In this episode, our guest is Sarah Arington Leach, who currently serves as VP of Strategic Commercialization at Prasco. Her primary objective is to provide pharmaceutical manufacturers with solutions that break down barriers of entry and create access for needed and innovative therapies for patients and caregivers. Prior to Prasco, she worked at OhioHealth implementing 340B and Own-Use programs. Her passion was ignited for serving patients during her time spent in both the inpatient and ambulatory pharmacy settings. She is the granddaughter of Prasco’s Founder & Chairman, E. Thomas Arington and the daughter of Christopher H. Arington, the company’s Vice-Chairman & CEO. Prasco is committed to honoring God and His greatest commandment summarized by the phrase “love God and love people”.

Sarah completed her undergraduate degrees in Economics and Spanish at Emory University and received her MBA from Xavier University.

Interview topics:

• Prasco (who we are, what we do, our culture)
  • Pharmaceutical Research Science Christian Outreach
  • Different components of the business:
    • Virtual manufacturing
    • 3D printing
• Market trends and changes and the impact to both brand and generic manufacturers
• Commercializing products
  • Launched 19 blockbuster drugs ($1B); high service level
  • 22 AGs; Flovent was discontinued
• Drug shortages
  • 40% of generic approvals don’t make it to market

Guest - Sarah Arington Leach, MBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-arington-leach-aa2666b3/

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook
• @HillBlackburn Twitter

In this episode, our guest is Patrick Alonso, a licensed pharmacist and host of the Men's Health Unscripted podcast, isn't your typical healthcare expert. He works as an advocate for men’s health similar to how a financial advisor works as an advocate for monetary gains.

Patrick was recently interviewed on WFTS ABC News for his work with Your Tampa Healthcare Advocate, where he helps men and women navigate the complex healthcare system to achieve concrete health improvements through a holistic approach. His track record of reducing medications and improving A1c levels in diabetic patients speaks volumes about his experience.

By educating and empowering his clients regarding their health, Patrick was able to provide support, and assistance and alleviate the burdens that many experience in the healthcare system when battling a metabolic disease. These 3 clients were able to begin reversing their diseases eventually reducing their medication burden to a point where it was no longer needed or significantly decreased dosages.

Topics to discuss --

For example, in 2023 Patrick took on clients with various health issues and difficulty navigating the system but 3 of those clients stand out the most. These clients had worsening diabetes, and even with lifestyle interventions, they struggled to control their blood sugar. Utilizing his training and expertise in the healthcare system, medications, and supplements, Patrick implemented his program which removed the individual stressors from the patient and allowed them to truly focus on their health.

• Why having an advocate to maximize your healthcare is equivalent to a financial planner
• The dangers of polypharmacy (excessive medications) and why it’s doubled since 2000
• The most common pitfalls the average person will fall victim to in the healthcare system

-Former College Athlete: Patrick understands the physical and mental challenges men face and has experience working with CEOs to athletes.

-Holistic Approach: Patrick helps with personalized wellness coaching, mental health help, and empowering men to take control of their health journey

-The Shocking Statistics: Patrick has extensive training in medications, disease states, drug interactions, benefits, risks, and side effects of prescriptions. Helping your listeners not enter into common prescription pitfalls.

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook
• @HillBlackburn Twitter

In this episode, our guest is James Wong, a pharmacist and founder of NiHowdy, pioneered the first platform offering customers drug rebates in Bitcoin on prescription refills. With experience in owning and operating pharmacies and skilled nursing facilities, he's a proud University of the Pacific graduate. Advocating blood donation, he highlights its potential to save lives, with each donation potentially aiding up to three individuals. Additionally, he emphasizes the personal benefits, citing a 50% reduction in cardiovascular incident risk and lowered cancer risk. Clearly passionate about Bitcoin and freedom technology, James is a staunch advocate.

Interview topics

• What the heck is Bitcoin?!
• What is NiHowdy?
  • What do we do?
  • Why is this important?
• How does Bitcoin disrupt the Pharmaceutical industry?
• Will the Inflation Reduction Act lower drug prices or backfire?

Guest - James Wong, PharmD

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdanielwong/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nihowdy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nihowdyrx/
• Website: https://www.nihowdy.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NiHowdy.

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, we have two guests:

Harini Bupathi

Harini's practice focuses on counseling several different types of pharmacy providers on their relationships with PBMs and other similar payors. She advises clients in a wide range of PBM-related matters including network access, audits, termination, wrongful recoupment actions, and fraud, waste, and abuse investigations. Harini utilizes her knowledge and experience to counsel on strategies and best practices to avoid any adverse action from payors and PBMs.

