Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast

Four pharmacy leaders. Four different journeys. In this episode, we revisit the real paths people take into pharmacy — and the impact they’re making in their communities. Matt Binder shares how he grew from single-store owner to multi-store operator with support from Cascadia Pharmacy Group. Marcus Howard talks about leaving teaching to open a pharmacy focused on inclusion in St. Louis. Lacy Epperson explains how she’s expanding clinical services in rural Missouri. And Bill Osborn offers insight into multigenerational ownership, mentorship, and what it means to serve a community. Together, these leaders show the passion and purpose behind independent pharmacy. 

00:00 - Matt Binder - Introduction   

00:36 - Matt Binder - Cascadia Pharmacy Group 

02:17 - Matt Binder - Learning the business side without an MBA   

05:10 - Marcus Howard - Introduction   

08:35 - Marcus Howard - Realizing health impacts on student success   

17:53 - Marcus Howard - Receiving $1 million to launch GreaterHealth   

18:23 - Lacy Epperson - Introduction   

19:23 - Lacy Epperson - Joining Mitchell’s through a school connection   

23:06 - Lacy Epperson - Importance of independent pharmacy in rural areas   

24:39 - Bill Osborn - Introduction   

25:01 - Bill Osborn - Pharmacy legacy and founding Osborn Drugs   

28:50 - Bill Osborn - Balancing independence and scale   

Hosted By: Mark Bivins, SVP of Sales, RedSail Technologies | Josh Howland, SVP/GM Pharmacy  

Management Systems, RedSail Technologies 

Guests Include:  

Matt Binder, Owner, Madison Park Pharmacy & Wellness Center 

Marcus Howard, Founder, GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness   

Lacy Epperson, Director of Pharmacy Clinical Services, Mitchell's Drug Stores 

Bill Osborn, President, Osborn Drugs 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com/ 

Joe Williams didn’t take the traditional route to pharmacy ownership, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. In this episode of the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast, Joe breaks down how he hustled his way into the industry and turned late nights, second jobs, and a foreclosure flip into the foundation of his multi-location pharmacy business. He walks us through the strategies and systems that helped him grow his first store 12x — without sacrificing patient care or company culture. Along the way, Joe shares the lessons he's learned about leadership and how relentless grit can turn obstacles into opportunities.  

https://www.themedsmart.com/ 

https://www.apexpharmacyconsulting.com/ 

https://ncpa.org/core-program 

01:10 – Joe’s Start in Pharmacy  

04:15 – Hustling to Buy His First Store  

10:00 – Switching to PioneerRx (and Regretting the Alternative)  

14:30 – The Power of Systems Over Micromanagement  

24:50 – Culture and Staff Development That Scales  

36:00 – Delivery with a Destiny: The Magnet Story  

43:50 – The Power of Proactive Care  

49:20 – Prescribables  

Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies  

Guest:  Joe Williams | Pharmacy Owner / Co-Founder, Apex Pharmacy Consulting  

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com   

From big dreams to big plans: Andy Maurer and Josh Howland share how RedSail Technologies is building real-world solutions that are impacting the industry. On this episode of Beyond the Scripts, Josh and Andy break down their strategy for growing RedSail’s pharmacy technology ecosystem — from PMS platforms to merchant services — and how private equity investment is driving that growth. They also tackle major industry challenges, from disrupting e-prescribing monopolies to creating new revenue opportunities for pharmacies in 2025. Tune in to learn what’s next for pharmacy technology and, more importantly, what it means for your business. 

00:00 - Introduction  

01:24 - Path to becoming CEO of RedSail Technologies  

05:59 - Discussion about private equity's role in RedSail Technologies  

08:40 - Josh on how private equity investment changed development cycles 

19:22 - Overview of pharmacy management systems under RedSail  

26:26 - The strategic importance of the PowerLine Switch  

31:16 - RxCash+ program and improving cash prescription pricing  

43:34 - Introduction of RedSail Pay for credit card processing 

Hosted By: Will Tuft | Director of Pharmacy Education & Engagement, PioneerRx 

Guest: Josh Howland | President of Pharmacy Management Solutions, RedSail Technologies 

Andy Maurer | CEO, RedSail Technologies 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com 

At just 25 years old, Josuah Tilus didn’t wait to make his mark on the industry. He bought his own pharmacy fresh out of school and has been redefining what it means to be an owner since. In this episode of Beyond the Scripts, Josuah shares his journey from pharmacy student to pharmacy owner at Chinook Pharmacy in Forks, WA. He opens up about his fast track to ownership: attending over 30 conferences in school, building a strategic network, and getting involved in professional organizations. 

Now, as a young owner in a tight-knit community, Josuah is updating operations, rolling out new software, and launching clinical services to tackle healthcare gaps in his rural community. If you’re curious about how to make big moves early in your career — or what it takes to own and innovate —, this episode is for you.  

00:00:00 - Introduction to Josuah Tilus 

00:01:25 - Josuah's timeline (graduation to pharmacy ownership) 

00:03:23 - The whirlwind process of buying the pharmacy 

00:07:34 - Educational journey and involvement 

00:15:57 - Advice for pharmacy students on balancing priorities 

00:30:50 - Moving from Florida to rural Forks, Washington 

00:46:21 - Implementing changes at the pharmacy 

00:53:11 - Future plans for clinical services  

Hosted By: Will Tuft | Director of Pharmacy Education & Engagement  

Guest: Josuah Tilus | Pharmacy Owner & Manager, Chinook Pharmacy & Variety 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com  

What if the future of healthcare was shaped by those who know it best – pharmacists? In this episode, we sit down with Theresa Tolle, Owner of Bay Street Pharmacy, to discuss how independent pharmacists are working to change the industry from the inside out. Theresa draws on her experiences as an independent owner and former APhA President to reflect on the past, present, and future of pharmacy. We dive into the latest updates in PBM legislation, opportunities for accreditations, and best strategies for administering (and billing) clinical services. We also discuss the importance of advocacy and how you can make a difference in changing the profession for the better. As Theresa explains it, change is coming; you just have to be ready. 

NCPA Legislative Action Center: https://ncpa.org/legislative-action-center?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f121272%2fRespond 

Fight PBMs Now: https://www.fightpbms.com/ 

APhA Legislative Action Center: https://actioncenter.pharmacist.com/ 

NCPA | Friends in High Places: https://www.ncpa.org/newsroom/executive-update/2025/03/07/friends-high-places-ncpa-executive-update-march-7-2025 

CDC DSMES Toolkit:  https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes-toolkit/php/reimbursement/medicare-reimbursement-guidelines.html 

00:00 - Introduction to Theresa Tolley and her background 

04:28 - Discussion on PBM reform legislation and advocacy efforts 

11:51 - Florida-specific legislative initiatives and provider status bill  

19:39 - Overview of PQA (Pharmacy Quality Alliance) and its purpose  

27:26 - Bay Street Pharmacy's combo shop model and LTC at home services  

28:40 - Diabetes education program and Medicare billing details 

40:26 - LTC at home implementation and compliance considerations 

Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies 

Guest: Theresa Tolle | Owner of Bay Street Pharmacy 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com  

What burning questions do RedSail customers have about the future of pharmacy?  In this special episode of Beyond the Scripts, we put Josh Howland in the hot seat to discuss the industry’s most pressing issues. Josh talks about the evolution of PioneerRx, RedSail’s multi-PMS strategy, and the benefits of the PowerLine switch. He also explains how RedSail plans to help pharmacies stay profitable, even amid the rise of expensive medications like GLP-1s, and his cautious approach to integrating AI into pharmacy technology. Outside of the software, Josh dives into industry-specific challenges, like transparent pricing, manufacturer voucher programs, and the cybersecurity challenges following the Change Healthcare attack. With this conversation, Josh cuts through the industry noise and offers answers to all the questions you’ve been asking. 

00:00 - Introduction and Josh's journey at PioneerRx 

06:48 - Impact of RedSail’s acquisition on PioneerRx 

17:01 - RedSail Technologies portfolio expansion  

21:34 - Integrating independent pharmacies under one technology network  

30:36 - Communication and company growth challenges  

33:36 - The PowerLine switch benefits and security  

43:27 - Fee structure changes and pricing model  

49:26 - Manufacturer voucher programs and claim issues 

01:00:02 - Development priorities and AI's future role 

Hosted By: Will Tuft | Director of Pharmacy Education & Engagement, PioneerRx 

Guest: Josh Howland | President of Pharmacy Management Solutions, RedSail Technologies 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com  

“Hayat” is the Arabic translation of “life,” and Hayat Pharmacy Founder and CEO Hashim Zaibak has made it his mission to breathe new life into independent pharmacy. In this episode of the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast, we sit down with Hashim to discuss his journey from chain supervisor to independent owner. What started as a single location in Milwaukee has grown into an empire of over 20 pharmacies — all while keeping patient care at the heart of the business. We talk all things team building, revenue opportunities, and how Hashim is empowering the next generation of pharmacy entrepreneurs. New and experienced owners: you won’t want to miss this one.  

Learn more about Hashim’s pharmacies:  

www.hayatrx.com 

www.hayatltc.com 

00:00 - Hashim Zaibak and Hayat Pharmacy 

04:44 - The Meaning Behind "Hayat" 

08:09 - From Chain Supervisor to Independent Owner 

13:38 - Evolution of Services: Home-Based Vaccinations and Injections 

21:43 – Hashim's Most Impactful Mentors 

31:19 – What's Coming to the Future of Pharmacy? 

36:05 – How to Motivate Your Staff 

46:38 – Remembering Your "Why" During Challenges 

Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies 

Guest: Hashim Zaibak | CEO of Hayat Pharmacy 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com

In this exciting new segment of our Rewind series, we're crafting a Pharmacy Survival Guide that only Catalyst can deliver. These thoughtfully designed multi-part podcasts look back at previous episodes of Catalyst and Beyond the Scripts to explore fundamental areas in pharmacy that will enhance your professional growth. Part 1 of the survival guide focuses on financial foundations & compliance, featuring valuable advice and fresh insights from our previous guests Brad Gallagher, Shahida Choudhry, and Greco De Valencia as they break down critical topics ranging from the importance of working capital in pharmacy transactions to identifying legal blind spots in regulatory compliance. 

Links to Previous Episodes 

Compliance 

Financial Foundations 

00:07 Financial Segment Begins 

07:44 Pharmacy Market Trends   

11:40 Business Adaptation Strategies   

15:37 Acquisition Evaluation  

22:41 Compliance Segment Begins

28:41 Annual Compliance Requirements   

36:38 Hiring Best Practices   

Hosted By: Mark Bivins, Chief Growth Officer at RedSail Technologies, Will Tuft | Director of Pharmacy Education & Engagement   

Guests: Brad Gallagher | Partner and Co-Leader of Health Care Controversies at Barclay Damon LLP, 

Shahida Choudhry | Owner of Palms Pharmacy, Greco De Valencia | Senior Loan Officer & Vice President at Pharmacy at Live Oak Bank 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com  

In this episode of Beyond the Scripts, Kris Rhea introduces Pharmacy Marketplace, an AI-driven platform helping independent pharmacies optimize purchasing and maintain wholesaler compliance. Independent pharmacy owner Saad Aqqad shares how implementing the system at Oak Ridge Pharmacy eliminated manual processes and protected valuable rebates, while freeing up time for patient care. Host Will Tuft explores how this technology solution is helping pharmacies work smarter and stay competitive in today's challenging healthcare landscape. 

0:00 - Introduction and guest introductions 

3:37 - Saad's journey: Opening Oak Ridge Pharmacy 

11:59 - Navigating COVID as a new pharmacy 

18:35 - Chris explains Pharmacy Marketplace 

27:07 - Benefits of technology in pharmacy operations 

38:42 - Discussing DSCSA compliance and supplier relationships 

46:38 - Future plans for Oak Ridge Pharmacy 

51:56 - Final thoughts on community pharmacy and relationships 

Hosted By: Will Tuft | Director of Pharmacy Education & Engagement  

Guest:  Kris Rhea | Director of Business Development, Pharmacy Marketplace 

Saad Aqqad | Owner and Founder, Oak Ridge Pharmacy 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com  

Meet Matt Binder, the 2024 WSPA Distinguished Young Pharmacist. Making his home in Seattle, he has built a three-store pharmacy network while maintaining the personal touch that makes independent pharmacies special.  

On this episode of the Beyond the Scripts Podcast, join him and host Will Tuft as they share modern insights on team building, profit-sharing strategies, and the power of student engagement. Learn how his partnership with the Cascadia Pharmacy Group enables innovation while preserving the essential role of community pharmacy. From natural products to healthcare advocacy, Matt's story showcases the evolving face of independent pharmacy. 

0:00 - Introduction & Background 

5:18 - Building a Three-Store Operation 

15:12 - Student Engagement & Team Building 

25:03 - Natural Products & Business Model 

38:42 - Managing Multiple Locations 

45:16 - Advocacy & Industry Changes 

52:35 - Future of Independent Pharmacy 

Hosted By: Will Tuft | Director of Pharmacy Education & Engagement  

Guest: Matt Binder | Owner, Madison Park Pharmacy & Wellness Center 

Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visitwww.pioneerrx.com