusotine/article_9b42bfe7-69a6-58be-98ff-5e2245145415.html)Today we have two guest Pharmacists to dig into the "Trust in Healthcare" theme of today's #TWIRx -- the godfather of Functional Pharmacy Robert Kress RPh., and Dr. Lauren Castle, PharmD, MS, AFMC - Founder & CEO of Functional Medicine Pharmacists Alliance. Who do you trust? What information is trustworthy and why? 
Our special feature is updates on 'Cell & Gene Therapy' with McKesson's Head of Cell Gene Advanced Therapies, Joe DePinto at InspiroGene!  (https://inspirogene.com/) Today's TWIRx is sponsored by 'Sykes & Company' the Pharmacy Accounting Jedi Masters and Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC) and how they're revolutionzing digital health and new revenues with the iCare+ System! 
 
Trust Matters, Cell and Gene, & World Pharmacists Day | TWIRx

From Analytics to Access: Technology that Transforms Affordability | TWIRx

Inmar Intelligence is a data-driven technology company that provides solutions for retail, healthcare, and supply chain industries. They specialize in optimizing promotions, managing digital couponing, and offering point-of-sale analytics for retailers. In healthcare, they focus on pharmaceutical returns, claims processing, and marketing. In supply chain, they help with inventory management and reverse logistics. Their data analytics platform uses AI to help businesses make smarter decisions, improve efficiency, and drive growth.TailorMed, led by CEO Srulik Dvorsky , is a healthcare technology company that focuses on helping patients manage the financial aspects of their medical care. The platform offers personalized financial assistance, helping patients find and access financial resources like insurance coverage, financial aid programs, and discounts to reduce out-of-pocket medical costs.
Here are the key services TailorMed provides: 
1. Financial Assistance for Patients:TailorMed helps patients navigate complex healthcare billing by identifying available financial aid, grants, discounts, and programs to reduce treatment costs.
2. Cost Transparency:
The platform provides clear information on medical costs, helping patients understand their financial responsibilities and options for managing high healthcare expenses.
3. Technology-Driven Solution:TailorMed uses technology to automate the process of identifying financial resources and integrating these solutions into healthcare providers' systems, making it easier for providers to offer financial help to patients.
 

The Fully Powered Event & Rated Rx Podcasting | TWIRx

On 'This Week in Pharmacy' we're talking about the "Fully Powered Event" with Dr. Christina Fontana, we jump into TWIRx News with Andy Crawford from Keysource, preparing for the NASP 2025 in Denver & welcome the Rated Rx Podcast to the PPN!TWIRx News includes:Massachusetts governor orders pharmacies to make COVID shots accessible - from CBS News Hims & Hers stock jumps on Novo Nordisk GLP-1 partnership - from AOL Finance The oldest pharmacy in Texas closes after 153 years - from DeWitt County Today This episode is sponsored by Keysource and Sykes & Company, thank you for supporting the only weekly news podcast in pharmacy, this is TWIRx!! 

AI & Tech in Pharmacy & the Health Podcast Summit | TWIRx

AI & Tech in Pharmacy & the Health Podcast Summit | TWIRx
This week on TWIRx, we dive into how technology, artificial intelligence, and innovative media are shaping the future of pharmacy. From specialty pharmacy operations to digital health engagement and independent pharmacy innovation, our guests bring timely insights you won’t want to miss.TWIRx News
FIP calls on authorities to ‘think humanity, think pharmacy
https://ajp.com.au/news/fip-calls-on-authorities-to-think-humanity-think-pharmacy/ 
Iowa pharmacists are in demand as they try to fill healthcare provider gap
https://www.radioiowa.com/2025/08/20/iowa-pharmacists-are-in-demand-as-they-try-to-fill-healthcare-provider-gap/Nuvem Continues to Expand Leadership Team to Accelerate Pharmacy Service Model for Community Health Providershttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250820045021/en/Nuvem-Continues-to-Expand-Leadership-Team-to-Accelerate-Pharmacy-Service-Model-for-Community-Health-Providers 
 
