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Do you know how to use a SWOT analysis effectively—or are you making common mistakes that keep your strategy from reaching its full potential? In this episode, we break down what a SWOT is, why it matters for your business, and how to leverage your strengths, address weaknesses, and take advantage of opportunities in your market. We’ll also cover the pitfalls many business owners encounter when conducting a SWOT and share practical tips to make this classic tool a true driver of strategic planning and growth. Tune in to learn how to think strategically and set your business up for success.

In this episode, we sit down with a past president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) for an insightful conversation on leadership and caring for older adults.    We also dive into what it means to be an age-friendly pharmacist, exploring how the Age-Friendly Health Systems framework and the 4Ms can be applied in real-world pharmacy settings.  Finally, we break down how pharmacists can earn their Age-Friendly Pharmacist badge. Get your Age-Friendly Pharmacist Badge here:  https://www.ascp.com/page/agefriendly Tamara Ruggles, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP: www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-ruggles-491882251 Deborah A Milito, Pharm D, BCGP, FASCP, Age-Friendly Pharmacist:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-milito-32a28156/  

The Pharmacy 50 Awards are back for the 2025 season, celebrating the people who are pushing the profession forward through leadership, innovation, advocacy, education, and patient care. In Part 2 of this 4-part series, we spotlight an incredible group of pharmacy professionals and industry leaders representing the full spectrum of pharmacy—from independent practice and health systems to digital health, specialty pharmacy, philanthropy, and beyond. This series is designed to recognize the voices shaping the future of pharmacy and to inspire the next wave of leadership across healthcare.   Walter Oronsaye PharmD — Social Media Influencer Emily Durham, MS, CPhT — Compounding Christopher Bowens, PharmD — Health System Hospital Pharmacy Mark Duman, MRPharmS — Technology & Digital Health Greg Reybold — Advocacy, Policy, Regulation or Government Dave Randolph, BSPharm — Independent Pharmacy Kelley D. Carlstrom, PharmD — Specialty Pharmacy Andy Crawford — Independent Pharmacy Brandi Chane, CPhT — Independent Pharmacy Mayank Amin, PharmD — Independent Pharmacy Chris Antypas, PharmD — Specialty Pharmacy Tarah Slusher Davis, PharmD — Independent Pharmacy

TWIRx – January 30 | Special Guest: Marc Essensa, CEO of IPC On this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, we welcome Marc Essensa, President and CEO of the Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC), to discuss timely strategies and resources helping independent pharmacies strengthen their businesses in today’s challenging environment. Building Your Independent Pharmacy Business Marc shares insights on navigating reimbursement pressure, improving margins, and leveraging IPC’s purchasing power, data, and strategic tools to support long-term sustainability. The Payment Card Settlement: A Practical Guide We break down IPC’s guidance on the Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement, which may allow pharmacies that accepted Visa or Mastercard between 2004–2019 to recover funds. Marc explains eligibility, next steps, and how recovered dollars can support cash flow, staffing, technology, or inventory investments. IPC Member Support Services The conversation highlights IPC’s expanded member support offerings, including business consulting, strategic partnerships, wholesale access, and operational resources designed to help independents stay competitive. Legislative & Advocacy Updates Marc also provides updates on IPC’s advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels, focused on protecting independent pharmacy interests and addressing ongoing policy and reimbursement challenges. 🔗 Resource Mentioned The Payment Card Settlement: A Practical Guide – IPC https://www.ipcrx.com/pharmacy-blog/news/the-payment-card-settlement-a-practical-guide/ Special guest:  Sakhi Gaurang Patel is a trailblazing PharmD candidate at the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and a co-founder of the startup CuraVoice. Recognized for her work in healthcare equity, mentorship, and educational technology, she focuses on improving patient communication and reducing health disparities. Featured Guest: Dr. Jenny Newlon, PharmD — Researcher and Pharmacist with Birth Control Pharmacist In this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, we sit down with Dr. Jenny Newlon to explore how pharmacist consultants, health clinics, and independent pharmacies can build high-value contraception services that meet urgent community needs. We discuss practical strategies for delivering accessible birth control care—especially in areas that have lost Planned Parenthood centers—while creating new revenue models outside the constraints of traditional PBM reimbursement. Dr. Newlon breaks down: How pharmacies can implement contraception services—even with limited staff or clinical infrastructure Ways to deliver value to patients and communities through education, access, and continuity of care Forward-thinking business models that diversify revenue beyond dispensing Tune in to learn how independent pharmacy teams can lead with care, expand women’s health access, and strengthen their role as trusted healthcare providers. Today's "This Week in Pharmacy" is sponsored by Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)

