PUTTcast | Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency: Recent Episodes
Pharmacy Podcast Network
The Pharmacy Podcast Network & Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency have teamed up to deliver to the healthcare industry, the PUTTCast. 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."
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.
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
Join Hosts Monique Whitney, Lauren Young, and special guests, Greg Reybold, Ken Patel, and Steve Moore as they discuss PBM reform wins (and losses), where the pharmacy industry is going, and ways you can get involved now to make change happen.
Hosts: Monique Whitney, Lauren Young
Panel Guests: Greg Reybold, VP of Public Policy, Georgia Pharmacy Association Ken Patel, founding member, AZ Independent Pharmacy Coalition Steve Moore, former President, Pharmacists Society of New York
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Pharmacy Podcast Network covered the Pharmacists United for Truth & Transparency Summit 2021. This incredible event was a two day event of roundtable discussions and legislative planning opportunities, guest speakers, frank panel discussions, and targeted Q&A with state legislators at the helm of PBM reform across the nation.
This podcast episode will give you a summary of the event and is your chance to listen into the Network of organizations who supported the event.
PUTT SUMMIT 2021This year's Summit takes place Friday, September 17th & Saturday, September 18th, at the beautiful Rosen Centre Hotel & Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Join PUTT Today:
https://www.truthrx.org/joinputt.html
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen in as co-hosts Monique Whitney & Scott Newman share the mic with TrueScripts founder Nathan Gabhart to discuss the company's unique origins, common-sense practices, and how this non-traditional pharmacy benefit manager is shattering the mold that corporate PBMs can't & won't break!
About PUTT:
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.
https://www.truthrx.org/about.html
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen in as PUTTcast host Lauren Young chats with pharmacists and lobbyists from Arizona, Maryland, and Texas about their recent legislative triumphs, the battles they waged to get there, and how you can do the same in your own state.
Host: Lauren Young
Guests: Monique Whitney, Executive Director, PUTT, Co-Chair, AIPC Mark Boesen, PharmD, JD, AIPC Sherine Joseph, PharmD, President IPMD Jim Doyle, Lobbyist, IPMD Miguel Rodriguez, General Counsel, APRx
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
PUTTcast Episode 16: Behind The Rx Counter
Life behind the pharmacy counter can be a roller coaster of stress, so how does that translate into comedy?
Join host Monique Whitney, PUTT President Scott Newman, board member Lord Doctor Jeremy Counts, and PUTTcast special guest, pharmacist Maurice Shaw aka The Doctor of Comedy as they discuss retail pharmacy, patients, PBMs, and how to find the humor in all of it.
TruthRx.org
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"The only way to change the status-quo is to get off your ass and change it."
Dave Marley, Marley Drug:
It's not easy but it's possible to fight the 3 largest PBMs in your local community with your pharmacy services. Listen into this podcast & share with other pharmacy owners for several ideas on beating the PBMs in Community Pharmacy.
Thank you ApproRx & P.U.T.T. for sponsoring this podcast webinar.
Here's the back-drop information on Marley Drug & Medicure:
https://www.medicure.com/about
Work with Medicure today:
Neal Owens nowens@medicure.com
IN A RARE MOVE, A DRUG MANUFACTURER WILL BYPASS THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE MEDICATIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES VIA MARLEY DRUG’S ESTABLISHED MAIL ORDER PHARMACY.
With licensing to deliver prescription drugs to all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, and with an established vision to deliver low cost generic medications, Marley Drug Pharmacy was the natural choice for like-minded Canadian drug manufacturer, Medicure Inc., to further expand distribution of its products within the United States, included its branded statin, Zypitamag® (pitavastatin).
The acquisition allows Medicureto bypass wholesalers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), in an effort to reduce consumer drug costs and provide patients across the U.S. easier access to Zypitamag®, which was extremely difficult for patients and physicians to access because of restrictions and high co-pays dictated by insurers and PBMs. Through Marley Drug Pharmacy, Medicurecan now deliver Zypitamag® to patients in every U.S. state without customers needing to use their insurance, or worry if the prescription will be covered. Medicurecan also provide Zypitamag® at a lower price overall, and a fraction of the cash price of a leading branded statin Livalo® (pitavastatin). As a manufacturer, Medicureintends to provide other branded medications using a similar approach, in addition to extremely low cost generic medications.
