PUTTcast | Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency

Independent pharmacies are being put through the wringer, especially with Medicare - but what if they could take back their power?   Listen in as Monique Whitney hosts a serious discussion with PUTT Board President Deborah Keaveny & the founder of WayPointRx’s Pharmacy Insurance Group Ben Coakley on why and how pharmacies can (and should!) get paid to do what they’re already doing - counseling patients. The difference? As an agent for their patients’ health insurance.

What happens when 2 of social media’s leading patient advocates get together on the PUTTcast? (spoiler alert: it involves a lot of great information!) Listen in as Monique Whitney is joined by patient advocacy powerhouses Beth Waldron and Loretta Boesing for a discussion on medication access issues, formularies, and even the pharmacy business model - public pressure for PBM reform can only increase when these advocates get their say.   ICYMI March 5, 2024 White House Listening Session on PBM Reform

TransparencyRx is a coalition of PBMs that do NOT align with the evil acronym! Listen in as PUTTcast co-hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young are joined by TransparencyRx founder and Managing Director, Joe Shields and APCI General Counsel, Greg Reybold, for an honest discussion on what a transparent pass-through PBM really is (and is not!), and why the coalition fully supports reform legislation - because, no matter what the big traditional PBMs claim to be doing on behalf of their clients, the data always tells a different story. 

From DIR fees, hangovers and lawsuits, to “delinking” legislation, state-level victories, and federal agency scorecards - join co-hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young as they break down PBM reform in the new year, how it can affect independent pharmacies, and how it would benefit everyone.   Special Guests: Greg Reybold, General Counsel, APCI & Steve Moore, Owner, Condo Pharmacy

Dr. Dan Hussar, Dean Emeritus, Remington Professor Emeritus, & author of The Pharmacist Activist joins the PUTTcast this month to share his thoughts on the evolution of pharmacy & pharmacy education, present “moral injuries” to the industry, and why, according to him, independent pharmacists are the heart and soul of the pharmacy profession.

The PBM Express Scripts recently asked to convene an independent pharmacy advisory group to determine how PBMs could be better “partners” with independent pharmacies - PUTT responded with a comprehensive letter outlining many of the issues pharmacies confront in their daily dealings with PBM “partnerships”... this month, the PUTTcast is taking that conversation a step further.   Join Monique Whitney, PUTT President Deborah Keaveny, and special guest pharmacy owners EpicRx CEO Brian Hose, and MPA past President Jerry Callahan as they take a deep dive into pharmacy/PBM business relationships, including how they affect:  drug pricing;  patient care;  all forms of pharmacy including the chains, and;  why FTC and legislative intervention is critical to addressing many of the issues.    Because, to quote PUTT President Deborah Keaveny, “no pharmacy can provide quality patient care if it cannot generate sufficient revenue to conduct its daily operations.”   To read PUTT’s official letter to Express Scripts click here

A lawyer is a lawyer… right? Wrong. Pharmacy law is one of the most complex areas of law in the United States. But what does that have to do with advocacy? Or running an independent pharmacy?   Join Monique Whitney as she talks pharmacy law, its intricacies, and how it relates to advocacy with pharmacy legal gurus Mark Boesen & Allyson Snow of Boesen & Snow law firm. If you have an interest in pharmacy law (or simply want to avoid the necessity of a pharmacy lawyer) this is one episode you do not want to miss!

What does the IRA really achieve when it comes to prescription medications? What are its effects on independent pharmacies, the 340B program, or even DIR fees? What parts of the equation are missing, and what inclusions would make the IRA better for everyone?   Listen in as PUTTcast hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young take a deep dive into the answers to these questions and many more with special guest American Pharmacies General Counsel, Miguel Rodriguez.

The triangle of care that should exist between patients, pharmacists & physicians has been under deadly fire from healthcare private corporatization for decades. As independent pharmacy healthcare providers, is there a way to stem the bleeding?   This month’s special guest Jeffrey Lewis, President and CEO of the Legacy Health Endowment and the EMC Health Foundation, might just have one. Both Legacy Health and EMC Health are nonprofits that are able to raise and provide funding for patients, independent pharmacies, and even students in their local area - using fundraising tactics based squarely in advocacy. It just goes to show, there’s always a solution… it just may not be the most obvious one!