In this powerful episode of MaternalRx on the Pharmacy Podcast Network, host Danielle Plummer, PharmD, speaks with pharmacist Willie Bawarski and his wife, Olivia, about their deeply personal journey through infertility, IVF treatment, foster care, and adoption. Willie and Olivia share the emotional, physical, and financial realities of trying to conceive, navigating fertility treatments, and facing the grief that often accompanies infertility. When their path to parenthood changed, they chose to open their hearts and home through foster care and adoption, ultimately building a beautiful family in ways they never expected. This conversation highlights the critical role pharmacists and healthcare professionals play in supporting patients experiencing infertility and those considering foster care or adoption. Listeners will gain practical insight into using compassionate language, empathy, and trauma-informed care to support individuals and couples during some of the most vulnerable seasons of their lives. Whether you are facing infertility, exploring IVF, considering adoption, working within maternal health, or caring for patients on these journeys, this episode offers hope, validation, and a reminder that family is defined by love, not biology. 🔗 Learn more about adoption: https://adoptuskids.org/ 🔗 Connect with Danielle Plummer, PharmD: www.linkedin.com/in/daniellerplummer/

There is still a lot more you should know about drastic price reductions on key brand name drugs.   The Manufacturer Fair Price (MFP) price reductions have now hit, but there are still things a pharmacy can do to mitigate gross profit loses.  Jay Blackburn, CEO of the Compliant Pharmacy Alliance (CPA) shares several tips, tactics and techniques that he suggests you understand.  It will pay for you to understand and act on now! More information can be had on the CPA website:  www.compliantrx.com 

What happens when your doctor prescribes a medication that does not exist? Not backordered. Not insurance denied. It simply is not made anywhere. In this episode of Rated Rx Podcast, pharmacists break down compounding pharmacy, why it exists, and why some patients would not survive without it. This is one of the most misunderstood areas of healthcare, and it answers a question people search online every day: what happens when standard medications do not work for you? You hear real examples involving pediatric epilepsy, elderly patients with complex medication regimens, feeding tubes, allergies to dyes and fillers, and rare conditions where mass-produced drugs fail. The episode explains how compounding pharmacists legally create customized medications by changing dosage forms, removing allergens, combining medications, and creating formulations that pharmaceutical companies never made. The crew also tackles the biggest misconception around compounding medications, including why compounded drugs are not FDA approved, what regulations actually apply, how USP standards protect patients, and why this work is highly regulated rather than experimental. Sterile compounding, non-sterile compounding, safety checks, pharmacist verification, and real-world problem solving are all explained clearly so you understand how these medications are made safely and legally. This episode helps patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals understand when compounding is appropriate and why asking about it can change outcomes. For educational and entertainment purposes only. Follow Us At: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RatedRxPodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ratedrxpodcast/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574813907982 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ratedrxpodcast

