NCPDP − Raising the Standards: Recent Episodes
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Conversations with NCPDP on Improving the Patient Experience. If you don't know us, you should! NCPDP is the problem-solving forum for healthcare - successful and respected throughout the industry. We bring diverse stakeholders together to improve the exchange of healthcare information for patients and everyone involved in delivering care. We've been doing this for nearly 45 years. Collaborate with us to change healthcare for the better. Visit www.NCPDP.org
Electronic prior authorization is evolving rapidly, with AI and new CMS proposed rules poised to transform how patients access medications. In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Pooja Babbrah sits down with Anu Kaur, PharmD, RPh, SFC™, Technology Solutions Management Consultant and Clinical Pharmacist at Conduent, to discuss the future of prior authorization, the role NCPDP standards play in enabling faster, more transparent prior authorization workflows, and how AI can help reduce administrative burden while keeping patients at the center of care.
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Scott Biggs, Director at IQVIA joins NCPDPunscripted to discuss the pharmacy trends reshaping healthcare, from direct-to-consumer models (DTC) and obesity medications to pharmacy closures and the growing role of pharmacists. Tune in for a data-driven conversation on where the industry is headed and the opportunities organizations should be preparing for next.
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Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in delivering clinical services, but challenges around interoperability, credentialing, and data exchange continue to limit their full integration into the healthcare ecosystem.
In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Pooja Babbrah welcomes Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS, Vice President of Professional Affairs at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), for a conversation about the future of pharmacy. Together, they explore the importance of team-based care, opportunities for pharmacy participation in TEFCA, and how AI and technology can help remove administrative burdens, giving pharmacists more time to focus on patient care.
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In this episode, Pooja Babbrah welcomes healthcare strategist and Forbes contributor Seth Joseph for a conversation about the evolving role of community pharmacy. Seth explores the reimbursement challenges facing pharmacies, the growing opportunity for pharmacist-provided clinical services, and why collaboration may be the key to scaling the future of pharmacy care.
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In the latest episode of NCPDPunscripted, Pooja Babbrah speaks with Amy Gleason, Acting Administrator, U.S. DOGE Service, about the future of healthcare interoperability, AI, and patient-centered innovation. Gleason shares her deeply personal journey navigating the healthcare system as a caregiver to her daughter with a rare autoimmune disease, and how that experience shaped her mission to improve data sharing and care coordination across the healthcare ecosystem. They also explore CMS’ Health Tech Ecosystem initiative, the role of AI in empowering patients, and emerging efforts around medical and prescription prior authorization.
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What happens when healthcare policy, AI, interoperability, and pharmacy innovation collide? Former HHS Secretary Alex Azar joins NCPDPunscripted live from the NCPDP Annual Conference for a candid conversation on the forces reshaping healthcare. From pharmacist reimbursement and PBM reform to the promise of precision medicine and AI-driven care, Azar explains why he believes we are entering a new era of healthcare transformation and what must happen next to unlock its full potential
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What does it take to build stronger leaders and create more opportunities across healthcare? In the latest NCPDPunscripted, Patricia Pimentel & Kyle Tucker from Express Scripts, share how the Women’s Leadership Initiative at NCPDP is helping amplify voices, grow networks, and empower members at every stage of their careers. From professional development to meaningful allyship, this conversation highlights why leadership is everyone’s business.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Miranda Rochol, SVP at Prescryptive, shares how collaboration and innovation are transforming the pharmacy landscape. From real-world use cases explored at our first colLAB event to the growing impact of AI and patient-centered standards, this conversation highlights how the industry is coming together to solve shared challenges.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, we sit down with Kristol Chism, RPh, of Optum Insight to unpack the future of clinical data exchange in pharmacy. From demystifying TEFCA to advancing pharmacist’s role in care delivery, this conversation explores what’s next and what needs to happen now.
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In the latest episode of NCPDPunscripted, Katie Russell, Manager of Data Standards & Interoperability at CoverMyMeds, joins the conversation to explore the connection between public health and pharmacy standards. She shares how her public health background shapes her work at NCPDP and reflects on her experience in the Emerging Professionals Fellowship. Tune in for insights on leadership, collaboration, and improving healthcare outcomes through standards.
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On this episode of the NCPDPunscripted, Jennifer Steger, Vice President at Monument Advocacy, breaks down the fast-moving healthcare policy landscape in Washington, covering record-setting executive orders, CMS payment models, and rural health funding. Tune in for a candid conversation on prior authorization reform, pharmacist provider status, and why engagement has never been more critical as access, affordability, and technology take center stage.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Whitney Ellington sits down with Lew Parker, CTO of Arrive Health, to unpack why prior authorization still creates friction across healthcare. From real-time benefit checks to smarter interoperability, Lew shares how better data upstream can mean fewer delays, lower costs, and a smoother experience for patients and providers alike.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Whitney Ellington sits down with Raj Chhadua of ReNue RX to discuss how innovative reuse and reverse distribution models are changing the way pharmacies manage medication and reduce waste. Raj shares practical insights into the operational and regulatory realities pharmacies face today, and how smarter systems can improve efficiency while supporting patient access.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Whitney Ellington sits down with Julian Herbert, Chief Product Officer at DoseSpot, to discuss how ePrescribing is evolving to prioritize efficiency, trust, and the patient experience. Julian shares lessons from building patient-facing technology and explores the growing demand for price transparency, medication availability data, and workflows that help patients make informed decisions based on cost, convenience, and access.
