The Bottom Line Pharmacy Podcast: Sykes & Company, P.A.

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Support Didi’s Campaign: https://www.didiforcongress.com/

What does it take for a pharmacist to go from opening a compounding pharmacy to running for U.S. Congress? Turns out, it takes a lot.

In this episode, Austin and Scotty sit down with Dr. Ndidiamaka Okpareke, PharmD, Owner of Olive Tree Compounding, and U.S. Congressional Candidate for NM CD1 to find out.

We talk about: 

- Didi’s path to pharmacy ownership 
- Top advocacy issues facing compounding pharmacies
- Over-regulation of 503A compounding pharmacies and the peptide debate 
- Campaign updates
And more!

Stay connected with Dr. Ndidiamaka Okpareke:

Didi’s website: https://www.didiforcongress.com/
Didi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/didiforcongress/
Didi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DidiForCongress/
Didi’s Twitter (X): https://x.com/DidiForCongress
Olive Tree Compounding: https://www.olivetreecompounding.com/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sykesandco
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OllinSykes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sykes-&-company-p-a-?trk=tyah
Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottysykes/
Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScottySykesCPA

More resources on this topic: 

Podcast – Inside the Fight for Compounding with Scott Brunner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5X4cfI9gY4&list=PLbdUM3PBAwLvuE95Acu1EbvpV_PUBqVfo&index=17 

Podcast – And Out Came the PBM Reform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-dK5NBK4K8&list=PLbdUM3PBAwLvuE95Acu1EbvpV_PUBqVfo&index=7 

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What's the difference between marketing and advertising and why does it matter for your pharmacy? 

In this episode of the Bottom Line Pharmacy Podcast, Austin Murray sits down with Bruce Kneeland, longtime independent pharmacy advocate and host of the Pharmacy Crossroads podcast, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to grow an independent pharmacy in today's competitive landscape.

Bruce shares his fascinating journey from a chance job posting at BYU that landed him in Fargo, North Dakota, to senior roles at Health Mart, AmerisourceBergen, and eventually becoming a consultant and road-tripper who has visited pharmacies coast to coast.

In this episode, Bruce and Austin cover:

• Marketing vs. advertising and why confusing the two is costing pharmacies patients
• The word-of-mouth myth and why relying on it alone is "killing you slowly"
• Messaging that connects how to talk about complex services like compounding in language patients actually understand
• The B2B opportunity and why your real customer for compounding and specialty services might be the prescriber, not the patient
• And more!

Stay connected with Bruce Kneeland and his work:

Pharmacy Crossroads Podcast | Bruce Kneeland LinkedIn | Dispense Times

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More resources on this topic:

Podcast - Marketing for Independent Pharmacies with Gabe Trahan

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AI is rapidly becoming part of the pharmacy workflow but when it comes to compliance, accuracy, and patient safety, there’s far more to consider than just efficiency gains.

In this episode of The Bottom Line Pharmacy Podcast, Austin Murray sits down with Josh Potter, Director of Compliance at PRS Pharmacy Services, to break down how AI is actually being used in pharmacy today.

They cover:

• Common use cases including workflow automation, patient engagement, inventory management, and pricing optimization
• The critical importance of HIPAA compliance, business associate agreements, and protecting patient PHI when using AI tools
• State-level considerations, including emerging regulations around AI-generated healthcare content

And more!

Stay connected with PRS Pharmacy Services:

PRS Website | PRS Facebook | PRS Instagram | PRS LinkedIn | PRS Twitter | PRS YouTube

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More resources on this topic:

Podcast - AI, Audits, & Advocacy: The Pharmacy Survival Guide

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MFP is officially here and for many pharmacies, the biggest challenge isn’t the pricing, it’s understanding how the money actually flows and making sure you’re getting paid correctly.

In this episode of The Bottom Line Pharmacy Podcast, Austin Murray sits down with Katheryne Richardson, Chief Strategy Officer at Second Sight Solutions (Beacon Channel Management) to break down the mechanics of Maximum Fair Price (MFP), how reconciliation works, and what pharmacies need to be watching closely in this evolving reimbursement landscape.

