The Pharmacy Coalition had a big day in Harrisburg on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Marc Ost and I started by attending fundraisers with Senators Capelletti and Ward, and we got lots of personal time with them. Next up was an…
Author: Monica Abel
PA Auditor General DeFoor: Lack of Oversight by DHS and Spread Pricing by PBMs Cost PA Taxpayers $7 Million in 2022
Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today [Aug. 28] released a performance audit that showed Pennsylvania taxpayers paid $7 million more for Medicaid prescription drug benefits than they should have during 2022 because of lack of oversight by the Department…
Waivers and Exemptions Beyond The Stabalization Period
The FDA recently determined that Small Dispensers could be exempt from the Nov 2024 DSCSA requirements. Below is a link for the FDA information on the waivers and exemptions. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa/waivers-and-exemptions-beyond-stabilization-period?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery PRS/Advasur–One of our partners through FPN– has put together a…
Total Pharmacy Solutions Summit
The Total Pharmacy Solutions Summit® powered by Drug Topics® takes place on July 13th from 9 AM – 3:45 PM EDT. The highly anticipated keynote session Taking Care of Transparency in Drug Pricing, So Pharmacy Can Take Care of Patients:…
ell Your Legislators PBM Reform is Urgent for Community Pharmacies and Their Patients
Help us build on the momentum of our successful Congressional Pharmacy Fly-in and keep the pressure on Congress by calling or emailing your legislators TODAY and urge them to immediately act on PBM reform by including it in the upcoming…
Rising prescription drug costs pricing pharmacies out of business
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Filling a prescription is becoming harder and harder for some consumers as pharmacies are in the midst of what the industry is calling “a crisis.” Eighty pharmacies have closed in Pennsylvania since January 1st and many more closures…
Philadelphia Pharmacists Raise Alarm About Industry Struggles as Rite Aid Closes More Stores
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia pharmacists are raising an alarm about a growing trend in the industry amid Rite Aid’s announcement that it is closing several more stores in the Philadelphia region. The Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists, or PARD, says many pharmacies…
Total Pharmacy Solutions Summit
Register for Total Pharmacy’s free virtual event featuring educational sessions on strategies regarding Elevating Patient-Centric Care. This event will be held Saturday, April 13th, 2024 from 9AM – 3PM EST. Explore, learn, and earn up to 2.0 live CE credits at…
LOWERING HEALTHCARE COSTS AND BRINGING TRANSPARENCY TO THE PBM’S
PARD Board Member ChiChi Momah, owner of Springfield Pharmacy, was at the White House on March 5th for a discussion with the FTC. Also on the panel was Mark Cuban who had some powerful comments in support of independent pharmacy. …
Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In: April 17-18, 2024
Join pharmacy owner peers for meetings with lawmakers and their staff to affect change in community pharmacy legislation, this is your chance. It’s also a chance to be in-the-know on impending actions. Last year, in his remarks to fly-in attendees, House Oversight…
Tell Congress to Finish the Job on PBM Reform
Please take a moment and contact your legislators, and thank them for the progress made on PBM reform and remind them there is still work to do. PBM reform is advancing in both houses of Congress, but there is still…
PA Standing Order for Naloxone
Here is a link to the PA standing order for naloxone, now including the OTC version. As you get the OTC version in, make sure you inform your customers that this is covered by insurance 100%. Suggest some signage. The…
NCPA Unveils an Opportunity to Fight Back Against DIR Fees
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2023) – The National Community Pharmacists Association on Sunday announced a major new legal initiative for pharmacies that have been victimized by the unconscionable behavior of the largest pharmacy benefit managers that NCPA says have made billions…
In Case of Robbery – Steps To Take
Here is a reminder of what to do in case of robbery/looting at your pharmacy: In Case of Robbery-Keystone 2020 Updates
Fall 2023 RSV Decision Making for People 60 and Over
This resource is meant to inform on actions to take based on vaccines that are currently in stock at point of care, and vaccine co-administration strategies. Useful information in talking with adults about vaccines to prevent respiratory illnesses during cold…
NCPA 2023 Annual Convention
Use promo code BUY100 to receive $100 off your registration. Register at https://ncpa.org/annual-convention
Updates to PHE and PREP
Attached is a summary of the updates to PHE and PREP mean to pharmacies. It is strongly encouraged to print this out for your pharmacy staff. Updates PHE vs PREP Act
NCPA: Talk to Your Patients First Before the PBMs do!