The Pharmacy 50 Awards are back for the 2025 season, celebrating the people who are pushing the profession forward through leadership, innovation, advocacy, education, and patient care. In Part 1 of this 4-part series, we spotlight an incredible group of pharmacy professionals and industry leaders representing the full spectrum of pharmacy! From independent practice and health systems to digital health, specialty pharmacy, philanthropy, and beyond. This series is designed to recognize the voices shaping the future of pharmacy and to inspire the next wave of leadership across healthcare. 🎙️ Featured Honorees Part One Technology & Digital Health Yalda Olcott, PharmD — Technology & Digital Health Autumn-Kyoko Cushman — Technology & Digital Health Independent Pharmacy Josh Pirestani — Independent Pharmacy Amina Abubakar, PharmD — Independent Pharmacy Shawn Nairn, RPh — Independent Pharmacy Health System / Hospital Pharmacy Ultan McGlone, PharmD — Health System Hospital Pharmacy Alex C. Varkey, PharmD — Health System Hospital Pharmacy Brianna Latta, PharmD — Health System Hospital Pharmacy Academia & Pharmacy Education C. Daniel Mullins, PhD — Academia & Pharmacy Educator Philanthropy | Charitable Pharmacy Jordyn Nordé, PharmD — Philanthropy | Charitable Pharmacy Specialty Pharmacy Laly Havern, PharmD — Specialty Pharmacy Pharmacy Technician Ellaine Sisomphou-Ramos, CPhT — Pharmacy Technician Medical Affairs / Industry Brandon Shank, PharmD — Medical Science Liaison Social Media Influence Laura Dowling, BPharm — Social Media Influencer ⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode In this first installment, we highlight how today’s pharmacy leaders are: Advancing innovation and digital transformation Strengthening independent pharmacy impact in local communities Elevating health system pharmacy practice and patient safety Expanding pharmacy’s influence through education, research, and advocacy Supporting access to care through charitable pharmacy and philanthropy Growing specialty pharmacy leadership and patient outcomes Recognizing the essential role of pharmacy technicians Driving clinical education and strategy in medical affairs Using platforms and storytelling to shape pharmacy’s public voice 📌 About the Pharmacy 50 Awards The Pharmacy 50 Awards recognize individuals across pharmacy and healthcare who are creating measurable impact, leading change, and building the future of the profession. The 2025 season showcases innovators, disruptors, and patient-centered leaders who represent pharmacy’s growing role in healthcare delivery.

In this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, we explore how the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN) is deepening connections across healthcare by elevating pharmacists’ voices in the conversations that matter most. Inspired by the recent partnership between podcasting giant PodcastOne and the AI-driven analytics platform Listener, we highlight how PPN is using the same type of advanced engagement metrics—combining podcast listener data, social media signals, and network insights—to measure true influence, not just downloads.  With Listener’s powerful data, PPN can now identify where pharmacists are making the greatest impact and uncover new opportunities to expand pharmacist positioning with other providers, industry leaders, and the public. Plus, Todd sits down one-on-one with Kris Rhea of Pharmacy Market Place for an insightful conversation on AI in pharmacy—exploring how artificial intelligence is shaping workflow, clinical decision-making, business operations, and what pharmacists need to know to stay ahead in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

In Episode 3 of Pharmacist-Prescribed, hosts Mary Kucek, PMP, Founder and CEO of OvaryIt, and Devin Bustin, MD, Chief Medical Officer of OvaryIt, explore how pharmacies can turn clinical services into sustainable, profitable offerings. The episode breaks down patient acquisition strategies, common billing and reimbursement challenges, staffing considerations, and how pharmacies can integrate clinical care without increasing overhead. Listeners will also learn how technology and policy changes, including the ECAPS Act, play a critical role in positioning pharmacists for long-term success as providers. Learn more about PRISM or request a demo at https://www.getprismrx.com

Cyber threats facing long-term care pharmacies continue to evolve, putting sensitive data, systems, and patient trust at risk. In this episode of FrameworkFocus, host Todd Eury sits down with Scott Beatty, President & CEO of SoftWriters, and Chris Callahan of Echelon Risk + Cyber to explore today’s threat landscape and practical strategies to strengthen cybersecurity maturity. From leadership accountability to real-world defense tactics, discover how pharmacies can improve security hygiene and build resilience without slowing innovation.

The American Diabetes Association's 2026 Standards of Care in Diabetes are here! Let’s talk about what’s changed and how to better care for our older adults living with diabetes. 2026 Standards of Care in Diabetes:  https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/49/Supplement_1 Tamara Ruggles, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP:  www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-ruggles-491882251 Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-isaacs-pharmd-bcps-bcacp-bc-adm-cdces-45803426/  

