• Understanding the IVF journey and the evolving role of pharmacists (3:27)
• Hormones 101: LH, FSH, placental vs. pituitary HCG, and IVF medication evolution
• Progesterone types (13:00), growth hormone use (14:00), and Metformin’s role in PCOS (14:40)
• Ethical reflections: Nadia Suleman and the octuplets (17:15)
• IVF financing, state mandates, and the impact of insurance (18:20, 26:50)
• Retail vs. specialty pharmacies, including Caremark & CVS (21:48)
• Oocyte freezing updates (25:30) and what lifetime IVF allowances mean for patients
• Where to begin: IVF specialists, SART resources, and choosing a provider (29:48–31:30)
• The growing role of pharmacists in reproductive health (37:00)
• Cost-saving access: Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug initiative (42:00)
• Men’s fertility, spermatogenesis, and the need for pharmacist advocacy (43:00–44:00)
• ASRM, genetic testing, and why pharmacy must be at the IVF table (46:00)
• What Kelly wishes more people knew about IVF (59:15)
• How teams can prevent medication errors, inspired by The Right Kind of Wrong by Amy Edmondson (1:04:00)

This Week in Pharmacy – June 27, 2025 Episode Title: “Going on the Offensive to Protect Public Health” 🎙️ Sponsored by IPC (Independent Pharmacy Cooperative) & SureCost

This week’s episode of This Week in Pharmacy (TWIRx) is a call to arms: pharmacists, patients, and industry leaders are going on the offensive to defend public health from collapsing under the weight of unchecked PBMs, broken reimbursement models, and vanishing access to care.

PART ONE: Claudia Holley (@c_money636) & Joshua R. Pirestani — Fighting Back for Patients TikTok star and unapologetic patient advocate Claudia Holley, known as @c_money636, joins the show alongside Josh Pirestani, founder of Dispense Marketing and publisher of Dispense Times. TogetheRx, we’re tackling the real crisis: corporate profits are steamrolling patients and community pharmacies. With drug access tightening and treatment safety protocols falling by the wayside, the pharmacy industry is being gutted.

We break down the lost opportunity of NADAC — a fair drug pricing model with a standardized $10.49 dispensing fee — Todd Eury just talked with pharmacy owner Erich Cushey of Curtis Pharmaciesin PA, where pharmacy closures are leaving entire towns with no access to medications. This is not fiction. It’s what happens when Congress ignores the backbone of public health.

📉 Reimbursement drops

🏥 Pharmacies close

🧓 Patients suffer

💀 Access dies

PART TWO: Calvin Hunsicker, Founder of SureCost – Smarter Pharmacy Starts Here Tech visionary Calvin Hunsicker dives into SureCost at NoCost, a summer promo offering pharmacies three months of SureCost free. Why? Because it works — slashing cost of goods by 2–5% and saving valuable hours on purchasing. With $8.5B+ in transactions managed annually, Calvin shares how his time as a pharmacy owner led him to build a tech-forward platform now used by over 10,000 pharmacy pros.

PART THREE: Dr. Melissa Smith PharmD, CPH – Precision Medicine Meets Pharmacy Meet Dr. Melissa Smith, host of the upcoming PGx for Pharmacists podcast launching July 2025. A leader in precision medicine, Melissa explains how pharmacists can implement PGx to improve outcomes through genetic-guided medication decisions. Her new show will spotlight PGx integration, patient care, and how pharmacy is evolving to meet the demands of modern medicine.

Don’t miss this packed episode — because protecting public health isn’t a debate, it’s a duty. 👉 Available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music & all major platforms.

🔗 ThisWeekinPharmacy.com #TWIRx #PharmacyPodcast #PBMReform #PublicHealth #SureCost #PGx #PharmacyAdvocacy

• Innovation isn’t just about products—it’s about mindset, agility, and leadership.
• Both branded and generic companies have a role in shaping the future of accessible, high-quality care.
• Strategic foresight and collaboration will define the next era of pharmaceutical growth.