If you don’t talk to your patients about Medicare enrollment, you can bet the PBMs and Big Insurance will. You can cut through their propaganda and help your patients choose the best plan for them by talking to them first.…
NCPA Educational Reality Series, “Show Me” Featuring Gwen and Chris O’Neill of Circle Pharmacy
Save the date for Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. ET. NCPA is hosting a watch party, via Zoom and Facebook, of our new educational reality series, “Show Me.” The series is produced by the NCPA Innovation Center and made possible…
FTC to Ramp Up Enforcement Against Any Illegal Rebate Schemes
The Federal Trade Commission announced that it will ramp up enforcement against any illegal bribes and rebate schemes that block patients’ access to competing lower-cost drugs. The enforcement policy statement issued today puts drug companies and prescription drug middlemen on notice that…
Prices for New Drugs Are Rising 20 Percent a Year. Congress Needs to Act.
Millions of Americans are forced to ration or go without prescription drugs because of their high cost. Yet Congress has so far failed to pass legislation to lower drug prices. Read more here.
NCPA 2022 Annual Convention
Registration goes live June 14th. Pharmacists will receive $100 off registration with promo code BUY100. ← Click on the picture to go to the registration page at NCPA.
Red Flags for Dispensing Controls
With the recent Rochester Drug decision, and multi-million dollar fines being levied on wholesalers for sending CS to pharmacies that use a disproportionate amount of CS, this will only get worse. Wholesalers would rather cut off a questionable pharmacy than…
NCPA FAQs for Over-the-Counter, At-Home COVID-19 Test Coverage and Access
How do patients get a free over-the-counter COVID-19 test? See the answer along with more FAQs provided by NCPA at the link below: ncpa-faqs-covid19-test
FDA Anticipated to Approve Pfizer Vaccine for Children
FDA anticipated to approve Pfizer Vaccine for Children in the next two weeks. Pfizer guidance attached below. Pfizer Peds One Pager REFERENCEPLANNINGONLY_14OCT2021
What does the aspirin news mean for me?
For years, many doctors have recommended that people in their 50s start taking a low-dose aspirin every day to protect heart health and, more recently, to prevent colon cancer. So it was a shock this week when an independent panel…
MEDICARE PART D 2022 GET TO KNOW IT!
Open Enrollment: October 15th – December 7th Understanding Medicare Part D can be a challenge for customers and pharmacists. Keeping up to date with these changes will keep your stress to a minimum. As 2022 is offering new plans to…
Medicare Plan D 2022: Open Enrollment October 15th through December 7th 2021
Click on the link from NCPA on Medicare plan D for 2022. https://ncpa.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/part-d-2022-fact-sheet.pdf
NCPA Annual Convention 2021
Registration is now open! Click here to register: https://ncpa.org/annual-convention
Testing, Vaccinating, and Cross-Selling
Let’s face it, you’ve worked so hard to get the COVID-19 testing and vaccinating supplies into your pharmacy, and your community is incredibly thankful. Now, with summer upon us and traveling tourists needing testing done, the recent adolescent approval for…
Get on Board with Technology
Historically, pharmacies have been slow to get on board with technological advances, but this is changing rapidly. The healthcare industry is in the process of being redefined by some heavy-hitting disruptions. These include increased competition, value-based care, digital health, and…
Front-End Pharmacy Refresh
When it comes to your pharmacy one of the most significant opportunities to increase sales comes from your front-end. Ask yourself, is your pharmacy’s front-end in tip-top shape? Sure, you’ve straightened out and pulled items forward to make a nice,…
Take Your Pharmacy’s Legislator to Work
As an independent pharmacy owner, it is essential to meet with your lawmakers and invite them to visit your pharmacy to discuss issues affecting your practice and patients. Lawmakers are elected by you as their constituents. They must hear from…
Traits Utilized by Successful Independent Pharmacies
It is no secret that successful, independent pharmacies do not just happen – they are the product of dedication, hard work, exceptional customer service, and innovative thinking. But even with all these qualities, sometimes it is hard to narrow down…
Retail Pharmacy Robbery Tips and Prevention
