Independent Rx Forum

Hosted by National Community Pharmacists Association

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Episodes

101

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Independent Rx Forum with RxConnexion and National Community Pharmacists Association. The leading advocate and business education resource for America's independent pharmacists.

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60 recent

August 4, 2026Episode 8734 min

From Stigma to Support: Transforming Mental Health Care

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of self-harm, loss of loved ones, suicidal ideation, and other sensitive topics. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available at the mental health hotline #988. Hannah Fish, NCPA's senior director of strategic initiatives, joins host John Beckner in the studio for a conversation on the role pharmacists play in treating patients who struggle with mental health. Fish unpacks the necessity of continued destigmatization and education and shares her professional and personal journey with Mental Health First Aid training. Whether you are already MHFA certified or exploring training, this episode provides actionable insights on how to best support your patients. NCPA offers MHFA training in partnership with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Thanks to the support of the Cardinal Health Foundation, NCPA offers a $50 discount on all registration fees. For more information, please visit: https://ncpa.org/mental- health-first-aid

July 28, 2026Episode 8612 min

Independent Pharmacy Takes the Senate Stage

This week, NCPA Associate Director of Congressional Affairs Kaite Krell is joined in the studio by NCPA member Micah Lansford to discuss the July 15 Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing on the Tricare pharmacy program and how Express Scripts — the exclusive administrator of the program — appears to be pushing independent pharmacies out it and driving business to itself. Lansford is the owner of Roden-Smith Pharmacy in Clovis, N.M. , and was the only independent pharmacist to testify. Krell and Lansford detail the behind-the-scenes of preparing to testify, including working closely with the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D- Mass.), and share insights on how Tricare may evolve following a potential audit. Watch the hearing: https://www.armed-services. senate.gov/hearings/to- receive-testimony-on-the- tricare-pharmacy-program Learn more about NCPA's Tricare advocacy priorities: https://www.ncpa.co/pdf/2026/ advocacy/rx-access-one-pager. pdf

July 21, 2026Episode 8524 min

An Overview of the CMS ACCESS Program

This week, Leanne Haley-Brown, Bob Lomenick, and Michelle Farrell join host John Beckner for a discussion on the new ACCESS to Pharmacy Care program. ACCESS to Pharmacy Care is an NCPA program, powered by CPESN® with GamePlan Medical, that enables community pharmacy participation in CMS ACCESS, supporting national scale and sustainable engagement for community pharmacies. The conversation explores why the program represents a turning point for the profession and how owners can leverage their team and technology to create sustainable workflows that support patient care and boost their business. Participation in the NCPA CMS ACCESS program creates opportunities for increased revenue ($8-10 per patient per month), has no cost to participate, and demonstrates pharmacists' ability to improve patient outcomes, enhance care coordination, reduce health care costs, thereby strengthening the evidence for recognizing pharmacists as health care providers in future payment and policy decisions. For more information: https://www.accesstopharmacycare.org/ Episode guests: Leanne Haley-Brown, p rogram lead, CPESN® Pharmacy Care at Home Bob Lomenick, CEO, Tyson Drugs Inc Michelle Farrell, o wner and managing pharmacist, Boscobel Pharmacy

July 14, 2026Episode 8412 min

Inside NCPA's Residency Part 2

Host John Beckner is joined this week by NCPA 2025-2026 Executive Resident Jacqueline Estes for a discussion about her time in the residency program. Estes shares her journey to finding pharmacy as well as the ins and outs of being a resident at NCPA. Beckner and Estes discuss the connections between state and national advocacy and the ongoing need for pharmacy and public health collaborations. Estes goes on to share details of her favorite project from her residency and gives advice to potential future residents. NCPA congratulates Jacqueline Estes on a successful residency and wishes her the best as she takes the next steps in her career.

July 7, 2026Episode 8312 min

Inside NCPA's Residency Part 1

Host John Beckner is joined this week by NCPA 2025-2026 Executive Resident Charlotte Nazar for a discussion about her experience with NCPA. Nazar provides insights into the residency structure and outlines some of the highlights of her year at NCPA. Beckner and Nazar engage in a conversation on NCPA's grant work, the necessity of community health workers in today's pharmacy landscape, and Nazar's experience serving as a subject matter expert on diabetes. The conversation concludes with Nazar sharing her advice for future NCPA residents. What's next for Charlotte Nazar? She'll be joining NCPA as a full-time staff member starting July 1 as associate director of strategic initiatives.

June 23, 2026Episode 8215 min

The New Rx: Redefining the Pharmacy Tech (Part Two)

Meredy Ayers from the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding joins host John Beckner in the studio for a two-part conversation on the ever-expanding role of pharmacy technicians. In part two, Ayers outlines the biggest takeaways from her two decades in community pharmacy and how her understanding of patient care translates to association work. Beckner and Ayers engage in a discussion on compounding and the benefit it brings to patients. The episode concludes with a discussion on APC's role in the profession, and the value of advocacy.

June 16, 2026Episode 8115 min

The New Rx: Redefining the Pharmacy Tech (Part One)

Meredy Ayers from the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding joins host John Beckner in the studio for a two-part conversation on the ever-expanding role of pharmacy technicians. In part one, Ayers outlines the trajectory of her career from an advanced credential technician to her current role as events and engagement manager with APC. Beckner and Ayers dive into the value of advanced credentials, particularly immunization, for a technician and pharmacist's practice. Ayers cites collaboration between pharmacists and technicians as key to the future of the profession and details what she sees as the difference between a good versus great technician.

June 9, 2026Episode 8012 min

Keeping Competition on Main Street

This week, Main Street Competition Coalition Executive Director Chris Jones joins host John Beckner in the studio to discuss the impetus behind the new organization. Jones details MSCC's value as a nonpartisan platform that gives Main Street a vehicle to organize, advocate, and push for market fairness at every level. Beckner and Jones celebrate a successful launch, detail next steps for the organization, and outline where community pharmacy stands to benefit. For more information visit: https://www. mainstreetcompetition.com/

June 2, 2026Episode 7323 min

Vaccine Voices: Immunization in Long-Term Care

In today's episode, we continue our Vaccine Voices series. Host John Beckner takes a closer look at addressing vaccinations in the long-term care setting with guests Jeanne Manzi, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP and Deborah Milito, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP. Manzi and Milito share insights from their research in a recent white paper entitled: Immunization Insights: Bridging Gaps, Boosting Protection, and Building Trust. Thank you to Pfizer for sponsoring this episode. Read the white paper here: https://www. pfehealtheducate2.com/files/ LTCF-White-Paper.pdf

May 26, 2026Episode 7529 min

Package Deal: Medication Adherence in LTC

This week, host John Beckner sits down with Leanne Haley-Brown from CPESN®, Jenn Lewis, and Cheri Schmit from Cardinal Health to discuss the challenges of patient non-adherence, including concerns over side effects, managing multiple conditions and prescriptions, and synchronization. Part of a pharmacist's role is removing the barriers facing patients in medication adherence. This week's guests present adherence packaging as an efficient and effective way to mitigate obstacles, particularly for long-term care patients. Thank you to Dispill-USA for sponsoring this episode. Guests: Leanne Haley Brown, CPESN, Pharmacy Care at Home program lead Jenn Lewis, Cardinal Health, product manager Cheri Schmit, Cardinal Health, senior manager of product management and development