Featured Guest: Shaun Jensen, CEO of JB Consulting
Topic: How Will Tech & AI Advance Specialty Pharmacy?
The specialty pharmacy system is in flux—what platforms show real stability to build the future?
Emerging use cases of AI in specialty pharmacy: clinical decision support, adherence optimization, and patient engagement.
The role of AI in specialty trade relations and research, driving efficiency and better outcomes for providers, manufacturers, and patients.
Daniel Couchman Kendall, CEO of Mission Based Media
Topic: Announcing the Health Podcast Summit
Introducing the Health Podcast Summit — the first global event dedicated exclusively to the intersection of health and podcasting.
October 1–2, 2025 | Virtual Event | Free Registration at HealthPodcastSummit.com
Learn evidence-based, human-centered frameworks for creating and growing health podcasts.
Hear from industry leaders worldwide transforming patient engagement, professional education, and health outcomes through podcasting.
On-demand replays available for registered attendees.
Ketan Mehta, CEO of PrimeRx
Topic: PrimeRx User Conference 2025 – XPLORE
October 10–11, 2025 | The Westin Jersey City Newport
Xplore by PrimeRx — an exclusive user conference designed for independent pharmacy professionals, healthcare innovators, and industry leaders.
Explore pharmacy management strategies, technology advancements, and digital healthcare solutions that will shape the future of independent pharmacy.
A chance to connect with peers, learn from experts, and prepare for the evolving pharmacy landscape.
🎧 Tune in for expert perspectives and actionable insights that show where pharmacy is headed. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to This Week in Pharmacy (TWIRx) on your favorite podcast platform.

Pills to Purpose | TWIRx

This week on TWIRx, we cover the latest headlines shaping pharmacy care, followed by three powerful interviews spotlighting innovation, advocacy, and access.
TWIRx News:
13WHAM ABC News: Health Center Turns Away Patients as Medicaid Approval Stalls Pharmacy Services – A troubling look at how bureaucratic delays are cutting off critical access to care for vulnerable populations.
Pharmacy Times: Pharmacists’ Knowledge Gaps on Kratom: Building Competence for Patient Counseling – Why pharmacists need more education to better guide patients on the risks and benefits of this controversial substance.
Pharmacy Times: Navigating Biosimilars and 505(b)(2) Drugs in Oncology – Operational, clinical, and policy strategies to help pharmacists drive adoption and improve cancer care access.
Featured Interviews:
Ritesh Shah – Founder, Ritesh Shah Charitable PharmacyAuthor of Pills to Purpose: From the Pharmacy to the Frontlines: Healing Beyond the Counter, Ritesh shares his journey from personal loss to creating New Jersey’s first charitable pharmacy—ensuring life-saving medications reach those most in need with dignity and compassion.
Bonnie Bonds – Sykes & CompanyLive from the 2025 ThoughtSpot Conference, Bonnie brings insights on the financial strategies independent pharmacies need to grow, adapt, and thrive.
Srulik Dvorsky – CEO & Co-founder, TailorMedHow technology is being used to eliminate financial barriers to care and connect patients with the resources they need to afford treatment.
Sponsored by: Sykes & Company – Helping pharmacies succeed with expert accounting, tax, and advisory services.
🎧 Listen now for the news, perspectives, and inspiration driving the pharmacy profession forward.
 
"Pills to Purpose" is a book and the name of Ritesh Shah's charitable pharmacy. The book, "Pills to Purpose: From the Pharmacy to the Frontlines: Healing Beyond the Counter", is a memoir about Ritesh Shah's journey from personal loss to founding New Jersey's first charitable pharmacy, Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy. The pharmacy's mission is to provide access to life-saving medications for those in need, ensuring they are treated with dignity and compassion. The book highlights the power of service and how individual actions can create a movement for positive change, according to a post on Amazon.

Beyond the Ledger: How AI & Accounting Impacts Pharmacy Growth | TWIRx

In this episode of TWIRx, we explore how pharmacy accounting has evolved from basic bookkeeping into a strategic business development tool powered by artificial intelligence, data analytics, and specialized accounting expertise. Pharmacy owner & PPN Podcast Host Dr. Adam Robinson and Titan Accounting’s team members Nicholas Caltabiano & Jordan Pridemore dig into what modern pharmacy owners must understand to stay financially healthy and competitive in today’s complex marketplace. Learn more by going to Titan's website: https://titanswork.com/home 
 
Next, we talk with CEO & Founder of RxInsider, Gregory Cianfarani RPh, sharing the Colleges of Pharmacy Report 2025. RXinsider’s Market Intelligence Group produces weekly newsletters, market reports, and specialty INTEL Reports covering various segments of the pharmacy ecosystem—including an exclusive report on colleges of pharmacy. 
 
