PBM on the Rocks

North Carolina's House Bill 163 would require pharmacies to be reimbursed at NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) plus a fair dispensing fee, which would protect NC pharmacies - ensuring they can stay in business and continue providing critical care to patients. As usual, PBMs are spreading misinformation designed to scare patients and lawmakers by mislabeling these reforms as “taxes” and falsely claiming reforms will increase premiums.Join the PUTT cocktail crew with NC pharmacy owners Wes Hickman, PharmD, & Stephen Joyce, RPh (PUTT board member) as they break down the benefits of HB 163, dispel the myths that PBM deceptions create, and discuss the importance of building strong relationships - because when it comes to pharmacy issues and helpful reform legislation, pharmacists really are the smartest people in the room.Music by JuliusH | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

What happens when the largest players in healthcare prioritize profit over patients? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the persistent monopolistic practices plaguing the industry.Join the PUTT cocktail crew and special guest Emma Freer, Health Policy Analyst at the American Economic Liberties Project, as they explore the groundbreaking influence of Lina Khan at the FTC and her enduring impact on efforts to combat corporate monopolies across industries. From PBM reform legislation, to the dangerous conflicts of interest stemming from vertical integration across the healthcare spectrum, they break down the systemic issues affecting pharmacy and discuss actionable solutions for building a better, fairer system.Music by JuliusH | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

How can independent pharmacies tackle major challenges like reimbursement disparities, PBM legislative gaslighting, and advocating for fair policies in the healthcare industry? Join host Lord Dr. Jeremy, Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance's Trent McLemore, and the PUTT cocktail crew as they dive deep into the power of association and independent pharmacy unity and grassroots action as tools to amplify pharmacy and patient voices to get meaningful state legislation passed.Music by JuliusH | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Counterfeit medications are on the rise, and behind this growing crisis lies a web of questionable practices and systemic failures perpetrated by PBMs throughout the healthcare industry. Listen in as Lord Dr Jeremy & the PUTT cocktail crew explore critical issues that affect the safety, affordability, and accessibility of prescription drugs and challenge the monopolistic grip PBMs hold over the healthcare market.Joining us is Shabbir Safdar, Executive Director of The Partnership for Safe Medicines, an expert committed to exposing these issues and fighting for safer, more transparent practices. Together, they'll unpack how PBM-driven anticompetitive games contribute to widespread vulnerabilities in drug safety and affordability.Music by JuliusH | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join PUTT podcasters Jeremy Counts, Lauren Young and Andrew Russell as they host the long awaited premier of Patient Protector's explosive docuseries, Modern Medical Mafia, live from Rio, Wisconsin.Full docuseries available for streaming on Amazon Prime 1.21.25Opening music by JuliusHProduction and Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

How can independent pharmacies thrive in a landscape dominated by consolidation and inequitable practices? In this episode, we explore the critical symbiosis between independent pharmacies and independent software providers. We're joined by Kevin Minassian, President of Datascan Pharmacy Software, and Sarah Callioras, Datascan's Vice President, to discuss the challenges facing the pharmacy sector and the power of supporting independent vendors.From alarming trends like private equity buyouts of software providers to the parallels they share with PBM industry consolidation, our guests unpack how these practices are weakening the pharmacy industry. They passionately advocate for unity among independent pharmacies and vendors as the key to fighting back—and shine a light on federal legislation H.R. 9096 that could bring much-needed relief to everyone in pharmacy.Special Guests: Kevin Minassian & Sarah Callioras, Datascan Pharmacy SoftwareOpening music by JuliusH | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