Pharmacy burglaries and robberies are on the rise. According to the DEA, in 2018, the United States saw over 676 retail burglaries and 107 armed retail robberies, with California, Maryland, and Texas being the top states with the most incidents.1…
FAQs for Indy Health Insurance Company Network Pharmacies
Indy Health Insurance Company entered into a voluntary rehabilitation receivership with the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner. Additionally, CMS and Indy Health Insurance Company are working toward terminating their 2021 Medicare Part D contract. The rehabilitation process can be a very lengthy…
Trends to Grow Independent Pharmacy in 2021
Growing your community pharmacy can be tricky work. Faced with a global pandemic, fierce competition, loads of red tape, and declining profit margins, many community pharmacies are taking on those shrinking profits with an end goal of growing their business…
Double Your Impact for Healthy Hearts
Heart disease remains the leading killer of women in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association’s newly released 2021 Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics. Every year it kills one woman approximately every 80 seconds, taking more lives than all…
COVID-19 NEWS AND INFORMATION – NEW ORDER BY ACTING SECRETARY OF HEALTH
Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Vaccine Providers’ Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines Effective today, the Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health issued a new Order to increase the administration of vaccine dosages received; ensure ease…
The Hidden Force Shaping Drug Prices – WHYY
Every time you get a prescription drug, you’re dealing with a middleman you’ve probably never heard of — one who has had a hand in how much your drug costs. The same middleman decides which drugs are covered by your…
Help Get Eligible Pharmacy Patients Vaccinated
Immunization rates in the United States remain well under the Healthy People 2020 target, translating to about 56,000 deaths in the U.S. each year that could have been prevented through vaccinations.1 As a go-to destination for care and seasonal illness…
The Cost Of Mail Order Rx
Consumers, employers, and public health officials should consider the potential risks before they allow health insurance companies to steer patients into mail order. See graphic by NCPA here for stats: Mail Order Details
Support Healthy Immunity Habits with Pharmacy Patients
When fully optimized, our immune system helps prevent infections and destroys viruses without us ever giving this process a second thought. We usually only consider our immune system only after we have come down with something. Keeping our immune system…
Improving Medication Adherence with Your Patients
2021 is upon us, and our member pharmacies are continually looking for ways to improve their standings, profits, and pharmacy’s ability to thrive and grow. Our members can increase their chances for success by placing a good portion of time…
NCPA Launches Campaign Exposing “The Truth” About PBMs
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Oct. 20, 2020) — The National Community Pharmacists Association today launched a new campaign, “The Truth,” aimed at countering a big-money propaganda effort by the pharmacy benefit manager lobby to obscure their role in the high cost of drugs and the…
SCOTUS: Victory!
The Supreme Court of the United States issued its landmark ruling in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), determining whether community pharmacies are protected from abusive payment practices. The unanimous (8 to 0) decision ruled in favor of the interests of patients…
COVID-19 Vaccine Plans for Pharmacies
To expand access to COVID-19 services, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has authorized state-licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 vaccinations, once they are made available, to patients aged three years and older.1 The HHS and CDC…
Diabetes Care: Merchandise, Management, & Medication
Diabetes affects over 34 million people and is the seventh leading cause of deaths here in the United States. In fact, in the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American…
Millennials: Shaping Healthcare in the United States
Healthcare in the United States is evolving. Factors such as politics and policy to generational differences affect how healthcare is approached. As more millennials enter the healthcare market, it’s becoming clear that their wellness approach is much different than those…
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