The PharmCast

Conversation with Karin Hurt, co-author of  Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict – What to Say Next to De-Stress the Workday, Build Collaboration and Calm Difficult Customers.  As the world of pharmacy continues to be disrupted and varying forms of conflict bubbling, we discuss the four dimensions of constructive conflict – connection, clarity, curiosity and commitment. We also hig...

Conversation with Scott Pace, PharmD, JD. Scott’s advocacy work in the area of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform led to the Rutledge vs. PCMA supreme court case, which allowed for broader state regulation of PBMs. We discuss the after-effects of that decision and ongoing challenges and opportunities in the independent pharmacy space.  Recorded with support from the Healthcare Distribution Alli...

Conversation with Krystalyn Weaver, Executive Vice President of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Krystal was the first interviewee of The PharmCast podcast. We take an opportunity to revisit some of our conversation and discuss changing dynamics in pharmacy practice, pharmacy associations and life.

A transparent PBM?! We connected with Tyrone Squires, Founder and Manager of TransparentRx. We had not heard about this, as so many community pharmacies are challenged by the strains PBMs put on their business operations, through low drug reimbursements and practically nonexistent dispensing fees. So, we HAD to talk to Tyrone about his perspective and larger quest to provide transparency in the PB...

Kristen Jones, PharmD, Treasurer of Wyoming Pharmacists Association and AVP, Pharmacy Strategic Operations at Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company shares her insights and expertise. In this conversation, we discuss risk management for pharmacists working in various practice settings and work conditions. We highlight key steps pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can take to protect their licenses...

A conversation with Mariama Boney, LMSW, CAE, CPEC, President and CEO of Achieve More, LLC a consulting firm that brings together human performance and organizational dynamics with a solution-focused approach.  Her team creates safe spaces for association, non-profit, education and corporate transformation through change leadership. She currently serves as chair of the American Society of Associat...

A conversation with Antonia Ciaccia a long-time association professional and President of 3 Axis Advisors. He has become obsessive about the prescription drug supply chain and pharmacy policy. He is an advocate for open-access, drug price transparency, competitive healthcare markets, and patient-centered care. 3 Axis advisors released a report in the Fall of 2023, Unraveling the Drug Pricing Blame...

Bled Tanoe is a pharmacy activist focused on workplace protections and patient safety in chain pharmacy. She is the founder of the #pizzaisnotworking movement that has empowered portions of the pharmacy community and shaken up others. In this conversation, we talk a little about her career trajectory and transition from community pharmacy to working in a hospital system. Most of our discussion is...

You can buy pretty much anything online, from anywhere around the world. While this might be beneficial when updating your wardrobe with the latest international fashions, it presents many dangers for those looking to purchase unregulated medications from foreign distributors. We recently spoke to Shabbir Safdar, Executive Director for The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), a public health grou...

Ryan Burke stumbled upon the world of pharmacy simply by chance. Looking for employment as a teenager, he read a job board at his high school and the only opportunity listed was for a pharmacy clerk at a pharmacy in his hometown. The rest would be history. Ryan is a pharmacist by trade who currently serves as the Director of Professional Affairs at Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), t...

Mindy Smith has worn many hats during her career, serving as a community pharmacist, executive director, and chief executive officer for various organizations and associations in the pharmaceutical industry. She is now the Senior Vice President Professional Services for Tabula Rasa HealthCare (TRHC), a healthcare technology company providing medication safety solutions that empower healthcare prof...

Mike Wysong is a firm believer in esprit de corps, by which he defines as people collectively working together for the betterment of others . With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Mike is confident that esprit de corps is at the core of all those who choose a career in the pharmaceutical and/or healthcare industry. Mike is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CARE Pharmacies Cooperativ...

This episode is a conversation with Meroe Rabieifar a multi-hat wearing pharmacist and entrepreneur.  She co-owns independent pharmacies, is co-founder of a unique CBD brand and is a chief pharmacist at the Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment Center, based in Florida. In this conversation, discuss her role as co-founder of PharmaCanna, LLC, where she serves as chief formulator and head of rese...

Sponsored by the Cardinal Health Foundation In this episode we talk with Dr. Barry R. Meisenberg, chair of the Department of Medicine at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC). He serves as the physician leader for quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. We discuss the operational changes that spurred a 65 percent decrease in opioid prescribing by physicians in the AAMC system. We explore...

Sponsored by the Cardinal Health Foundation In this episode we talk with Neil McGarvey, PharmD, co-owner of the Professional Pharmacy Group, (Arnold, Annapolis, MedPark and Empire Professional Pharmacies and Kay Cee LTC Pharmacy). We discuss his role in fighting the opioid epidemic - how he uses his business operations, community engagement and leadership style to play a part in preventing opioid...

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In this episode we talk with Rick Abbruzzese of KO Public Affair, one of the strategic leads of the RxALI MD coalition. RxALI MD is a convening organization for community and advocacy leaders working to address Maryland’s opioid crisis. Maryland Pharmacists Association is a founding partner of RxALI MD.  We discuss the importance of collaboration and stakeholder engagement to solve big issues like...

Sponsored by the Cardinal Health Foundation In this episode we talk with Dr. Lynn McPherson, Professor and Executive Director, Advanced Post Graduate Education at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She teaches about pain management and palliative care in the PharmD curriculum, among other topics. She is also the Executive Director of the campus' Online Master of Science in Palliative C...

In this episode we talk with Qadira Ali Huff, MD, MPh. Dr. Huff is looking to change sick care to healthcare, which means putting prevention/lifestyle on centerstage when treating patients.  Dr. Huff practices general pediatrics in the Washington, DC area. She discovered lifestyle medicine and became board-certified in the field. It helped reframe the way she practices medicine and changed he...

In this episode we have an enlightening conversation with Suzanne Soliman founder of the 30,000 member Pharmacist Moms Facebook Group . We discussed the challenges and opportunities of being a “pharmacist mom.”  We talk about the difference a stool can make for workplace wellness, advocacy, TedTalks and so much more. Suzy currently serves as Chief Academic Officer for the Accreditation Counci...

Special Episode Sponsored by the Howard County (MD) Health Department. Our conversation with Bethany DiPaula, Pharm D and Dixie Leikach, RPh is critically important. Both have worked extensively on expanding the knowledge of pharmacists on their role in reducing opioid overdoses. In this episode we discuss the State of Maryland’s Naloxone Standing order. We want to ensure that all pharmacists are...

This is part two of our conversation with Shelley Row. In this episode she shares how to separate yourself from the crowd. Every year a new cohort of P4s joins the job/residency hunt and other professionals are looking to change companies or practicing settings. With clinical skills being on par, how are you communicating what you bring to a practice that is different than your counterparts? She s...

There’s quite a bit of disruption in the pharmacy community these days---whether its consolidation, low reimbursements or unfunded legislative and regulatory mandates. It can cause anxiety and stress when there is uncertainty and lack of information. Our guest, Shelley Row PE, CSP, shares ideas and tools for pharmacy leaders to steady themselves and their staff. Her perspective provides guidance f...

It’s residency application season! In this episode we talk with Kristen Fink, PharmD about residency programs.  New Flash! They are not just for recent PharmD grads. If you are preparing to apply for residency; are thinking about a potential practice setting change; or just want to know what they are all about this episode is for you. She answers all the burning questions about the types of c...

In this episode we talk with Bryan W. Scott, PharmD about how he is using  social media to put a face to community pharmacy; support public health; and educate patients in his community. Our conversation gets into many more topics about patients’ desire for wellness; the necessity of creative entrepreneurialism for independent community pharmacy; USP 800;  the impact of lead and lag...