They cover:

• What MFP is and why it’s impacting pharmacies for the first time in 2026
• How the Beacon platform provides visibility into the MFP rebate lifecycle
• Common misconceptions around payment timing and reconciliation
• The critical differences between MFP rebates and 340B claims
• Practical tips for resolving payment discrepancies and staying proactive

And more!

More About Beacon Channel Management:

Beacon Channel Management is and innovative technology that reimagines how drug discount data is exchanged, establishing new connections and improving transparency for drug manufacturers and 65,000 of their customers.

Stay connected with Beacon Channel Management:

Beacon Website

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Twitter

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Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP Twitter

 
More resources on this topic:

Beacon Rebate Model: https://cm.beaconchannelmanagement.com/

Podcast - MDPNP's Impact on 340B: https://youtu.be/rJWNA7hHThY

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Is NCPA really worth it for independent pharmacy owners? What's the real world ROI of being apart of NCPA? 

In this episode, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP, Bonnie Bond, CPA, MBA, and Austin Murray sit down with Mark Ey, COO of NCPA and Hashim Zaibak, PharmD, CEO of Hayat Pharmacy to break down what NCPA actually does for independent community pharmacies and why so many owners miss the real value hiding in plain sight.

We cover:

• Why NCPA advocacy matters (and how it amplifies the patient voice in Washington)
• Ownership Workshop and other owner resources
• The biggest business lesson many owners learn too late: profit ≠ cash flow
• Why LTC is a major opportunity for the next 5–10 years
• Student and young pharmacist pathways (school visits, internships, and building the next generation)

And more!

More About NCPA:

Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing over 18,900 pharmacies that employ more than 235,000 individuals nationwide.

They are rooted in the communities where they are located and are America’s most accessible health care providers.

Likewise, they are community leaders actively involved in community-oriented public health, civic, and volunteer projects. Many hold local elected offices; others serve as state legislators.

Stay connected with NCPA:

NCPA Website

NCPA LinkedIn

NCPA Instagram

NCPA Facebook

NCPA Twitter (X)

NCPA YouTube

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More resources on this topic:

NCPA Membership portal

Podcast - Pharmacy Leadership Amplified with Dr. Hashim Zaibak, PharmD

Podcast - From Zero to Community Pharmacy Hero Featuring Hashim Zaibak, PharmD

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Infusion is booming and it’s not just because of an aging population. As technology unlocks new gene therapies, autoimmune treatments, and ultra-rare specialty drugs, infusion pharmacies are being pushed to scale faster, operate tighter, and deliver a better patient experience than ever.

In this episode of The Bottom Line Pharmacy Podcast, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP® and Austin Murray sit down with Jordan VanName, RN, Owner of FusionIQ Nursing to talk about what separates a high-performing infusion operation from one that gets stuck in bottlenecks, delays, and compliance headaches.

We cover:

• Why infusion growth is accelerating and what’s driving demand
• One of the biggest operational bottleneck in Infusion pharmacies
• Why “a prescription is not an order” and what that means for compliance
• What “top notch care” really looks like from first referral to post-infusion follow-up

And more!

More About Our Guest:

Jordan VanName is a seasoned healthcare leader and clinical expert with nearly two decades of experience on the frontlines of patient care and specialized medical operations. As the founder of FusionIQ Nursing Solutions, Jordan leverages her extensive background to bridge the gaps
between clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Jordan’s career began in 2007 at UNC Chapel Hill, where she developed a foundation in complex healthcare environments. After graduating from Alamance Community College and later South University, she began her nursing practice in 2011 at the prestigious North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center.