Lucas Morgan

Lucas is a skilled and assertive litigator in Frier Levitt’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Litigation groups, where he represents healthcare and life sciences professionals in a variety of complex matters. With a focus on advocating for the rights of pharmacies and other healthcare providers, Lucas handles various types of disputes involving PBMs and also regularly navigates BOP matters in various legal issues, advising and representing clients in BOP inspections, investigations, enforcement actions, and other related matters across many jurisdictions nationwide.

Interview topics

• Interplay Between BOPs and PBMs: Understand the dynamic relationship between BOPs and PBMs, and its impact on pharmacy operations.
• Treating BOP Inspections with Due Regard: Learn why BOP inspections should be approached with the same rigor as PBM audits and not be treated as routine or narrow in scope.
• Reporting Obligations: Grasp the importance of fulfilling reporting obligations to both PBMs and BOPs accurately and promptly.
• Building Amicable Relationships: Explore effective strategies to cultivate professional working relationships with your BOPs and PBMs, including tips for successful communication, credentialing and consistent reporting

LinkedIn: Frier Levitt | LinkedIn

Instagram: N/A

Website: Frier Levitt | LinkedIn

YouTube: Frier Levitt - YouTube

Twitter/X: (2) Frier Levitt (@FrierLevitt) / X (twitter.com)

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest is Lisa Blue MHI, BSN, RN. Lisa is the Chief Clinical Innovation Officer with Providertech, which offers technology

solutions to address the complexity of scaling patient engagement while improving operational efficiencies. She is an enthusiastic population health leader who believes that doing healthcare differently, and better, is possible. She is a registered nurse with clinical experience from acute

care to FQHCs, giving her the ability to effectively translate and enhance healthcare workflows. She earned her Diploma of Nursing from St Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Grand Canyon University, and her Master of Healthcare

Innovation from Arizona State University, where she also was adjunct faculty from that program.

Interview topics

1. Motivation to step into this role/company
2. Challenges and opportunities of patient engagement. How does SDOH further complicate patient engagement?
3. Most promising things emerging in healthcare IT
4. Opportunities in the healthcare system today

Guest -Lisa Blue MHI, BSN, RN

-LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-z-blue/

-Website https://www.providertech.com/

-YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL5wtK-1alzs3amrSzSIaFQ

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

@HillBlackburn Twitter

In this episode, we hear about DR. JAMES CIMA’s journey to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic started when he suffered a back injury at the age of 15 and spent years enduring back pain. When he graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of

Science, someone suggested he visit a chiropractor. The combination of being amazed by the results and his desire to be in the health field, he decided to enroll at New York Chiropractic College, graduating with honors and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. When he was in his last year of school, he saw a quote from Thomas Edison about a doctor who did not even exist. Mr. Edison stated that: “The Doctor Of The Future Will Give No Medication But Will Interest His Patients In Diet, Care Of The Human Frame, And The Cause And Prevention Of Disease.”

Dr. Cima has spent forty years of his life devoted to Mr. Edison’s definition of health and wellness, creating a health and wellness program that lives up to Mr. Edison’s vision of the doctor of the future. Over the years, he has authored many books and articles and taught, educated and trained countless doctors. He has also completed extensive postgraduate education in:

Nutrition Blood Chemistry Analysis, Exercise Physiology/Kinesiology, Neuroendocrinology, Craniopathy, Organ and Glandular Therapy, Neuromuscular Re-education, Extremity Technique, etc.

He is in the process of developing a website designed to help people worldwide improve their health through nutrition. When he’s not busy researching, writing, lecturing or helping patients, he enjoys spending time with his wife Gloria, his family, including four children and ten grandchildren.

As an avid golfer, Dr. Cima is also certified by the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI). With that training and the skills Dr. Cima states that he can improve the average golfer’s handicap by 5-10 strokes, simply by making their body more functional then creating the perfect swing

for their body type.

Dr. Cima is in practice with his son, Dr. James Paul Cima, and his daughter, Dr. Natalie DeJesse. Our 5000 square foot clinic along with ten other physicians (MD, DO, DC’s,) allows our patients to receive the best health care thru a Functional And Traditional Medical approach to health care.

Interview topics

• Using a blood test to determine what is the best diet for you and what supplements to take to improve your blood chemistry.

• How to eat more, lose weight, and never diet again.

• Let your presence command attention. How to achieve a beautiful, functional pain

free body.

• Turn stress into success. The mental emotional approach to health.

• The true cause of physical pain, and how to erase it.

• Cholesterol is the big hoax. Why heart disease is still the number 1 killer in the

US today.

What constitutes excellent health?

• What are the top three killers in our society today and how do you avoid the trap?

• How do you live to be 150 years old and enjoy the process?

Guest - James Cima

Email: drcima@cimahealth.com

Phone: 5618182972

Website: cimafunctionalmedicine.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjamescima/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCimaDC

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook
• @HillBlackburn Twitter/X

In this episode, we hear from two guests sharing how a new discount works at the pharmacy to help lower prescription prices.
Margie Hocker, Pharmacy Manager and Certified Pharmacy Technician at Kerrville Drug Co. has been at the pharmacy for almost 30 years. She started working there out of high school delivering prescriptions. When it became a requirement that pharmacy technicians had to be certified, she studied on her own and passed the certification. Margie is deeply dedicated to Kerrville Drug Co and keeping it, as well as other independent pharmacies’, doors open.

Miranda Rochol, SVP Provider Solutions at Prescryptive, leads the product strategy and sales team for Prescryptive’s mobile-first platform that empowers the healthcare consumer with the ability to take ownership of their prescription and provides AI pricing solutions for pharmacies. Rochol has worked in the healthcare and pharmacy industry for 20 years, holding leadership positions at Healthcare Data Solutions and Walgreens and serving as a board member at the American Society for Automation in Pharmacy. She received her Bachelors of Science in Health Care Administration and Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University - Wisconsin.

Interview topics:

• Prescryptive AI pricing for pharmacies provides a pricing engine driven by AI to help price prescriptions more competitively and provides real-time reports and analytics
  • This helps independent pharmacies stay in business, decreasing pharmacy deserts
• A report by NCPA found that independent pharmacies averaged a 21% gross profit margin. By contracts, pharmacies with Prescryptive’s AI pricing saw nearly 54% gross profit margin
• Discount cards have high unsustainable fees that get charged back to the pharmacy so it’s hard for pharmacies to accept those but with AI, pharmacies can offer even better discounts
• Kerrville Drug Co., a small rural pharmacy was able to keep its doors open using AI pricing

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

@HillBlackburn Twitter/X

In this episode, our guest is Colin Banas, MD, MSHA, Chief Medical Officer, DrFirst. Colin Banas is an Internal Medicine Hospitalist and the former Chief Medical Information Officer for VCU Health System in Richmond, VA prior to stepping down after 15 fulfilling years to pursue consulting. He is proud to have testified before the U.S. Senate and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) on the topic of Health IT and the Meaningful Use Program and is a former Health IT Fellow for the ONC. His interests center the role of big-data and analytics on patient outcomes and on novel forms of Clinical Decision Support, those that are outside of the realm of traditional rules and alerts, and include real-time dashboarding and intuitive usability designs. He also helped spearhead the VCU effort to participate in the Open Notes initiative, where patients have access to their clinical documentation in real time. In 2017 Dr. Banas was humbled to receive the HIMSS-AMDIS award for Physician Executive of the Year from his peers.

Pharmacy Interoperability: New Opportunities, Persistent Challenges

Topic Summary: Interoperability has been a buzzword for the healthcare industry for many years, but until now, the conversation has centered around how to get doctors and healthcare systems more accurate, complete patient health data for improved outcomes. In 30 years of e-prescribing, the pharmacy’s role – at least where interoperable data sharing is concerned - has been viewed from the narrow lens of fulfillment. Today, there are encouraging signs of change, particularly coming out of the ONC’s annual meeting in December 2023.

Pharmacy Interoperability: Persistent Challenges….

-Technical, economic, structural, and psychological issues that must be addressed

-Conflicting concerns/interests of the major players within the industry, including NACDS/NCPA, AMA, HHS, and others

-Data standards/lack of available infrastructure and networks to advance and scale interoperability with pharmacists and pharmacies

-Competition can impede pharmacy collaboration in data sharing

….New Opportunities

-Awareness is growing, more attention and focus from ONC, CMS, and others of the unique technical, economic, and business challenges pharmacies face – and acknowledgment of the critical role pharmacists play as equal members of the patient care team

-AI in pharmacy workflow and patient-facing tech solutions are connecting the provider, patient, and pharmacy like never before

-Pharmacy vendors are looking for new and innovative ways to partner within innovative data-sharing business models

Guest - Dr. Colin Banas

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook
• @HillBlackburn Twitter/X