This special episode of PBM on the Rocks is recorded live from Hell's Kitchen, NYC, in honor of World AIDS Day. Join us as we tackle the critical issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, featuring enlightening conversations with our expert guests. Together, we dispel harmful myths, confront stigma, and shine a spotlight on the barriers to care created by the broken pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) system.Key Topics Discussed Dispelling AIDS Myths: Breaking down the harmful stereotypes and misinformation that fuel stigma. Promoting HIV Care & Awareness: Exploring the importance of HIV prevention, treatment, and education for improving quality of life and community health. PBM Restrictions & Barriers: An inside look into how pharmacy benefit managers create insurmountable obstacles for patients in accessing affordable and timely care. The 340B Program Under Fire: Understanding how PBMs' practices adversely impact one of the most crucial programs for supporting marginalized communities. Special Guests: John Farina, AIDS Healthcare Foundation | Danny Dang, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York | Fareed Choudry, Pharmacist, AIDS Healthcare FoundationOpening music by JuliusH | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join Lord Dr Jeremy and PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney, as they host special guests Vinny Chiffy of FixRx & APCI political guru Greg Reybold to discuss how New York pharmacists paved the way for real talk about PBMs with their FixRx campaign, staying loud about PBM reform during a lame duck session, and how independent pharmacies have more political influence than they realize.Opening music by JuliusHProduction & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join Lord Dr Jeremy and PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney as they host a stream of pharmacy advocacy powerhouses at day 2 of the annual NCPA Conference#pharmacy #pbmreform Opening music by JuliusHProduction & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join Lord Dr Jeremy, PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney, and an illustrious panel of NCPA convention guests as they discuss making headway in the fight for PBM reform, H.R. 9096, FixRx, and the upcoming documentary that may change the game.#pharmacy #pbmreform Opening music by JuliusHProduction & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join Lord Dr Jeremy as he broadcasts PBM on the Rocks live from the Independent Pharmacy Alliance Medicaid Reform event in East Rutherford, NJSpecial Guests: John Giampolo, Anthony Reznik, Heather Rodgers, Raj Shah, Brian OliveiraOpening music by JuliusHProduction & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join Lord Dr Jeremy and the PUTT crew as they band together with patients, pharmacists, physicians, and other advocacy organizations to protest PBM abusive practices at Optum HQ in Eden Prairie, MN.Special Guests: Mike Kolzer host of The Business of Pharmacy podcast, Bil Schmidtknect (@angrydadwi), Claudia Holley & Julie Baak from Arthritis Center STL, John Farina of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Douglas Hoey CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Organization, and Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties ProjectOpening music by JuliusH, Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-GirardProtest Cocktail Menu:airplane bottles of JamesonSpotted Cow beerSprinkler water (listen to find out how!)

Grab and drink & join this month's very special cocktail crew as they discuss the many reasons why this September's Friday the 13th protest at OptumRx is so important, and how raising your voice about the issues is crucial for advocating across the healthcare spectrum.Special Guests: Angry Dad Bil Schmidtknecht (@angrydadwi), AIDS Healthcare Foundation's (@AIDShealthcare) John Farina, Independent Pharmacy Alliance's (@IPAPharmacies) Anthony Reznik, & Arthritis Center STL's (@ArthritisSTL) Claudia HolleyOpening music by JuliusHEpisode Cocktail Menu:Classic Old FashionedHigh NoonIrish Whiskey in a glass (it's our host Lord Dr Jeremy - of course there's Irish whiskey)

Listen in as Lord Dr Jeremy and the PBM OTR cocktail crew host special guests Mike Koelzer, host of The Business of Pharmacy podcast, and Thu Nguyen, co-host of the podcast Hey Rx Friends We Got ThisOpening music by JuliusHProduction by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join this month's PBM Reform cocktail crew as they discuss PBM exec lies during the recent Congressional hearing, the FTC Open Commission meeting, and why applying pressure at both the state and federal levels is so critical to getting real, enforceable reform across the finish line!Special Guest, Massachusetts pharmacy owner, Joe ChammasOpening music by JuliusH, Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join our host Lord Dr Jeremy as he discusses PBM antitrust issues, and the newly released FTC 6b study interim report with experts Matt Stoller and Greg Reybold.Opening music by JuliusH

Join Lord Dr Jeremy and this month's cocktail crew as they discuss the importance of communication in advocacy, the newly released 3Axis report, and how PUTT is offering solutions to the PBM problem.Special Guests: pharmacy owners & PUTT Executive Board members Brandi Chane and Lauren YoungOpening music by JuliusHProduction & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Join Lord Dr. Jeremy, the PUTT team, and the biggest names in pharmacy as they try to survive an open bar at the infamous APEX cocktail reception!