The inspiration for FusionIQ Nursing Solutions came from Jordan’s firsthand observation of a fragmented industry. Following her career into specialty pharmacy nursing agencies, she identified a critical void: many organizations lacked the cohesive clinical and operational leadership necessary to keep pace with the rapid growth of specialty pharmaceuticals.
Driven by a mission to eliminate operational inefficiencies and improve data utilization, Jordan founded FusionIQ. Today, she consults for healthcare agencies, pharmacies, and manufacturers, helping them navigate the complexities of modern medicine through innovation and high-standard clinical leadership.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jordan is a dedicated wife and a mother to three children under the age of ten. She finds balance and rejuvenation through her love for the outdoors, often spending her free time gardening or enjoying the beach with her family

Stay connected with Jordan and FusionIQ Nursing:

Jordan's LinkedIn

FusionIQ Nursing Website

FusionIQ Nursing LinkedIn

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Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP Twitter

More resources on this topic:

Podcast - Driving Independent Pharmacy Profitability in 2026

Podcast – Opening an Infusion Pharmacy

Podcast – KPIs for the Rapid Growth Pharmacy

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With cybercriminal activity accelerating and AI making scams more sophisticated by the day, one of the greatest threats facing pharmacies is through social engineering. Not by hacking systems, but by manipulating people.

In this episode, Austin Murray and Scotty Sykes are joined by Chris Sykes, IT Director at Sykes & Company, to break down what social engineering really is, why pharmacies are prime targets, and how these attacks are evolving through email, phone calls, text messages, and even deep-fake technology.

We cover:

• What social engineering is and how pharmacies are being targeted today
• Common pharmacy-specific scams, including fake refill notices, insurance requests, and ACH change attempts
• How AI and deep-fake voices are raising the stakes
• Practical steps pharmacies can take to slow down, verify requests, and protect PHI

And more!

More About Our Guest:

Chris Sykes is the Director of IT at Sykes & Company, P.A., where he has been a key part of the team since 2006.

With nearly 25 years in the IT industry, Chris combines deep technical expertise with a passion for helping both the firm and its clients become more efficient, secure, and technology-driven.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems and a Master of Science in Technology Systems, both from East Carolina University.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys running marathons, fishing and hunting with his boys, and spending quality time with his family at the beach.

Learn more about Chris Sykes:

Chris Sykes LinkedIn

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Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP LinkedIn

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP Twitter

More resources on this topic:

Podcast - AI, Audits, & Advocacy: The Pharmacy Survival Guide with Trenton Theide

Podcast - Navigating Cybersecurity, NIST and HIPAA

Blog - Technology, Security and Your Pharmacy

Blog - Protect You and Your Pharmacy: The Growing Threat of Ransomware

Blog - Backing Up Your Business Data

Blog - Spot a Hacked Email or Bad Website

Blog - Protect Your Pharmacy Data from Hackers

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Rapid growth is exciting but without the right metrics, culture, and plan, it can quietly put your pharmacy at risk.

In this episode, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP®, Bonnie Bond, CPA, MBA, and Austin Murray sit down with Jim Hrncir, R. Ph. FACP, Owner of Las Colinas Compounding Pharmacy and Wellness Center veteran compounding pharmacist and owner, to unpack what it really takes to run a sustainable compounding pharmacy through industry cycles, GLP-1 volatility, and ownership transitions.

We cover:

• The KPIs Jim actually tracks to manage a complex compounding operation
• Why cash position may be the most overlooked metric in pharmacy
• How GLP-1s changed the business—and why diversification still matters
• Internal succession vs. private equity: the real tradeoffs

And more!

More About Our Guest:

Jim Hrncir RPh and wife Jan founded Las Colinas Pharmacy, Compounding & Wellness in 1984. Recognized as one of the pioneers of modern pharmaceutical compounding, Jim’s 1986 creation of Estradiol Transdermal Gel was the first of its kind in the United States. He is responsible for the formulation of many Bio-Identical Hormone, Dermatological, Nutritional, and Anti-Aging compounds in wide use throughout the United States. Jim was named the 2017 Compounding Pharmacist of the Year by Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) and is a Fellow of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding (FAPC). NCPA’s magazine America’s Pharmacist featured Jim and Las Colinas Pharmacy as the cover story for December 2018.