With more than 30 bills in progress this session at the federal level alone, PBM reform is barreling down the legislative tracks - but what's the best way to get legislation and enforcement across the finish line? Listen in as PUTT Executive Director, Monique Whitney, and Board Vice President, Lauren Young dive into the past, present, and (possible) future of PBM reform, who's getting it done, and why continuing to educate and follow through with legislation enforcement is such a critical component.

Legislative season may be winding down, but advocates are ramping up for education season!   Listen in as PUTTcast hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young welcome advocacy guru AIDS Healthcare Foundation's Associate Director of Advocacy, John Farina to the mic. From creative campaigns to the importance of educating legislative staff - effective advocacy never sleeps!

From pharmacy software to pharmacies themselves - the thing that sets independently owned small business healthcare apart from multi billion dollar corporations is an inextinguishable passion for their patients.    Listen in as co-hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young take a deep dive into what it takes to make independent pharmacy successful with special guests Kevin Minassian & Sarah Callioras of Datascan Pharmacy Software. From ensuring patient satisfaction and pharmacy staff happiness, to alternative revenue streams and openly joining forces; when it comes to PBM abuse of the system, shared goals and a unified front are the only way we will win this fight!   Click Here to learn more about Datascan Pharmacy Software   To learn more about Pharmacists United for Truth & Transparency, visit our website TruthRx.org

PBMs make it a habit to use PSAOs as a scapegoat for a variety of issues in pharmacy - but what really is a PSAO?  Listen in as Monique Whitney, speaks with independent pharmacy owner and former APA CEO, Scott Pace, and EPIC VP of Network Development, Gretta Ginsteinner. It's a frank discussion about what PSAOs are, what they are not, and why dispelling the myths and misinformation is so important.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 171 pieces of PBM legislation have been filed in 40 states this session. Listen in as PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney, APRx VP of Government Affairs Michael Wright, and PUTT Board VP Lauren Young, discuss what's in the hopper, on the horizon, and why continuing to advocate throughout legislation's dynamic process is so important.

Through jubilant wins and gut punching losses, the pharmacists of New York never give up. Listen in as PUTTcast host Lauren Young digs into the upcoming positive changes under New York's new Medicaid carve out, and PSSNY's inexhaustible fight to get it across the finish line.   Special Guests: Heather Ferrarese, President, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York Steve Moore, Owner, Condo Pharmacy, Past President, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York Greg Reybold, Director of Healthcare Policy & General Counsel, ACPI

What happens when the President of the Infusion Access Foundation and the Arizona Advocacy Chair of the American Diabetes Association discuss PBM interference in patient care with PUTTcast host Monique Whitney? An enlightening discussion on the science of biologics, the fake math behind PBM cost-savings claims, and how the PBM "legalized supply chain mafia" turns patients into collateral damage in favor of higher profits.   Guests: Brian Nyquist, President Infusion Access Foundation, President & CEO, National Infusion Center Association Julie Hoffman, Advocacy Chair, American Diabetes Association Arizona, Leadership Council member, Diabetes Coalition of Arizona

From safety issues to retaliatory tactics against their own employees, our nation's largest chain pharmacies are steadily dropping in reputation, putting their pharmacists and pharmacy staff in the increasingly precarious position of good people trapped in an awful situation.   Listen in as PUTTcast host Monique Whitney speaks with Anais Webster Mennuti and Kim Kessler from the independent documentary that's blowing the lid off America's pharmacy problems: "Would You Like Shots with That?". It's an ear-opening discussion that brings atrocities out in the open, humanizes what really goes on behind chain pharmacy counters, and makes the case for why you should care - because at the end of the day, we are all patients.   To learn more about the "Would You Like Shots with That?" documentary or to watch the trailer, visit their website at https://wouldyoulikeshotswiththat.com/