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On this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Pooja Babbrah sits down with Brian Eidex to discuss the Pharmacy Product Availability Pilot, a collaboration between Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and NCPDP focused on improving transparency around medication availability. Brian shares insights from the pilot, lessons learned from cross-industry collaboration, and how giving prescribers visibility into pharmacy inventory before a prescription is sent can help reduce delays and improve the patient experience.
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In this week’s episode NCPDP’s, Whitney Ellington, Director of Communications & Marketing, sits down with Rick Sage, Executive Vice President, Innovation & Standards, to break down the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF), why enrollment matters, and what pharmacies need to know before the first 10 IRA-negotiated drugs go live on January 1, 2026. A must-listen for anyone navigating Part D changes and preparing for maximum fair price (MFP) workflows.
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In this episode, Jeff Rochon, PharmD, FAPhA, FWSPA, Executive Director of the Pharmacy Health Information Technology Collaborative, shares how the Collaborative is advancing pharmacy’s role in an increasingly digital healthcare system. He discusses the organization’s mission to fully integrate pharmacists into the national health IT landscape, current initiatives like the Pharmacy EHR White Paper and partnerships with groups such as the Sequoia Project, and his vision for leveraging technology and data standards to empower pharmacists to practice at the top of their license.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, we sit down with Sean Kim, VP of Practice and Professional Development at the California Pharmacists Association, to talk about how pharmacists are stepping into expanded clinical roles and driving access to care across the state. From provider status and payment parity to long-acting injectables and community health worker programs, Sean shares how California is innovating to meet patients where they are. Hear how data sharing, collaboration, and evolving professional identity are shaping the future of pharmacy practice.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Matt McGrath, Vice President of Pharmacy Solutions at Experian Health, joins us to talk about improving patient record matching and what it means for the future of healthcare. From bridging data gaps to reducing fraud and addressing real-world factors that affect patient care, Matt shares how the Patient Experience Identifier powered by Experian Health UIM & NCPDP Standards™, is helping connect information across healthcare. Tune in to hear how technology and collaboration are transforming the patient experience, one record at a time.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Lathe Bigler, Vice President of Clinical Network Services at First Databank, joins us to discuss the evolution of e-prescribing. From building redundancy and resilience into healthcare networks to empowering patients with transparency and choice, Lathe shares how technology is reshaping the prescribing journey and what’s next for innovation in pharmacy.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Scott Pope, Chief Pharmacy Officer at GoodRx, shares his journey from pharmacist to healthcare leader, discusses bridging gaps between clinicians and patients, and explores how consumerism, affordability, and access are reshaping the future of pharmacy and patient care.
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Discover why provider status and payment reform for pharmacists is gaining momentum. In this episode, Steve Chen, PharmD, from USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, shares insights on the evolving role of pharmacists in value-based care, overcoming data challenges, and why AI could be a game-changer for clinical pharmacy services.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, Diya Shah, Former Head of Partnerships at Photon Health, and Entela Duka, Lead Product Manager at Photon Health, share how their team is transforming the prescription process to center patient choice, transparency, and digital convenience.
We explore how giving patients the power to choose their pharmacy improves access, affordability, and adherence. From breaking down systemic barriers to enabling prescription portability, Photon Health is building a more equitable and consumer-friendly pharmacy experience.
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Meg Murphy, PharmD, Pharmacy & Regulatory Affairs Manager at Surescripts, discusses how pharmacy interoperability is transforming patient care. As co-chair of The Sequoia Project’s Pharmacy Workgroup, she shares how improved data exchange supports pharmacists, advances regulatory initiatives like TEFCA, and integrates pharmacy into nationwide health information networks.
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Tanvi Patel, VP and GM of Amazon Pharmacy, joins us to talk about pharmacy’s digital future. From retail closures to rising consumer expectations, hear how Amazon is tackling access, affordability, and innovation. She also shares why collaboration and interoperability are key to what’s next in pharmacy.
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In this week’s episode, Dr. Vin Gupta, MD — former Chief Medical Officer of Amazon Pharmacy — sat down with Brian Nowosielski from Drug Topics at NCPDP’s 48th Annual Business & Technology Conference to share bold insights on the evolving role of pharmacists in healthcare. From envisioning the future of a “smart pharmacy” to exploring how pharmacists can enhance patient data and remote care, this episode highlights their growing impact beyond the counter
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This week on NCPDPunscripted, we sit down with Jeff Deitch, CEO of InfoWerks Data Services, and Kelee Petzelt, VP of Sales at Synerio. They discuss NCPDP’s work with HL7 on the CodeX REMS use case, progress on streamlining patient access to REMS drugs, and the new Collabor8 event sponsored by PTI.