Jim has received extensive continuing education in the areas of Bio-Identical Hormones, Nutrition, Anti-Aging Medicine, Weight Management, Pain Management, Neurotransmitter Management, Natural and Functional Medicine including the use of botanical medicines, nutritional supplements, Detoxification and Purification, homeopathy and lab testing. He has lectured across the country on a variety of topics including Clinical Patient Consulting, BHRT Assessment and Case Management, Low Dose Naltrexone, Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Protocols, and Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression and PTSD.

Jim is a member of Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA), American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Age Management Medical Group, Texas Pharmaceutical Association, Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, and the National Association of Community Pharmacists.

Stay connected with Jim and Las Colinas Pharmacy:

Jim's LinkedIn

Las Colinas Pharmacy Website

Las Colinas Pharmacy Facebook

Las Colinas Pharmacy TikTok

Las Colinas Pharmacy Instagram

Las Colinas Pharmacy LinkedIn

Stay connected with us:

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More resources on this topic:

Podcast - Driving Independent Pharmacy Profitability in 2026

Podcast – The Startup Compounding Pharmacy Playbook

Podcast – Inside the Fight for Compounding: Advocacy, Growth, and Regulation

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With TrumpRx officially live, the first major PBM reform in decades signed into law, and the FTC squeezing historic concessions out of Cigna/Express Scripts…Did independent pharmacy just have its “Super Bowl week?”

In this bonus episode, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP®, Bonnie Bond, CPA, MBA, and Austin Murray break down what these rapid-fire developments actually mean for pharmacy owners.

We cover:

• MFP Updates
• TrumpRx going live
• FTC + Cigna/Express Scripts settlement
• What new CMS transparency could mean for pharmacy reimbursement
• And more!

Stay connected with us on social media:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP® LinkedIn

More on this topic:

Podcast: Business As Usual...Until It Isn't: MDPNP's Impact on 340B

Podcast: Driving Independent Pharmacy Profitability in 2026

Podcast - Maximizing Med Sync

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With Medicare’s Maximum Fair Price (MFP) rebates officially underway and the 340B rebate mechanism on hold, pharmacy owners are left navigating one of the grayest areas the industry has seen in years.

In this episode, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP®, Bonnie Bond, CPA, MBA, and Austin Murray sit down with Julie Crozier, CEO at  @secure340b to unpack how MDPNP is colliding with 340B and what pharmacies should be paying attention to right now.

We cover:

• How MDPNP and MFP rebates are flowing today
• The duplicate discount problem no one is reconciling
• Beacon’s role and why future reconciliation risk matters
• Dispensing fee pressure, CE relationships, and contract implications
• Practical considerations if TPAs or covered entities push for carve-outs

And more!

More About Our Guest:

As CEO of Secure340B, Julie is responsible for formulating and executing strategic plans and technology to deliver critical and timely intel to 340B stakeholders.

Julie has over 25 years of pharmacy experience including co-founding, growing and leading a pharmacy software company, Macro Helix, which was acquired by McKesson Corp (NYSE: MCK) in 2012.

Julie also has experience in retail pharmacy, long-term care, state Medicaid programs and healthcare revenue cycle. She holds a Bachelor’s in Pharmacy and a Master’s in Pharmacy Administration from The University of Texas at Austin.

Julie serves on the board at Crossroads Community Services, a food pantry, and lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and 2 daughters.

Stay connected with Julie and Secure340B:

Julie Crozier LinkedIn

Secure340B Website

Secure340B Facebook

Secure340B LinkedIn

Secure340B Instagram

Stay connected with us:

Facebook

YouTube 

LinkedIn

Instagram

More resources on this topic:

Podcast - Driving Independent Pharmacy Profitability in 2026

Podcast – The Startup Compounding Pharmacy Playbook

Podcast – Inside the Fight for Compounding: Advocacy, Growth, and Regulation