Independent pharmacies in the 340B program can encounter areas of deeply gratifying patient care and intensely daunting confusion in a single breath - but is it possible to make sense of the system?   Listen in as PUTTcast host Monique Whitney engages in a frank discussion on the intricacies, benefits, and misconceptions of the 340B program with Secure340B experts Julie Crozier and Amanda Gaddy. If you're an independent pharmacy owner, this is one episode you do not want to miss!   Contact Secure340B for more information: www.secure340b.com  

From forced mail-order medication dangers to fail-first therapy requirements, non-medical medication switching, complaint filing confusion, high drug prices, and even coverage denials; most patients' issues with U.S. healthcare have one thing in common - PBMs. Listen in as co-hosts Monique Whitney & Scott Newman speak with powerhouse patient advocates Beth Waldron & Loretta Boesing. They'll discuss an array of important patient issues including how under the current system insurance coverage does not equal patient care, what PBM accountability should look like, and how grassroots organized patient groups could ultimately be the downfall of PBM greed-based practices.

Solid PR practices call for changing the conversation to one's advantage, but PCMA's recent OpEds based on a paid-for white paper are more than suspect.  Listen in as lobbyist & managing partner of Public Policy Partners Meghaen Della'Artino, and General Counsel for American Pharmacies Miguel Rodriguez, speak with PUTTcast host Monique Whitney about strategy, the current political arena, and how the power of grassroots and a constituent's voice can overcome the most well-funded PBM politics.

Finding Your Way: a Conversation with Dr. David Marley, PharmD   PUTT founder Dave Marley's recently released book is an exploration of his own extraordinary life. Listen in on this incredibly honest discussion that twists and turns through business ownership, addiction, pharmacy, family, and one man's journey that navigated it all.   Book: Finding Your Way by Dr. David Marley, PharmD

The force to align interests in prescription drug reform is greater than the status quo.   Every legislator, employer, union representative, and patient has questions and worries about prescription drug pricing. Listen in as PUTTcast host Monique Whitney discusses drug pricing, legislation, PBM tactics, and everything in between with Mark Blume, Executive Director of union-based America's Agenda and Managing Director of the newly formed PBM Accountability Project. It's an eye-opening conversation you don't want to miss!

How does pharmacy translate into politics? Listen in as our hosts Monique Whitney and PUTT board member Oliver Lackey chat with Oklahoma's Chris Schiller - the newest pharmacist vying for a Congressional seat.  Learn about "pharmacy politics", and the reasons why getting involved and educating our legislators on the real issues in healthcare are so critically important. In this Episode: Monique Whitney, PUTT Executive Director Oliver Lackey, PharmD, PUTT board member, Oklahoma Chris Schiller, PharmD www.schillerforcongress.com

The unethical business practices by PBMs when it comes to our nation's seniors run the gamut from unreasonable fees and metrics to underhanded pricing models and what could easily be considered larceny against taxpayers. Join PUTTcast co-hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young, with special guests Tim Hamrick and Greg Reybold of APCI to discuss the results of their explosive 3Axis study, possible outcomes of the proposed CMS rule change, and why moving prescription drug plans to a NADAC pricing model is so important for lowering costs and increasing transparency.

PUTTcast Episode 23 Where's the PATIENT in PBM Equations? Join PUTTcast hosts Monique Whitney and Scott Newman for an eye-opening conversation on the world of Oncology - where pharmacy benefit manager tactics cost patients far more than just their hard-earned dollars.  Special Guest: Ricky Newton, CFO, COO, Community Oncology Alliance 

Join PUTTcast hosts Monique Whitney & Lauren Young for a very special episode with #PizzaIsNotWorking founder Dr. Bled Tanoe, as they discuss problems and dangerous metrics in chain pharmacy, how advocating for pharmacy staff is critical to patient safety, and why real change can only happen when the profession of pharmacy unites regardless of workplace.