Find the full report here: 
https://ebook.rxinsider.com/flip-book/37174/2065397

The Silent Threat: Diversion of Non-Controlled Substances in Healthcare | TWIRx

This Week in Pharmacy – July 25, 2025
Episode Summary:This week, we spotlight a growing but often overlooked threat to patient safety and healthcare integrity: the diversion of non-controlled substances. While most discussions around drug diversion focus on controlled substances, a troubling pattern has emerged involving medications not classified as controlled—yet still susceptible to misuse, theft, and exploitation.
Our guest is Alan McGill, a Senior Supervisory Special Agent with over 30 years of investigative experience, including 23 years in law enforcement. Agent McGill is a nationally recognized expert on drug diversion, having trained thousands across healthcare and law enforcement. In this episode, he sheds light on how non-controlled substances are being diverted within healthcare settings, why it’s happening more frequently, and what pharmacies and healthcare systems must do to detect and prevent it.
We explore:
Common myths about non-controlled medications and diversion risk
Real-world cases and investigative red flags
Compliance blind spots in retail and institutional pharmacy settings
Actionable recommendations for pharmacists, techs, and healthcare leadership
The role of education, oversight, and reporting in stopping this silent epidemic
Plus, Agent McGill discusses his work with NASCSA and offers insight into how national policy and local practices can align to protect both patients and professionals.
Don’t miss this essential conversation for pharmacy leaders, compliance officers, and healthcare professionals committed to medication safety.
🎧 Listen now and stay informed. 📢 Brought to you by IPC and iCare+, supporting pharmacy excellence and compliance integrity.
 

What Do Racing Dragsters & Pharmacy Ownership Have in Common? | TWIRx

This week's TWIRx puts the pedal to the metal—literally. Host Todd Eury dives into the surprising parallels between racing 150+ MPH and building a pharmacy business from the ground up. Special guest Charles Hoopes, co-owner of S&H Motorsports, joins the show alongside Stephen Beckman, CEO of YARAL Pharma, to preview the upcoming “Geezer Race” on Saturday, July 19th, sponsored by YARAL.
Charles shares the intense highs and lows of becoming a drag racing team owner—from financial risk to the emotional rollercoaster of chasing a dream. His story mirrors the grit and resilience required to own and operate an independent pharmacy today.
🎙️ Pharmacy + Precision Medicine Spotlight:We also welcome Dr. Melissa Smith, PharmD, founder of Florida PGX Consulting, who’s speaking at the Florida Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting in Orlando this weekend. Melissa gives us a preview of her presentations and shares her role as press correspondent for the Pharmacy Podcast Network at FPA.RXinsider's latest Market Intelligence report on the current state of the job market as it pertains to the Pharmacy500 companies in the pharmacy supply chain. We walk with Jeff Rackliff, Jr. Market Analyst at RXinsider. 
Special thanks to Stacy Hall and the Florida Pharmacy Association for their continued support of our coverage and advocacy efforts.
🎧 Sponsored by:YARAL Pharma – Advancing quality generics and supporting pharmacy innovation.
📍 Don't miss this fast-paced, inspiring episode about what it takes to chase your dream—whether you're behind the counter or behind the wheel.
#TWIRx #PharmacyPodcast #PharmacyOwnership #DragRacing #YARALPharma #FloridaPharmacy #PGx #FPA2025 #CompoundingDreams #GeezerRace

Breaking down the One Big Beautiful Bill & a 15 Year Celebration of Pharmacy Marketing | TWIRx

In this episode of TWIRx, we break down H.R. 1 — The One Big Beautiful Bill Act — and what it could mean for the future of pharmacy in America. From PBM reform and drug pricing transparency to Medicaid restructuring and NADAC expansion, this bill carries enormous implications for community pharmacy, behavioral health services, and specialty care.
Joining us to unpack the real-world impact of this legislation are two influential voices in the pharmacy space:
Ryan Paul Liabenow, CEO of Mango Health, a behavioral health specialty pharmacy redefining care models for patients with complex mental health needs. Ryan shares insight into how fairer reimbursement models and drug cost transparency could unlock new clinical and economic opportunities for pharmacies serving vulnerable populations.
Nicolle McClure, President & CEO of GRx Marketing, marks her 15-year milestone as one of the most respected voices in independent pharmacy marketing. Nicolle discusses how pharmacy communication must evolve in this new legislative landscape—and why strategic messaging, patient education, and digital storytelling are now more critical than ever.
We also explore the potential challenges H.R. 1 brings, including the administrative burden of NADAC compliance and the tension between progressive pharmacy reforms and simultaneous Medicaid restrictions. Will increased oversight and transparency finally tip the scale in favor of independent pharmacies—or will coverage erosion undercut the gains?
Don’t miss this timely discussion on what may be the most consequential pharmacy bill in decades—and how forward-thinking pharmacy leaders are preparing for what's next.
 
sponsored by IPCRx.com