From every angle, the edifice of Richard Ost’s Philadelphia Pharmacy at the corner of North Front Street and East Lehigh in West Kensington is a sight to behold, one of the jewels of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts program. Artist Cesar Viveros painted bright…

Posted on May 10, 2020 By Jack Tomczuk Philadelphia Pharmacy in Kensington is helping man a hotline for people having trouble with their medications. Mural by Cesar Viveros. PHOTO: Steve Weinik for Mural Arts Earlier this month, a woman called…

Independent Pharmacy Press Release Since 1898, The PARD, an Association of Community Pharmacies (previously named the Philadelphia Association of Retail Pharmacies) has been serving our patients and been an important part of the community they serve. Their goals in the…

In these times of COVID-19, our Independent Pharmacies are on the front lines serving their patients like they have for over 100 years.  Where they use to deliver 10% of the prescriptions they dispensed, they are now delivering (FREE OF…

If your pharmacy is not efficiently managing your expired pharmaceutical returns, you could be leaving money on the shelf. In an independent community pharmacy where every dollar is important, the value of expired products can be significant. Pharmaceutical returns companies…

Independent Pharmacies are feeling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to members Rich Ost and Brad Tabaac for their input in these news story.   https://www.fox29.com/video/679139

Social distancing and stay at home orders have given us the motivation to get fit and healthy. More than ever people are outside bike riding, walking, jogging, and rollerblading (while safely maintaining the 6ft rule.) As an independent pharmacy you…

April 3, 2020 Dear Colleague, No doubt about it, our nation, our world is experiencing extraordinary times. Community pharmacies are the safety nets helping their communities in times of crisis and during normal times. But you need help too. The…

Please use the link below to join the webinar.  Prior to joining everyone who has not signed a non-disclosure agreement must go to http://indyhealthinc.com and fill out the non-disclosure form and contact information.  This helps us track our communications as well…

For small businesses owners who have questions about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s emergency loan, you can join one of the following webinars offered at 9:00 AM this week that still have open spots: April 1: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/26686 April 2: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/26687

PARD and IPBG has been in communication with Indy Health to identify a Medicare Part D plan that is owned by Independents. They formed the company about 3 years ago with 10 investors that put up a rather large sum of…

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that new funding is available to help small businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, through a new program under the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority’s (PIDA) Small Business First Fund, the COVID-19 Working…

It’s getting harder for local, community pharmacies to survive in Pennsylvania, thanks to the grossly unfair treatment we receive from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). When this happens, Pennsylvanians end up paying more for their prescription drugs and have less access…

CORONAVIRUS_Pharmacy Advice

CONTACT: Monique Whitney Monique@TruthRx.org (505) 480-4150   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2020 Newly Licensed Indy Health Insurance Company Aims to Restore Trust with the Debut of an Independent Pharmacy-Owned Medicare Part D Plan HARRISBURG, PA (March 9, 2020) –…

For community pharmacies, flu is not just a “season” that begins in October and runs through mid-Winter, instead flu is a year-long event that requires considerable planning. Pharmacists must begin implementing their flu plans now in order to be proactive…

Ever calculated how much profit is lost due to unfilled prescription orders? It is projected that revenue loss for non-adherence is estimated to be $564 billion. Medication non-adherence is one of the most serious problems in healthcare, posing a heavy…

I’d like to call your attention to an excellent analysis published yesterday by XIL Consulting, which is run by a former Express Scripts executive. The report focuses on how PBMs are manipulating the Medicare Part D system with DIR fees…

Share this video on your social media accounts and your store websites.

  CBD is everywhere. From gas stations to health food stores, even finding its way into local independent pharmacies. Studies say that by 2024, CBD will be a 20 billion1 dollar industry. This is a perfect opportunity for pharmacies to…

Watch a video here. Check for NACDS’ public policy recommendations and resources here.

Pharmacist John O’Brien, former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services senior adviser for Drug Pricing Reform and one of the key architects of President Trump’s American Patients First blueprint, will be the marquee speaker for NCPA’s 2020 Multiple Locations Conference,…

You’ve heard the terms – Dog Dad, Cat Mom, Fur Babies – these titles are clear indicators on how much the owner and pet role has changed in your patient’s household. In 2019, Americans spent more than 75 billion on…

When you think of running an independent pharmacy, social media probably isn’t high up on your list. However, while social media isn’t as important as maintaining your inventory, it can be an incredibly powerful tool for growing and maintaining your…

“It’s A Retail Apocalypse!” “Traditional Retail is Dead!” “The Fall of Brick & Mortar!” These are just a few of the headlines we’ve experienced over the past five years and, to be fair, the introduction of online shopping giants (Amazon,…

When it comes to improving patient outcomes, experiences, or your independent pharmacy’s bottom line, success relies on your ability to provide service in a timely and efficient manner. Disruptive innovations are everywhere. The challenges these disruptions pose act like jackknifed…

Pennsylvanians are losing BILLIONS of dollars every year in potential prescription drug savings. The only problem is most have no idea because they aren’t familiar with the commonwealth’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). To read more: What PBMs Don’t Want You To…

Your PA Community Pharmacies is a coalition of your independent pharmacies across Pennsylvania, who take pride in being long-standing members of the community. To read more: Your PA Community Pharmacies

58 percent may close in next two years, says a national NCPA survey Read the press release here from NCPA

It’s open enrollment time. Click on the links below for valuable information, list of helpful resources, and materials to help you talk to your patients. Since Keystone covers NCPA membership, members of Keystone should take advantage of the resources readily…

Quality is quickly becoming more important to customers than price when considering a purchase. In fact, a recent study found that 53 percent of customers polled rated quality higher than price (38 percent) as a deciding factor when buying a…

As your pharmacy and patients jump headfirst into the school year and fast forward into flu season, it’s a good time to recover from the ongoing controversy surrounding vaccinations and refocus on their benefits to the community. To read more: KPPA_3…

Communication, beyond simply great services, is likely the top way for an independent pharmacy to bust through patient connection barriers. But beyond going back to grad school to master health literacy, what are key methods we can use to ensure…

While drug makers are working to develop medications and make them more marketable, physicians and providers are doing double-duty ensuring patients receive the medications and therapies best suited for their individual needs. And these events open opportunities for community pharmacies.…

Your PA Community Pharmacies_Sept Your PA Community Pharmacies is a coalition of your independent pharmacies across Pennsylvania, who take pride in being long-standing members of the community.  Check out the above link for current news articles across Pennsylvania counties.

Unemployment rates in the US are at their lowest in decades. This is great news for the economy; however, it can result in complications when attempting to fill open positions in your pharmacy. Click to read more: Building Your Pharmacy’s Top…

NCPA has developed a blank USP <800> risk assessment template, and a sample template for testosterone, to help you create your own risk assessments for each hazardous drug as required by USP <800>. USP General Chapter <800>’s implementation date is…

Effective 12/1/2019, the following procedures for handling Hazardous Drugs must be complied with: Here is the latest list (May 2019) of Hazardous Drugs from NIOSH – Lists drugs such as Dilantin, Klonopin, Coumadin, & Depakote so please review carefully. These…

Out of all the challenges thrown at independent pharmacies today, those most likely to keep you awake at night are financial – especially as you continue to take on retail giants. In fact, these challenges are so pressing, they continue…

Some researchers say that pharmaceuticals have grown to consume up to 30 percent of each healthcare dollar. With that in mind, your community pharmacy may need to rethink traditional care models to drive improved outcomes and value – or risk…

Keystone_Blog_4 Trends that Make or Break Pharmacy

Purpose: – Expose unfair PBM practices in reimbursements, such as MAC Payments, price discrimination compared to amounts paid to mail order and mega-chains. – Focus attention on a single, large PBM – Minimize individual pharmacies legal costs by using the…

Keystone_Blog_80 20 Rule Make More_062119

Keystone_Blog_Building Adherence into Your Pharmacy

NCPA 2019 Annual Convention. Special Code for Keystone Members, save $100 using code Buy100. This rate is for owner/managers and staff pharmacists ONLY. Don’t miss out on this amazing rate and all that Convention has to offer. Mark your calendar…

Learn how to prepare your business and to navigate the reimbursement process for annual flu vaccines. We are excited to invite you and your members to participate in an upcoming webinar on the topic of payer reimbursement for influenza vaccines…

ASPIRE HEALTH PHARMACY SERVICES Launches Independent Pharmacy GPO Groundbreaking Independent Pharmacy Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) is focused on leveling the competitive playing field among PBMs, wholesalers, health plans and manufacturers.  Click here for full Press Release

NCPA has created sample comments that you can easily and quickly submit through our grassroots portal. It is vital that as many comments as possible are submitted prior to the Jan. 25 deadline to compel the administration to finalize their…