Join the PBMOTR cocktail crew as they pick apart CPESN's Express Scripts partnership announcement, shed light on how states like New York, Florida, and Louisiana are getting real work done, and why PUTT's voice is so important in the fight - because when it comes to combatting PBM mafia tactics, enforcing reimbursement reform is the only way ALL pharmacies will be able to stay in business.Special Guests: Danny Dang, incoming President, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY), & Andrew Russell, MN Independent PharmacistOpening music by JuliusHEpisode Cocktail Menu:the JubileeGentleman Jack on iceSingtop beerthe Algorithmic Price FixerSpicy Palomathe Cross-Eyed ChillerTom CollinsFind all the PBM on the Rocks cocktails at TruthRx.org/pbm-on-the-rocksProduction & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

It's the LIVE version of PBM on the Rocks!Join Lord Dr Jeremy as he hosts a battalion of guests including NCPA CEO Doug Hoey, Arthritis Center STL's Julie Baak, independent pharmacy lawyer Mark Boesen, Pharmacy Dr of Comedy Maurice Shaw, and other drop in friends like Unite for Safe Medications' Loretta Boesing, PUTT board member Brandi Chane, the Angry Pharmacist, and Shane Jerominski aka the Accidental Pharmacist. Our live broadcast from #ProtestExpressScripts is full of raw emotion and a few surprises - definitely an episode not to be missed! (even though we're sure the helicopter fly-bys were orchestrated by ESI)Opening music by JuliusH, Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

It's not difficult to equate vertically-integrated corporate control of American healthcare with "the Dark Side" - which makes patient advocates like Jen Laws of CANN, pro-independent pharmacy lawyers like Miguel Rodriguez of APRx, and the board members of Pharmacists United for Truth & Transparency definitely part of "the Rebel Alliance"! The subject for this episode's cocktail discussion - How can we as advocates overcome the Big PBM/Health Insurance Death Star?Opening music by JuliusHEpisode Cocktail Menu:Han Shot FirstTatooine SunsetBB8 BelliniQui Gon Jinn & TonicBaby Yoda MargaritaSpicy Mango-lorianQui Gon GinEditing & Production by Shannon Wightman-Girard

April is Stress Awareness Month. Are you aware of how much stress PBMs cause? Listen in as the PUTT Cocktail Crew hosts WayPoint Rx's Ben Coakley and California pharmacy owner Sona Kazangian. From pharmacy benefits plan options, to reimbursement issues - the gloves come off when the subject of PBMs is on the table!Episode Cocktail Menu:Spicy Bloody MaryMojitoBlack Cherry Vodka & SodaWine in a BoxHeinekenSolar Eclipse CocktailTopo Chico MargaritaBottle of Wine with a StrawFind all of our episode cocktail recipes at TruthRx.org/pbm-on-the-rocksOpening music by JuliusHProduction & Editing: Shannon Wightman-Girard

