Advertise on podcast: Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Fair Jones, Owner of Sav‑Mor Drugs & Gifts in Grenada, Mississippi, to talk all things ownership and advocacy. Fair shares her experiences stepping into pharmacy ownership in 2019, navigating curbside-only operations during COVID, and why reimbursement/PBM pressures pushed her to start speaking up online — including the moment she realized she made $0.88 on six prescriptions. In doing so, Fair shows how to balance meeting margins and pushing for reform in the industry.  Follow Fair's Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/fairpenderjones   00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro  00:23 – Fair’s Early Path Into Pharmacy  04:55 – Retail Burnout & the Push Toward Ownership  08:16 – Taking Ownership of Sav‑Mor in 2019  11:53 – Six Months of Curbside‑Only During COVID  17:21 – Med Sync, Inventory Control & Staying Afloat  23:30 – The $0.88 Reimbursement Story  29:17 – Becoming a Voice for Pharmacy Advocacy  33:33 – Full‑Circle Moment at Ole Miss  38:09 – Tech, Tools & Pioneer‑Driven Efficiency    Hosted By: Johnathon Duhon | VP of PMS Sales, RedSail Technologies  Guest: Fair Jones | Owner, Sav-Mor Drugs and Gifts    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

This week, we sat down with Valley Apothecary co‑owner Paula Shaffer to talk about building a community‑focused independent pharmacy in Ketchum, Idaho. Paula shares how their team expanded services like compounding, testing, supplements, and vaccinations—plus how they became a critical resource during COVID‑19. Along the way, she reflects on challenges facing independent pharmacies, the impact of technology on workflow, and how she supports better health in even the most remote of mountain towns.    00:00 - Introducing Valley Apothecary  03:15 - Paula’s path to pharmacy ownership  07:58 - Serving a small mountain community  12:34 - Compounding, supplements & added services  15:40 - Becoming the town’s primary vaccinators  18:56 - Overcoming barriers in independent pharmacy  23:42 - Switching to new technology & workflow gains  32:10 - The future of community-focused pharmacy care    Hosted By: Johnathon Duhon | VP of PMS Sales, RedSail Technologies  Guest: Paula Shaffer | Owner, Valley Apothecary    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

Alec Ginsberg, COO of C.O. Bigelow, takes us inside America’s oldest pharmacy to share its 187-year history (and why it’s still thriving today). From celebrity customers to the fight against PBMs, Alec shows how independent pharmacies can survive and why he launched Drugstore Cowboy to educate consumers and push for change. If you care about the future of healthcare, this is a conversation worth hearing.    Subscribe to Drugstore Cowboy here: https://drugstorecowboy.com/     01:50 - Inside America’s Oldest Pharmacy  06:37 - Celebrities Need Pharmacists Too  11:07 - Why I Chose the Counter Over the Stage  18:10 - Staffing Like Service Actually Matters  20:51 - The Business Beyond the Counter: Cosmetics & Hotels  25:36 - Drugstore Cowboy: Why I’m Poking the Bull  40:30 - The $80K Patient: What PBMs Do to Real People  52:38 - The Mom Test: Why Service Still Wins     Hosted By: Johnathon Duhon | VP of PMS Sales, RedSail Technologies  Guest:  Alec Ginsberg | COO, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

Autumn-Kyoko Cushman “AK” joins the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast to share her journey from Navy hospital corpsman to co‑founder of ShiftRx. She talks about overcoming personal challenges, building a pharmacy staffing marketplace, and unveiling Holly, their new AI healthcare administrator launching in January. This episode is about resilience, innovation, and reimagining the future of healthcare.    Learn more about ShiftRx: https://www.shiftrx.io/    00:00 — Intro and episode overview  01:22 — Welcome, AK’s background, and episode goals  03:28 — 2008 crisis, entrepreneurship at home, and path to the Navy  06:45 — Executive medicine, healthcare reform insights, and COVID side gigs  10:51 — IBM, precision medicine, mom’s diagnosis, and mission shift  19:32 — Founding ShiftRx: marketplace challenges and impact  23:36 — Meet Holly: AI healthcare administrator + January launch  44:19 — Move to SF, funding, and the future of AI in pharmacy (closing)    Hosted By: Johnathon Duhon | VP of PMS Sales, RedSail Technologies  Guest: Autumn-Kyoko Cushman | CEO, ShiftRx    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