To lease or not to lease…or to purchase? When it comes to getting a new vehicle for the pharmacy, one of the most common questions we get asked from owners is “should I lease or should I purchase a vehicle?” In this episode of Master The Margin, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP and Kathy Blanchard, Senior Pharmacy Accountant break down this question and what it means for your tax strategy including: - Why leasing might limit your tax strategy - How purchasing a vehicle can unlock large write-offs - Importance of mileage logs and business-use documentation - How a separate delivery LLC could protect your pharmacy from liability Check out the full episode with bonus insights: https://masterthemargin.substack.com/ Schedule an Rx Assessment: https://www.sykes-cpa.com/rx-assessment-service/ More resources about this topic: Podcast - One Big, Beautiful Bill: What the New Tax Proposal Means for Pharmacies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99jnN08jGUo Blog – Tax-smart Depreciation on Pharmacy Buildings and Equipment: https://www.sykes-cpa.com/tax-smart-depreciation-on-pharmacy-buildings-and-equipment/

With 20 years of experience spanning top pediatric hospitals, cutting-edge research, and digital health leadership, Sharmeen brings unmatched insight into what it takes to personalize care at scale—especially for our smallest, most complex patients. From gene-guided dosing to scaling PGx programs in hospital systems, we discuss: Why a "one-size-fits-all" model doesn’t work in pediatrics How PGx can reduce the "trial-and-error" of ADHD, anxiety, and pain meds What it means to operationalize precision medicine in hospitals and clinics Her career journey—from the bedside to boardrooms and biotech The intersection of technology, pharmacy, and compassionate care Plus, don’t miss Sharmeen’s thoughts on: The future of pediatric PGx What excites her about working with organizations like CPIC, STRIPE, and PPA 👶 Whether you're a parent, pediatric provider, pharmacist, or just PGx-curious—this episode brings heart, science, and strategy together.

The field of Holistic Dentistry has fascinated me ever since I learned about the work of Dr. Weston A. Price and his research into the diets that support healthy teeth and jaw development. Join me in this fascinating conversation with a renowned expert in this field. Dr. Patel’s Green Dentistry practice focuses on the patient, first and foremost. From the spa-like comforts to high-tech, non-invasive treatments, every aspect of her practice is thoughtfully designed and focused on cosmetics, comfort, and your lifelong health. Dr. Nammy Patel is a graduate of the University of California’s School of Dentistry and a trailblazer in holistic, eco-friendly dental care. She is the founder of Green Dentistry and a passionate advocate for merging Ayurvedic principles with cutting-edge technology to promote total health and well-being. As a published author and respected leader in her field, Dr. Patel educates dentists and hygienists globally, emphasizing the powerful connection between oral health and overall vitality. Her passion extends beyond the dental chair into meaningful global and community initiatives. Dr. Patel leads a nonprofit that supports over 3,000 villages annually and works toward her mission of preventing oral cancer in one million people in India. She is actively involved with the American India Foundation and supports various humanitarian causes, believing deeply in using her platform for the greater good. Born in Dharotha, India, and immigrating to the U.S. at age five, Dr. Patel brings a global perspective to everything she does. She has built one of the most advanced, spa-like dental practices, offering patients both exceptional care and a nurturing environment. Her commitment to health, sustainability, and social impact continues to inspire change across the dental industry and beyond. Connect with Dr. Nammy via: Email: nammypatel@gmail.com Website: drnammypatel.com, GreenDentistry.com FB: Dr. Nammy Patel IG: @drnammypatel X: @DrNammyPatel Linked In: Nammy Patel

• The history and unchecked growth of PBM power in the U.S. drug supply chain
• Why market concentration among PBMs is a systemic risk to patient access and competition
• What Economic Liberties is doing to pressure regulators and lawmakers for structural reforms
• Why bipartisan PBM reform is gaining traction—and what’s at stake if we fail to act
• How pharmacists, community leaders, and patients can join the movement for transparency and equity

• Manual purchasing processes are costing pharmacies more than they realize.
• Centralized tools like SureCost drive savings, streamline decisions, and improve visibility.
• Leadership mindset—not just tools—is what separates the thriving from the stagnant.