From the patient travesties inflicted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack, to independent pharmacy future viability, pharmacy unions, and PBM parallels on Wendy's surge pricing - when you put pharmacy internet icons in the cocktail crew, there's no holds barred on what might be said!Special Guests: The Accidental Pharmacist & The Angry PharmacistEpisode Cocktail Menu:Irish MuleThe Depressed PharmacistRed WineRye-Rish ManhattanOpening music by JuliusHProduction & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Welcome to our February Episode! From industry-wide issues like prior authorizations, to disease states, pain management, and vitamin supplement shams - when PBMs and their parent health insurance parent corporations meddle in healthcare, the results are rarely good for anyone.Special Guests: Rheumatologist Dr. Steven Baak, & pharmacy owner Anne HutchensEpisode Cocktail Menu:Jeremy's favorite IPAMock Aperol SpritzVodka on the rocks with an oliveRusty NailPBM Kinda Love (red wine spritzer)Opening music by JuliusHEditing & production by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Only 2 weeks into the new year, and the aftermath of CMS' new DIR fee rule is already wreaking havoc. Listen in as our January cocktail crew breaks down the bull. From the DIR “hangover” (aka Medicare-mageddon) to PBMs' newest reimbursement torture tactics, and frauds that give pharmacy a bad name - it's a timely dissection of industry stupidity where no CEO is safe.Special Guests: Brandi Chane, LPN & Van Coble, RPh (retired)Episode Cocktail Menu:Magic Grapefruit GreyhoundHibiscus MuleUrethra Fire (aka Bulleit on ice)Dragon's Milk (bourbon barrel stout)Black Cherry Vodka SpritzerVisit TruthRx.org/pbm-on-the-rocks for episode cocktail recipesOpening music by JuliusH, Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Understaffing, Unionization, & a Questionable Carton of EggnogThanks to the vertical integration of U.S. healthcare, the greed-based practices of PBMs and their health insurance parent corporations negatively affect everything from chain staffing, to patient access and safety at all levels of pharmacy.Listen in as our December cocktail crew takes a deep dive into the issues. From theoretical staffing shortages and pharmacy scope of practice, to addressing safety problems in retail pharmacy, and impending unionization - no subject is taboo during this breakdown! With Special Guests: Shane Jerominski (The Accidental Pharmacist), & Maurice Shaw (Rx Comedy)To learn more about the movement for pharmacy unionization, visit PharmacyGuild.orgEpisode Cocktail Menu:“Celpy Eggnog” Crown Apple (in the bottle)Store bought Eggnog (in a carton)Red Wine (in a glass)Holiday SangriaOpening music by JuliusHEditing & Production by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Welcome to our scary October episode... and it doesn't get any scarier than corporate chain pharmacy policies and (the most terrifying) DIR FEES.Listen in as our very special guest, The Angry Pharmacist, joins this month's cocktail conversation. From DEA metrics, to wholesalers, pharmacy organizations & PBM problems - no subject is safe from these silver tongues!Episode Cocktail Menu:the DIR (aka a bottle of Irish whiskey)the BER (aka Pumpkin Cider)the ComeVisitSatan (scotch whiskey neat with a side of cabernet)Angry Pharmacy Juice (aka a plastic bottle of cheap whiskey)Opening music by JuliusH, Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

It's Mocktails and PBM Mockery!From schadenfreude moments like CVS's stock drop, to the differences between kickbacks and healthcare rebates (there are none), and even a foray into political process - listen in as the PBM Rocks cocktail crew gets real about the status of PBM reform efforts, and why it's so important to get involved.Special Guests: Dave Bagot & Mark BoesenEpisode (Mock)tail Menu:Kentucky MuleCoconut MojitoCoca-Cola (on the rocks)Diet Pepsi (in a can)Local Draft IPAFor this episode's and all PBM on the Rocks' cocktail recipes, visit TruthRx.org/PBM-on-the-RocksPBM on the Rocks music by JuliusHEditing & Production by Shannon Wightman-Girard

From recent federal hearings and impending legislative action, to pharmacy DIR fees, copay accumulators, and whole host of other PBM fraud-based practices - in this special girls' night episode, the women of pharmacy put pharmacy benefit manipulator practices in their rightful place... 6 feet under.with special guests Brandi Chane & Teresa DickinsonEpisode Cocktail Menu:Spiked Ice Cream FloatLime RickeyHurricaneWhite Wine SpritzerFor PBM on the Rocks cocktail recipes, visit TruthRx.org/PBM-on-the-RocksOpening music by JuliusHProduction: Shannon Wightman-Girard

Episode 6: Pharmacy Deserts, Corporate Greed, & a Rob RoyHave you ever wondered why some insurance plans require patients to travel to a pharmacy 20 to 30 minutes away for their prescriptions instead of covering prescriptions at the patient's local nearby pharmacy? Or, why lobbyists publish opinion articles in national news sources claiming that PBMs lower costs and save employers money, yet both prescription costs and premiums seem to be constantly rising?Welcome to this month's cocktail hour. From issues with lobbyists, brokers, & corporate greed; to state & federal politics, PhRMA, & why shopping local includes your neighborhood independent pharmacy - no area of healthcare is safe when it comes to this discussion!Featuring Special Guest John Farina with the AIDS Healthcare FoundationOpening music by JuliusHThis Month's Cocktail Menu:Rob RoyLimoncelloMargarita Hard SeltzerIPAFor cocktail recipes & additional insights, visit our website: TruthRx.org/pbm-on-the-rocks