Jennifer Shannon, PharmD shares one of the most inspiring journeys in independent pharmacy. From opening Lily’s Pharmacy with no patients, to building a pioneering transitions-of-care program, to fighting PBM patient steering at the state level, Jennifer has pushed for better care at every turn.  She walks through how FairRx saved their business, how her community rallied behind her, how her kids supported seniors during COVID, and how she and her husband now run a 39-stall equine farm. It’s a story of advocacy, resilience, and redefining what pharmacy can be.  This episode also marks a special moment for our team — a heartfelt farewell to Mark Bivins, whose presence, leadership, and passion helped shape so much of what this podcast has become.    00:00 — Jennifer Shannon’s Origin Story & Why She Opened Lily’s Pharmacy  03:42 — Building a Pharmacy With No Patients: Community, Cupcakes & Persistence  08:55 — The Transitions-of-Care Program That Changed Everything  14:12 — Taking on CVS/Caremark & Testifying Against PBM Abuse  21:40 — The Birth of FairRx and Fighting to Save Their Pharmacy  29:03 — Kids Helping Seniors During COVID: A Community Moment  34:28 — How Jennifer Became an “Accidental” Equine Pharmacist  41:10 — A Heartfelt Farewell to Mark Bivins    Hosted By: Mark Bivins  Guest: Jennifer Shannon | Owner of Lily’s Pharmacy    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com

Pharmacists have been vaccinating for years—it's about time they get the recognition (and reimbursement) they deserve. Marc Ost, Co-Owner of Eric’s RX Shoppe in Horsham, PA, is here to make it happen. Marc joins us to talk about how he’s driving change in vaccine access and reimbursement, from advocating with the FTC and state legislators to pioneering at-home immunization billing codes. He also shares what’s new this year in vaccine administration, how pharmacies can adapt to new Part B service codes, and why telling your story to lawmakers still matters.  👉 Learn how independent pharmacists are working to improve vaccination access and provide care to all communities.  https://www.ericsrx.com/   00:00 – Intro: Expanding Vaccine Access Through Independent Pharmacies02:10 – Patient Confidence & Combating Vaccine Confusion06:10 – Working With the State to Maintain Vaccine Access10:00 – The Reality of Vaccine Reimbursement & Billing Medical vs. PBM12:58 – Optimizing Workflow & Billing Efficiency in PioneerRx18:00 – Starting an Immunization Program From Scratch32:00 – At-Home Vaccinations: Using New Medicare CPT Codes42:00 – Advocacy & PBM Reform: Making It About Patient Impact   Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies  Guest: Marc Ost | Co-Owner at Eric’s RX Shoppe & Community Pharmacy Services    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

Join us for an exclusive conversation with NCPA President Jeff Harrell, where we talk about the future of pharmacy and the leadership that’s shaping it. Jeff shares how he and the NCPA team are working to reshape pharmacy education, advocate for fair reimbursement, and foster unity among owners everywhere. He also shares how he’s scaling his own business, Cascadia Pharmacy Group, throughout the Pacific Northwest, and what he’s learned along the way. Tune in for an insider’s look at industry shifts, trends, and opportunities, and what they mean for pharmacies nationwide.    Register today for NCPA Annual 2025 in New Orleans on October 18-21: https://ncpa.org/annual-convention  Cascadia Pharmacy Group website: www.cascadiapharmacygroup.com  Cascadia Pharmacy Group LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cascadia-pharmacy-group  Jeff’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-harrell-a9670510/  Beyond Prescriptions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_4I_rR_ltU  NCPA website: www.ncpa.org  00:00 – Welcome Back & Jeff Harrell Introduction 03:40 – Changing the Narrative in Pharmacy Schools 07:05 – The “Premium Gas” Analogy for Pharmacy 12:20 – Lessons from Around the World 27:00 – The Cascadia Model: Owning and Growing Smart 44:10 – Inside the Pharmacy: Efficiency, Systems, and Savings 49:25 – GLP-1 Challenges and Looking Ahead    Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies  Guest:  Jeff Harrell | President, NCPA    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