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In this episode, Joel White, President & CEO at Horizon Government Affairs, discusses key healthcare policy changes in the first 100 days of the new administration, including the MAHA initiative, HHS restructuring, and their potential impact on pharmacies and NCPDP. He also explores the growing role of pharmacists in chronic care and the significance of the ECAPS Act in expanding access and reimbursement.
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In this episode of NCPDPunscripted, we’re sitting down with Christian Tadrus, RPh, PharmD, FASCP, AE-C, NSC and Mindy Smith, RPh, MHA, to talk about leadership, progress, and what’s next for NCPDP. Christian will share some of his proudest moments as Board Chair, including big steps forward for pharmacists and industry collaboration. Then Mindy will give us a look at her vision as she takes the gavel, with a focus on the new 3-year strategic plan and how NCPDP is keeping innovation, interoperability, and smart governance at the forefront. It’s a relaxed but powerful conversation about where we’ve been and where we’re headed.
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Patient record matching and accurate identification of patients across the healthcare ecosystem is a top-of-mind challenge in healthcare. Listen as John Hill, NCPDP’s Chief Operating Officer, and Pooja Babbrah, NCPDP Executive Vice President, Strategy and Industry Alignment, discuss the heightened need for accurately matching patient records as healthcare seeks to increase interoperability, care coordination, and the inclusion of pharmacists in the patient care team.
Get an update from John and Pooja on the Patient Experience Identifier ™ Solution (PEI) that leverages NCPDP Standards and Experian Health’s expansive consumer demographics, best in class matching methodologies, and now also AI and machine learning to accurately match patient records and assign a unique, provider-neutral identifier to each patient. A recent pilot provided proof that this PEI Solution improves the ability to identify a patient across multiple data sets in disparate systems across multiple states. There will likely be additional pilots as NCPDP increases its efforts to advance the PEI solution to improve patient safety and efficient patient management and care.
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Listen to learn about results from Phase 1 of NCPDP's National Facilitator Model Demonstration Project, how it addresses data silos, and reactions to the findings. In this podcast episode, NCPDP’s President & CEO Lee Ann Stember talks with three special guests: J.W. Hill, MBAHCM, CNED, NCPDP’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the NCPDP Foundation; Tom Groom of STChealth, our technical partner; and Julie Suko, FDB (First Databank, Inc.), an NCPDP Elite Partner and the NCPDP Foundation’s Inaugural Patient Safety Founders Gift Donor. Plus, hear what’s ahead in Phase 2 of the Demonstration Project.
Funding for the pilot project is provided by an NCPDP Foundation grant of $150,000 awarded to STChealth. The NCPDP Foundation grant is funded by the Lee Ann Stember Endowment; Founders Gift Donors FDB (First Databank, Inc.) and GoodRx; and its general fund. Both STChealth and Experian Health have provided in-kind support and reduced fees to support the pilot.
Resources:
NCPDP National Facilitator Model Phase 1 Report
Podcast Episode on National Facilitator Model
NCPDP’s President & CEO Lee Ann Stember speaks with Tom Groom, Chief Operating Officer of STChealth, NCPDP’s Technical Partner leading the pilot launch of NCPDP’s National Facilitator Model.
Learn about how the model is being deployed to demonstrate its use and value on a broader scale – to provide real-time, actionable data at the point of care to improve public health preparedness and response.
In this in-depth episode, NCPDP's President & CEO Lee Ann Stember speaks with Bob Katter, President of FDB (First Databank, Inc.), on a wide range of topics from strategic alignment on patient safety, innovation and supporting the expanded role of pharmacists, to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, how to innovate using NCPDP standards and a look ahead at 2023 with precision medicine and pharmacogenomics. FDB is an NCPDP Elite Partner and is the NCPDP Foundation's Inaugural Patient Safety Founders Gift Donor.
In this podcast episode, NCPDP’s President & CEO Lee Ann Stember speaks with Todd Grover, President, CEO, and a co-founder of PharmacyFocus, an NCPDP Elite Partner. Listen to learn how and why PharmacyFocus made the leap from just a Technical Partner to an Elite Partner as well; how support for dataQ® and resQ™ is an investment back in the industry; and how the PharmacyFocus team leveraged their membership in NCPDP to propel their company growth.
In this podcast episode, NCPDP’s President & CEO Lee Ann Stember speaks with Mark Gingrich, Chief Information Officer of Surescripts. Mark discusses areas of shared strategic alignment between Surescripts & NCPDP, healthcare issues that Surescripts is currently addressing and an update on Surescripts’ National Progress Report.
NCPDP President & CEO Lee Ann Stember speaks with David Holladay of CoverMyMeds for an inside look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated medication access challenges. He shared insights from the CoverMyMeds 2021 Medication Access Report and discusses the trends that we can expect to see in 2022.