I was blown away by today’s guest in his ability to educate on complex mechanisms of actions, as well as his innovation and humility. We touched on so many topics that I had to split this episode in two parts! It was truly reassuring and empowering to learn about healing with natural, science-backed tools to reduce inflammation, the hidden root cause of aging, chronic disease, and cancer.  In these two episodes, you will learn how inflammation impacts health at a cellular level and how you can take proactive steps to restore vitality, strengthen immunity, and age with resilience.  Samuel Shepherd is an award winning physicist, inventor, and engineer with 42 patents and over 50 years of breakthroughs across biochemical, environmental, and medical engineering. His career has taken him from developing technologies for NASA and the Beijing Olympics to pioneering solutions in alternative energy and environmental remediation. But it was a deeply personal health challenge that led him to his most life-changing discovery.  In 2003, Samuel was diagnosed with a rare, untreatable bone marrow cancer. Conventional medicine offered no viable path forward, so he turned to his lifelong expertise in science and innovation. After years of research, he developed ValAsta, the only patented glycosidic form of astaxanthin designed specifically to target inflammation, the root cause of most chronic disease. His unique delivery system makes astaxanthin far more bioavailable than typical supplements, producing remarkable results for energy, mobility, sleep, and overall vitality in both people and pets. Today, Samuel is on a mission to educate others about how inflammation accelerates disease and diminishes quality of life, and how targeted natural solutions can restore health. Beyond his formidable credentials, his personal story of overcoming terminal illness fuels his passion for helping others age with strength, energy, and resilience. Connect with Samuel via: Email: [email protected]  Website: ValAsta  FB: ValAsta Youtube: @ValAsta Visit https://marinabuksov.com for more holistic content. Music from https://www.purple-planet.com.  Disclaimer: Statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.  

On today’s Executive Dose, host Stephen Beckman is joined by Representative Charity Grimm Krupa, who serves Pennsylvania’s 51st District in the House of Representatives, for a timely and insightful discussion on the evolving healthcare policy landscape in the Commonwealth. Together, they explore recent legislative developments in Pennsylvania that are shaping healthcare delivery, access, and affordability, with a particular focus on how state-level decisions often serve as early indicators for broader national trends. Stephen and Representative Grimm Krupa also examine the ripple effects Pennsylvania healthcare policy can have beyond state borders, highlighting why pharmacists, healthcare leaders, and industry stakeholders across the country should be paying close attention. From regulatory considerations to workforce challenges and patient-centered care initiatives, this episode offers valuable perspective on the intersection of policy, leadership, and healthcare innovation—and what it could mean for the future of healthcare nationwide.

I was blown away by today’s guest in his ability to educate on complex mechanisms of actions, as well as his innovation and humility. We touched on so many topics that I had to split this episode in two parts! It was truly reassuring and empowering to learn about healing with natural, science-backed tools to reduce inflammation, the hidden root cause of aging, chronic disease, and cancer.  In these two episodes, you will learn how inflammation impacts health at a cellular level and how you can take proactive steps to restore vitality, strengthen immunity, and age with resilience.  Samuel Shepherd is an award winning physicist, inventor, and engineer with 42 patents and over 50 years of breakthroughs across biochemical, environmental, and medical engineering. His career has taken him from developing technologies for NASA and the Beijing Olympics to pioneering solutions in alternative energy and environmental remediation. But it was a deeply personal health challenge that led him to his most life-changing discovery.  In 2003, Samuel was diagnosed with a rare, untreatable bone marrow cancer. Conventional medicine offered no viable path forward, so he turned to his lifelong expertise in science and innovation. After years of research, he developed ValAsta, the only patented glycosidic form of astaxanthin designed specifically to target inflammation, the root cause of most chronic disease. His unique delivery system makes astaxanthin far more bioavailable than typical supplements, producing remarkable results for energy, mobility, sleep, and overall vitality in both people and pets. Today, Samuel is on a mission to educate others about how inflammation accelerates disease and diminishes quality of life, and how targeted natural solutions can restore health. Beyond his formidable credentials, his personal story of overcoming terminal illness fuels his passion for helping others age with strength, energy, and resilience. Connect with Samuel via: Email: [email protected]  Website: ValAsta  FB: ValAsta Youtube: @ValAsta Visit https://marinabuksov.com for more holistic content. Music from https://www.purple-planet.com.  Disclaimer: Statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.