Listen in as host Monique Whitney speaks with special guests Dr. Benjamin Jolley and Deborah Keaveny about the vertical integration of healthcare, how it applies to antitrust, and possible steps state and federal governments can take to begin to combat the issue for pharmacies and their patients. Host:  Monique Whitney, PUTT Executive Director Special Guests:  Dr. Benjamin Jolley, PharmD Pharmacist, Pharmacy Consultant, Blogger  Deborah Keaveny, RPh Pharmacist, Pharmacy Owner, PUTT Board Member

Hosts:  Monique Whitney Scott Newman Panelists:   Danny Martinez, CPhA Deb Billingsley, OPhA Randal Johnson, LIPA

PUTTcast Episode 7:  Hosts: Monique Whitney, Scott Newman (PUTT President & VA pharmacy owner), Owen Sullivan (IL pharmacy owner & PUTT Board member) Special Guest: Dr. John Borzilleri Listen in for an "ear-opening" conversation with special guest Dr. John Borzilleri - a medical doctor and financial investment specialist who began filing whistleblower cases against PBM practices back in 2014. https://www.truthrx.org/puttcast.html  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PUTTcast Episode 6: The Legislative Value of Independent Pharmacy Associations Guests: David Osborne, Don Caffrey, Randal Johnson, & student intern Christopher LaGrange from LIPA Todd Brown of the Massachusetts Independent Pharmacists Association Sherine Joseph from Independent Pharmacies of Maryland Co-Hosts Monique Whitney & Lauren Young discuss the legislative value of state independent pharmacy associations with guests from LIPA, MIPA, and IPMD - three state independent pharmacy associations each in different stages of their development.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PUTTcast Episode 5 - Chatting with VPhA Guests: Christina Barrelle, Executive Director of VPhA, Howard Estes, Attorney & VPhA Lobbyist, Co-Hosts PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney & PUTT Board President Scott Newman PUTT chats with the Virginia Pharmacists Association about building relationships with state legislators, their recent win in PBM reform, and how they managed to catch the PBM lobby off guard to get things done. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PUTTcast Episode 4: The Boardcast Join us for frank discussions with a few of the PUTT Board Members about the effects of state politics on the business of pharmacy, and new paths that independent pharmacies must take to stay in focus and in business in the soon-to-be "new normal" of post-COVID-19 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PUTTCast Episode 03 Guests: Indy Health Insurance Company  Laura Atkinson, CEO, Indy Health Inc. Eric Belldina, Pharmacy owner in Morgantown, WV & a Managing Partner of Indy Health John Vinson, CEO, Arkansas Pharmacists Association Show Overview:  PUTT speaks with 2 of the founders of the newly licensed Indy Health Insurance Company and John Vinson of the AR Pharmacists Association about the need for independently-run Medicare Part D plans and the positive impacts of DIR reform for both pharmacies and patients. CONTACT PUTT: https://www.truthrx.org/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT) is a non-profit advocacy organization founded by independent pharmacists and pharmacy owners devoted to exposing the truth about the anti-competitive tactics of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). Known to most Americans as their "prescription drug benefit plan" provider, PBMs are in reality a $300 billion industry - giant corporate middlemen driving up the cost of medications with huge mark ups and commissions on every prescription covered under their "benefits plan."  ​ Working with local and national traditional and digital media that includes The New York Times, USA Today, CBS News, Bloomberg, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and Business Insider, PUTT seeks to educate patients, lawmakers, health plan sponsors and the public about the deeply negative effects of the PBM industry on U.S. healthcare and the escalating price of prescription medications. PUTT serves as an industry watchdog, collecting evidence of PBM fraudulent practices and abuse and using this information to educate and inform consumers, taxpayers, employers and health plan sponsors of the truth about the unregulated, unmonitored PBM industry. Through PUTT's efforts, PBMs have begun to experience greater public awareness and scrutiny of their actions and come under fire for questionable practices including the use of gag clauses at the pharmacy counter, gross over-billing of health plans (called "spread pricing"), forcing patients to use PBM-owned pharmacies instead of allowing patients to choose their own pharmacies and interjecting unnecessary bureaucratic practices such as prior authorizations between patients and their doctors in the matter of prescription refills. PUTT members and friends are pharmacists, doctors, patients, consumers, lawmakers, taxpayers and community members. If you've got a story to tell about how PBMs have hurt your pharmacy, your patients, your family or your community, we urge you to join PUTT and help us stop PBM abuse today! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.