In this episode of The PUTTcast, PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney steps into the host chair alongside Vice President Lauren Young for a powerful conversation about patient access, PBM accountability, and the growing movement to take the fight directly to elected officials at the town hall level.

Key Takeaways

• How Express Scripts terminated Martella's Pharmacies from their network — across all six locations — citing credentialing issues, and why Jackie believes it was anything but routine
• Why Pennsylvania's Act 77, intended to protect pharmacies, may have had unintended consequences that accelerated network purges - and how other states have experienced the same unintended repercussions
• Our strategy for using election-season town halls to embarrass legislators into accountability — and why patient voices are the most powerful tool in the room

Special Guests:

• Jerry Shapiro RPh, PUTT Board Member, NCPA Foundation President, retired pharmacy owner
• Jackie Martella RPh & Bob McGowan Owners, Martella’s Pharmacies

Mark Your Calendar

PUTT is hosting a community town hall on June 23rd in Johnstown/Boswell, Pennsylvania to collect patient stories, document the impact of pharmacy access loss, and shine a light on what's happening in rural communities across the state. If you're in the area, come out and make your voice heard.

Resources & Links

• Find town halls near you: TownHallProject.com
• Pennsylvania pharmacy access campaign: PAMyPharmacyMyChoice.org
• Learn more about PUTT's work: TruthRx.org
• DataScan Pharmacy Software: DataScanPharmacy.com

Independent pharmacies face immense pressure from Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), often confronting the impossible choice of losing money on a prescription or turning a patient away. In this episode of The PUTTcast, host Lauren Young sits down with Kris Rhea from Pharmacy Marketplace to discuss a game-changing solution to this "pharmacy spiral." They dive deep into the world of MAC appeals and underwater claims, revealing how new software helps pharmacy owners fight back and reclaim rightfully owed revenue. Whether you’re navigating new state statutes or tracking the PBM divestiture bill in Tennessee, this episode offers actionable insights and a powerful tool to strengthen your pharmacy's financial health while fueling the momentum for nationwide PBM reform.

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Key Takeaways

• The Reality of the "Pharmacy Spiral": Understand the impossible decisions pharmacy owners face when dealing with underwater claims and how it impacts patient care.
• Automating MAC Appeals: Learn how Pharmacy Marketplace's software identifies eligible claims, generates compliant invoices, and tracks the appeal timeline from start to finish.
• State-Level PBM Reform: Discover which states are leading the charge in enforcing underwater payment statutes and how organized data empowers agencies to audit non-compliant PBMs.
• Escalating Rejections: Find out exactly what to do when a PBM rejects your appeal and how to involve your state's Department of Insurance or Attorney General.
• Advocacy in Action: Hear the latest updates on the Tennessee PBM divestiture bill and learn why independent pharmacies must actively participate to drive legislative change.

Resources

• Pharmacy Marketplace: Learn more about the MAC appeal tool and watch the demo video at pharmacymarketplace.com
• Contact Kris Rhea: Reach out directly at Kris@pharmacymarketplace.com
• Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT): Join the fight for PBM reform and access more advocacy resources at truthrx.org

In this month’s special episode of The PUTTcast, we’re gearing up for the highly anticipated PUTT Virtual Summit! Join host Lauren Young, PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney, and special guest advocates Nikki Bryant and Rosemary C Smith as they explore the critical strategies independent pharmacies can use to amplify their voices and drive meaningful change. From building political connections to fostering trust within your community, listen in as they discuss how independent pharmacy owners can take charge of their advocacy efforts and make a lasting impact.

Special Guests: Nikki Bryant, PharmD - Georgia independent pharmacy owner & Pharmacy Advocate; Rosemary C Smith, RPh - co-founder Kentucky Independent Pharmacists Alliance

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Illinois has scored a monumental win for patients and pharmacies with the passage of HB 1697. This episode dives into the legislation’s groundbreaking PBM reform and unravels how, through bipartisan effort, it amplifies transparency, protects patients and pharmacies by securing fairer practices, and puts the needs of Illinois communities first.

Join PUTTcast host Lauren Young and PUTT President Deborah Keaveny, with special guests Senator David Koehler, Representative Natalie Manley, IPhA Executive Director Garth Reynolds, and IPhA President David Bagot, as they explore the impacts of this victory and what it signals in the fight for healthcare justice.

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

In this episode of The PUTTcast, hosts Lauren Young and Monique Whitney are joined by special guest and pharmacy owner, Fair Jones, to explore key advocacy strategies for independent pharmacies striving for impactful PBM reform. They discuss how to effectively educate state and federal lawmakers, the critical role of follow-up communication, and the power of involving pharmacy patients in the process. Most importantly, they highlight how uniting independent pharmacies across states can strengthen their collective voice to push for enforceable PBM reform.

Special Guest: FairRx founder & Mississippi pharmacy owner, Fair Jones, PharmD

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

In this episode of The PUTTcast, discover how Louisiana legislators and healthcare advocates triumphed over corporate opposition to enact groundbreaking PBM reform with HB 264. Join host Lauren Young as she welcomes Louisiana State Representative Michael Echols and Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association Director of Government Affairs Matthew Cross to discuss the collaborative fight that made this victory possible, and what it means for the future of fair pharmacy practices and patient care.

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

How Independent Pharmacies Can Amplify Their Voice

At its core, PBM reform is not just a critical pharmacy issue - it’s a patient care issue. Join us for this insightful episode as we explore how independent pharmacies can use psychology, AI, and community-building strategies to craft testimony, fight misleading PBM narratives, and create a united voice for reform.

Special Guest: Ken Patel, RPh, co-founder Arizona Independent Pharmacy Coalition

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Arkansas is fighting back against the abusive, anticompetitive practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). This episode dives into the systemic lawbreaking by PBMs and their exploitation of current laws - which comes at the expense of taxpayers, pharmacies, and Arkansas communities. This isn’t just about corporate greed—it’s about the lives of Arkansas families, patients, and healthcare providers. HB 1150 represents a critical effort to hold PBMs accountable and protect access to care for communities across the state.

Special Guests:

• AR State Representative Jeremiah Moore
• AR State Senator Kim Hammer
• AR State Representative Brandon Achor
• Arkansas Pharmacists Association CEO John Vinson

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard