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

NCPA President Kristen Riddle joins host Sam Manas at the halfway point of her presidency to reflect on a whirlwind year. She shares highlights from Capitol Hill meetings and visits to member pharmacies across the country, celebrates the landmark PBM reform signed into law this year, and offers a glimpse into how she balances it all with running her own pharmacy in Arkansas. Plus, a preview of what's to come in the rest of her term.

NCPA Past President and PAC Chairman Steve Giroux joins host John Beckner in the studio during NCPA's 2026 fly-in for a conversation about political advocacy. They discuss the impact NCPA's PAC has in combination with our grassroots advocacy efforts. Giroux outlines how contributing to the PAC can enhance your relationships with your elected officials and increase their engagement with issues that matter to community pharmacists.

To learn more about the PAC, click here.

Host Brooklyn Morgan sits down with Tennessee Pharmacists Association CEO Anthony Pudlo to discuss the landmark FAIR Rx Act (SB2040/HB1959). They discuss the impact the FAIR Rx Act will have on independent pharmacies by unmasking the middleman and the multi-million-dollar campaign CVS undertook to try and undermine the bill's passing. Pudlo detailed how NCPA's State Panel of Experts enhanced the Tennessee Pharmacists Association's work on this bill and provided advice for other states looking to pass similar legislation.

Since recording this episode, the FAIR Rx Act has passed both the Tennessee House and Senate and awaits Governor Bill Lee's signature.

To connect with NCPA's State Panel of Experts, click here.

NCPA President Kristen Riddle sits down with host Sam Manas to reflect on this year's Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In. Riddle shares the excitement she felt walking into her representatives' offices off the back of the recent PBM reform and puts out a call to action for pharmacists who were unable to attend this year's fly-in.

Mark your calendar! Next year's fly-in is April 7-8, 2027.

Tana Kaefer, PharmD, joins host John Beckner for a discussion exploring the intersection of menopause, mental health, and hormone therapy. This week's conversation focuses on how evolving evidence has reshaped our understanding since the landmark Women's Health Initiative began.

Kaefer highlights the pharmacist's role in identifying symptoms, guiding patients, and supporting safe, individualized care for those experiencing menopause.

Thank you to Cardinal Health Foundation for sponsoring this episode of Independent Rx Forum.

NCPA President Kristen Riddle sits down with host Sam Manas for a pre-NCPA Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In check-in. They discuss what it's like for a pharmacist to go to Capitol Hill, what attendees can look forward to, and how to make the most of your time in Washington, D.C.

This week's guest, Julie Bromberg, is an independent public health researcher with an MA in heath communications and 15 years of experience with the CDC and NIH. She joins host John Becker to discuss the sustainability of pharmacy-based diabetes self-management education programming. Bromberg shares details of her research, including the needs and challenges of providing DSME, and offers actionable solutions for independent pharmacies to increase their programming reach and productivity.

Are you interested in offering DSME services? Consider NCPA's Diabetes Accreditation Boot Camp!

Host John Beckner sits down in the studio with NCPA Director of Congressional Affairs David Weissman for part two of our Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In priorities series. Weissman gives an overview of the schedule and what to expect when attending your meetings on Capitol Hill. Additionally, they discuss our legislative priorities including the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, RX ACCESS Act, and Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act.

One week out from NCPA's Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, host John Beckner sits down in the studio with NCPA Director of Congressional Affairs Kaite Krell to discuss this year's policy priorities. Krell provides insights on the ins and outs of the advocacy team's fly-in preparation and shares details on three of our five policy priorities: thanking Congress for PBM reform, Medicaid managed care reform, and the reintroduction of Patients Before Monopolies.

Only a few spots remain. To register for fly-in, click here.

Part two of NCPA's fly-in policy priorities will be out on Thursday, April 9.