What does the future of pharmacy look like, and who’s leading the way? In this episode, Madeline Clark shares how she’s redefining what it means to be a pharmacist through a career that blends residency training, fellowship experience, and leadership across Moose Pharmacy, CPESN North Carolina, and CPESN USA. She also draws on her work with the NextGen pharmacist group to offer insight into how the profession is evolving and how we can keep the pace. Along the way, she shares new clinical service models, opportunities for payer engagement, and the importance of collaboration. Madeline’s message is clear: the future of pharmacy will be built by those ready to lead it.   00:00 – Madeline Clark’s journey into pharmacy and hybrid role02:43 – Launching NextGen to empower new pharmacy leaders07:36 – Emerging leaders and mentorship across states08:42 – Exciting new payer opportunities and care hub program12:05 – How EHR access and collaboration improve patient care15:24 – Med Sync as the foundation for better pharmacy services19:06 – Building team buy-in for innovation and growth   Guest:  Madeline Clark | Director of Clinical Services for Monroe, Moose Pharmacy    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

In this episode, Kate Riddell shares how she bridges the classroom with real-world practice. From prescribing authority and patient accessibility to competing with mail order and fighting misinformation, Kate offers an inspiring look at the evolving role of community pharmacy and the next generation of pharmacists.    00:00 – Introduction: Kate’s dual role in academia and practice 02:49 – Expanding pharmacist roles: test-and-treat & contraceptives 07:43 – Access, reimbursement & the future of community pharmacy 09:08 – Competing with mail order through personal service 12:43 – Innovating operations: med sync, inventory & student marketing 16:18 – Teaching leadership and entrepreneurship to future pharmacists 17:34 – Fighting misinformation online & guiding patients 21:14 – What Kate’s reading: balancing beach reads and big ideas    Guest: Kate Riddell | Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Butler University    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

When tragedy struck his family, Ritesh Shah asked himself a simple question: “How do I continue the oath I took as a pharmacist?” The answer became opening New Jersey’s first (and only) charitable pharmacy alongside President Joseph Howe, which has provided thousands of free prescriptions to uninsured and underserved patients since 2022. In this episode, Ritesh opens up about the loss that changed his life, the launch of his autobiography Pills to Purpose, and his mission to make sure that no one is left behind because of the cost of medication.  Buy Now:  Pills to Purpose: From the Pharmacy to the Frontlines: Healing Beyond the Counter: https://www.amazon.com/Pills-Purpose-Pharmacy-Frontlines-Healing/dp/B0FL26WT2Q/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0    00:00 – Introduction to Ritesh Shah & his mission   02:23 – From India to independent pharmacy in New Jersey   05:52 – Building seven pharmacies and leading Legacy Pharmacy Group   07:44 – Losing his sister & the inspiration for a charitable pharmacy   09:44 – Opening New Jersey’s first charitable pharmacy in 2022   13:27 – Training the next generation: preceptor programs & students   20:20 – How BestRx supported the mission during the pandemic   26:05 – The vital role of his wife Asha in making it possible   44:23 – Pills to Purpose: A pharmacist’s story    Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies & Hemal Desai | President, BestRx  Guest: Ritesh Shah, RPh | CEO & Managing Partner at Legacy Pharmacy Group & NJLEAF  & Joseph Howe | President, Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

T.J. Woodard didn’t set out to become a voice for pharmacy reform. But from his base in Baton Rouge, LA, he’s helped lead the charge against PBMs and protect independent pharmacies across Louisiana. T.J. joins us to share how his career has evolved from filling scripts to shaping state policy and how he sees the industry moving forward. He offers us a front-row view of Louisiana’s recent PBM victories, the behind-the-scenes negotiations that made them possible, and how other states can follow suit.  00:00 - Welcome and guest introduction  01:44 – T.J.’s unexpected journey into pharmacy  06:19 - Lessons from chain pharmacy to independence  14:07 - Opening a downtown Baton Rouge pharmacy  18:42 - Provider relationships that drive growth  28:18 - Stepping into state pharmacy advocacy  31:02 - Louisiana’s big PBM reform wins  42:46 - Pushback from PBMs and rallying support  46:01 - What’s next: Enforcing the new laws    Hosted By: Johnathon Duhon | Director of Sales, PioneerRx Guest: T.J. Woodard | Co-Owner, Prescriptions to Geaux    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