“It’s a perfect and responsible transition for Marley Drug,” said Dr. David Marley, CEO & President of Marley Drug. “Medicureshares our moral mission to cut drug costs for consumers. Since 2012 we have offered Marley’s Extended Supply Generic Drug Program, which was designed to battle the skyrocketing costs of name-brand drugs, and offer patients affordable alternatives, without increasing co-pays or limiting access to popular generics. We worked hard to acquire permits in every state. Now Medicurecan offer Zypitamag® from coast to coast at a fraction of the cost, without the hassle of PBMs and wholesalers.”
“Medicure and Marley Drug have the same vision. We want to deliver safe, efficacious and cost-effective medicines that benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our goal is to increase patient access to Zypitamag® while keeping the process and pricing as simple as possible. Through Marley Drug Pharmacy, we can now provide these benefits regardless of insurance or location,” said Dr. Albert Friesen, CEO of Medicure. “There will be no changes to the hours, location or to the great staff and customer service that Marley has built, and look to hire more staff as business grows. Dave Marley will remain a member of the leadership team, and we want Marley Drug to remain a trusted business within the community, and hopefully, this is a game-changing approach that gains attention nationwide.”
Thanks RxSafe for Sponsoring this episode:
RxSafe.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
DIR (Direct & Indirect Remuneration) fees aren't just a pharmacy problem. They affect almost every area of the healthcare spectrum. Tune in as PUTTcast hosts Lauren Young and Monique Whitney welcome special guests; oncologist Dr. Michael Diaz, legal counsel Mark Cuker, and IL independent pharmacist & pharmacy owner Byron Berry to discuss the widespread effects and legalities of DIR fees - and what can (and should!) be done about them going forward.
Hosts:
Lauren Young, PUTT Board Member & IL independent pharmacy owner
Monique Whitney, PUTT Executive Director
Special Guests:
Dr. Michael Diaz, Immediate Past President, Community Oncology Alliance, Assistant Managing Partner, Florida Cancer Specialists
Byron Berry, RPh, President, Pharmacy Plus Pharmacies
Mark Cuker, Esq, Counsel, Jacobs Law Group
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
PUTTcast Episode 14
What happens when independent pharmacies take charge of local health plans? Is it even possible?
Join host Monique Whitney, PUTT President Scott Newman, and special guests Illinois pharmacy owner and independent pharmacy consultant, Cindi Reed; Michigan pharmacy owner and PUTT board member, Nathan Mair; and Population Health Manager at Mitigate Partners, Carl Schuessler; as they discuss how re-localizing care is not only realistic but good for local employers and economies.
Listen to all the PUTTcast Episodes here:
https://www.truthrx.org/puttcast.html
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join hosts Monique Whitney and Scott Newman, with this month's special guests Medicure President, Neil Owens, and Marley Drug founder, Dave Marley. They'll discuss the problems of PBM involvement in the prescription drug supply chain from a drug manufacturer's perspective, and how, by joining forces, PBMs can be removed from the equation.
Learn more at TruthRx.org
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The PUTTcast Episode 12: Looking Back on 2020
Join hosts PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney, and Board President Scott Newman; with PUTT board members Lauren Young, Jeremy Counts, & Van Coble as they take a look back over the events of 2020 and discuss what this could mean for pharmacies in the upcoming year.
Join the Fight:
https://www.truthrx.org/rxrevolution.html
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen in as our panel of independent pharmacy owners engages in a no-holds-barred discussion that addresses rural pharmacy to Wall Street, pharmacy education to politics, and everything in-between.
Host: Monique Whitney
Special Guests: Deborah Keaveny, Dave Bagot, Jeremy Counts, Nathan Mair
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join host Monique Whitney and guests John Vinson, Executive VP, and CEO of APA, and Greg Reybold, General Counsel and VP of Public Policy for GPhA as they discuss the possibilities and ramifications of the upcoming Rutledge v PCMA case before the Supreme Court, and how a decision, either way, could affect state PBM reform laws nationwide.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A History of Racial Diversity in Pharmacy with Special Guest Dr. Leonard Edloe Join PUTT in a frank conversation with special guest Dr. Leonard Edloe about the history of racial diversity in pharmacy, the challenges medical professions still face today, and how we as pharmacists and people can help our profession move forward towards more diversity and greater understanding.
Hosts: Scott Newman, PUTT Board President & Lauren Young, PUTT Board Member Guest: Dr. Leonard Edloe, Chair of VPhA's Racial Diversity Task Force
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.