Episode 5: GPOs, Small Business Economics, & a Sweet TeaDid you know that Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) are PBMs' even more shadowy twin, and they're being formed to add additional layers of complexity into the drug pricing market? Listen in as the PUTT Cocktail Crew welcomes Texas independent pharmacy owner Brandi Chane, and patient advocate Julie Hoffman to the table. From the dangers of GPOs, to copay accumulators, pharmacy deserts, "loss leaders", and their destructive economic effect on small business pharmacies and their patients - it's an illuminating conversation you don't want to miss!Opening music by JuliusHProduction by Shannon Wightman-GirardEpisode Cocktail Menu:ManhattanIrish WhiskeyMimosa SeltzerSweet Tea

The Cinco de Mayo EpisodeThis cocktail hour the gang welcomes nonprofit healthcare foundation CEO Jeffery Lewis and PUTT Vice President Lauren Young, for a conversation that twists and turns through PBM-created issues such as rebate aggregators, patient access, underwater reimbursements, and how ultimately, a small group of determined individuals can make a difference against the vertically-integrated health-no-care machine.Featuring: Monique Whitney, Jeremy Counts, Brian Nyquist, Jeffery Lewis, Lauren Young, & Shannon Wightman-GirardClick the links to learn more about the Legacy Health Endowment, EMC Health Foundation, the National Infusion Center Association, and Pharmacists United for Truth & TransparencyEpisode Cocktail Menu:PalomaMexican MuleSangriaPineapple-Infused WaterBeer (pick your fave)Opening music by JuliusHProduction: Shannon Wightman-Girard

Episode 3: Beating Optum, Bad Marketing, & a Tia MariaFrom fraud allegations, to legal smackdowns and new regulation legislation; public opinion of pharmacy benefit managers and their health insurance parent companies is steadily swirling towards a comedic death spiral. Listen in as the PUTT crew and independent pharmacy legal eagle Mark Cuker and discuss his recent lawsuit wins, legislative language strategies, and pointing out the stupidly obvious in PBM attempts at rebranding. Hosts: Monique Whitney, Jeremy Counts, Shannon Wightman-Girard Special Guests: Mark Cuker, Lauren YoungTo learn more about the PUNCH lawsuit discussed in this episode, email Mark Cuker at Mark@CukerLaw.comEpisode Cocktail Menu:Tia Maria CoffeePalomaEspresso MartiniIced WhiskeyHot Tea ToddyOpening music by JuliusHProduction: Shannon Wightman-Girard

Episode 2: NPI Number Fraud, PBC Problems & BourbonGrab a glass! From re-victimization of pharmacies dealing with the fallout from stolen NPI numbers, to PCMA's new PBM rebranding campaign & the recent Senate hearing on pharmacy benefit manager/company transparency… you never know what might be revealed when pharmacy industry professionals discuss PBM (aka PBC) tactics over drinks.Hosts: PUTT's Monique Whitney, Lord Dr. Jeremy Counts, and Shannon Wightman-GirardSpecial Guests: Texas independent pharmacy owner Leah Allen, PharmD; APRx Senior VP of Sales Ryan Gevara; & APRx General Counsel Miguel RodriguezToday's Cocktail Menu:SidecarMargaritaBourbon (neat)Scotch (on the rocks)the Lord Dr JeremyTwisted EnergyOpening music by JuliusHPodcast Production Team: Shannon Wightman-Girard, Logan Smith

Insiders in the healthcare industry experience the atrocities of pharmacy benefit managers' unethical business practices every day - but many of their middleman shenanigans are hidden from public view.Welcome to our happy hour style, no holds barred conversation! Join hosts Monique Whitney, Brian Nyquist, Jeremy Counts, and show producer Shannon Wightman-Girard as they discuss (over cocktails) the REAL story of PBMs' effect on the U.S. healthcare system. This Episode's Special Guests: PUTT President Deborah Keaveny, & APCI General Counsel Greg ReyboldMusic by JuliusHThe Cocktails:Smoked Old FashionedClassic ManhattanScotch (neat)Alabama Moonshine (in a jar)Peach Blasphemythe King JeremyBeer (pick your fave)brought to you by Pharmacists United for Truth and TransparencyMeq4BrY8qiPQ4Ex2bUAJ