Nearly 9 in 10 pharmacists are at a high risk of burnout, but how do affected pharmacists find a path forward? In this episode, we sit down with Devan Conley, Pharmacist at TrueCare Pharmacy in Concord, NC, to find out firsthand. Devin discusses his journey with burnout—which crept up during COVID and kept on for years, culminating in a struggle with prescription misuse. But, more importantly, Devan shares how he recovered, and how that recovery reshaped the way that he approaches life and pharmacy alike. Today, Devan is a pharmacist at a 340B pharmacy inside a federally qualified health center, launching behavioral health and harm reduction programs so that anyone dealing with similar struggles can find support. Devan’s message is clear: Burnout doesn’t have to be the end of your story but the beginning of a new one.  00:00 - Introduction to Devan Conley & TrueCare Pharmacy  02:00 - Burnout During COVID and Its Lasting Impact  08:40 - Path to Recovery and Regaining His Pharmacy License  18:50 - Opening a 340B Pharmacy in a Behavioral Health Setting  26:20 - Expanding Services with Long-Acting Injectables & Women’s Health  33:10 - Harm Reduction Initiatives and Narcan Program  47:50 - Lessons in Leadership, Resilience, and Community Impact  52:20 - Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with Devan    Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies  Guest:  Devan Conley | Pharmacist, TrueCare Pharmacy     Devan’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/devan-conley-pharmd-msph-8732b87a/ 

Specialty pharmacy is one of the most critical areas of care—especially for patients with complex and chronic conditions—but scaling the business isn’t always easy. In this episode, Lori Maraist shows how pharmacists can do both. Lori, the Chief Operating Officer at Professional Arts Specialty Pharmacy, shares how she scaled her team from a small operation to a nationally recognized pharmacy with over 100 employees. She dives into how to carve out niches in specialty care, build a strong culture across a large team, and hire intentionally in high-stakes clinical environments. Whether you’re already in the specialty sector or just looking to learn more, Lori’s episode is one you won’t want to miss.    00:00 - Introduction to Lori Maraist and Professional Arts Pharmacy  02:11 - Lori’s Early Pharmacy Journey and Leadership Origins  06:16 - Evolution from Compounding to a Diversified Pharmacy Model   10:22 - Lessons in Change Management and Staff Buy-In  14:11 - Clinical Programs and Commercial Product Expansion  22:14 - National Licensure and Wound Care Specialization  31:00 - Hiring Philosophy and Building a Scalable Team  38:42 - Advice for Scaling a Pharmacy and Picking Leaders    Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies          Johnathon Duhon | Director of Sales, PioneerRx  Guest:  Lori Maraist | Chief Operating Officer at Professional Arts Specialty Pharmacy    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

What does it really mean to question the status quo? This week, we’re sitting down with Dared Price, a pharmacy owner who’s taking PBM reform from South Kansas all the way to Capitol Hill. Dared’s resumé is extensive: he’s started multiple pharmacies, built impressive clinical programs, and created a transparent PBM model that helped over 100 employer groups cut prescription costs. Lately, though, he’s turned his attention to PBM reform—and he’s already making waves: speaking at the White House, meeting with the Federal Trade Commission, and pushing for legislative change in the highest offices. In this episode, we dive into real-world wins in PBM reform, up-and-coming challenges, and how Dared is working to dismantle a broken system to build a better one.     https://oreadrx.com/    00:00 – Intro & Guest Intro   01:02 – Starting OreadRx   09:56 – Unbundling Benefits   14:14 – Working with Employers   21:22 – Kansas Policy Wins   28:27 – Speaking at the White House   36:58 – PBM Market Insights   42:40 – Future of Pharmacy      Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies  Guest: Dared Price | President, Price Pharmacies Inc.    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

Live from the Connect 2025 conference, PioneerRx superuser Rannon Ching shares how he and his pharmacy team are tackling new opportunities in the industry—all by getting their workflow right. He discusses how Texas legislation is opening doors, how you can leverage your team (and residents) to create new programs, and most importantly, how you can make practical workflow fixes to implement those programs. He also talks all things immunizations, organizations, and why pharmacy websites matter more than you think. If there’s one takeaway from Rannon, it’s this: When you free up workflow, you make space for everything else that matters.  01:14 – Tarrytown & PioneerRx Origin Story  03:54 – Senate Bill 1236 and Texas Advocacy  12:28 – Insulin Emergency Supply Bill  20:27 – Tarrytown's Mid-Year Focus  26:13 – Internal Operations & Front-End Strategy  32:02 – Med Sync Success & Staffing Strategy  44:02 – Residency Program & Leadership Development    Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies          Johnathon Duhon | Director of Sales, PioneerRx  Guest: Rannon Ching | President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Tarrytown Pharmacy    Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com