20Ways SPRING Retail 2024

IMPROVING PATIENT CARE & PHARMACY

20 Unique Products & Services

Compounding Resources

Industry Expert Q&A, Market Leaders Buyer’s Guide, and More pg. 50

The Unique Charm and Timeless Journey of Green Line Apothecary

Christina Procaccianti, PharmD Founder, CEO, and Director of Pharmacy, Green Line Apothecary

Pharmacy500

Presenting 500 of the Most Impactful Pharmacy Supply Chain Companies and Associations pg. 77

Revolutionizing

Long-Term Care

Navigating the Next Five Years of Transformation pg. 58

4 Case Studies

The Compliance Team, SureCost, and Noritsu Pharmacy Automation

“They treated us like we were their only clients, even though we knew we weren’t.”

– Thomas & Ruth, Albuquerque, NM

Our Team

Bo Garmon Loan Officer

(479) 856-3001

bgarmon@ffb1.com

Bobby Glaze, PharmD Loan Officer

(870) 315-0301 bglaze@ffb1.com

Schwanda Flowers, PharmD Managing Director

(501) 672-5040

sflowers@ffb1.com

When you partner with First Financial Bank, we’ll get to know you and your business inside and out. Whether you’re starting your first pharmacy or growing your business, we have the first-hand industry expertise to create a wide range of financial products tailored specifically to your business. Because, not all pharmacies are the same, and you should have a bank who knows your business. First Financial Bank – In the business of YOU.

Pharmacy Financing Experience Matters

Acquisition & Real Estate

Equipment financing

Expansion & remodeling

Business refinancing

Start-up loans

Preferred Lending Partner of the SBA*

PharmD, current and former owners on our team

Nearly a century of investing in small business

Contents

Pharmacy is Complicated, Your Software Shouldn’t Be

Liberty Software’s pharmacy management solution helps community retail pharmacies enhance customer service, improve profitability, and increase patient safety.

page 15

D2 Solutions — Reimagine Regulatory and Compliance Management

D2’s team of healthcare leaders and pharmacists have designed novel technologies and experience-based consulting solutions that enable pharmacies to increase efficiency, minimize risk, and drive access.

page 17

GX Solutions From Helmer Engineered for a 10-Year Service Life

GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers have undergone Accelerated Life Testing to ensure they meet the quality and reliability requirements to perform in the busy pharmacy environment.

page 19

As

EZ Grid™ From Health Care Logistics® Puts an End to Misaligned Blisters and Labels

Built-in locator pins ensure precise label-to-blister alignment every time you repackage tablets or batch process prescriptions.

page 33

Crafting Success

Crafting Success, and Made-toOrder Sodas

The unique charm and timeless journey of Green Line Apothecary.

Case Study: PharMerica’s Journey Towards Patient-Centric Care Through Best-InClass Inventory Automation From SureCost

Medi-Dose, Inc./ EPS, Inc. Your Community Pharmacy Supply Experts

For over 50 years, Medi-Dose/ EPS has been working with pharmacists to design and support cost-effective products, solving the specific needs of their pharmacies.

page 45

Return Solutions Offers Faster Credit, Easier Tracking, and Efficient Processing

Reduce time spent tracking credits and get credit quickly with Return Solutions’

OneCheck Select program — the fastest Rx return credit reimbursement in the industry. page 34-35

page 37

Precision Cooling, Certified Confidence With American BioTech Supply

The NSF/ANSI 456 Standard for Vaccine Cold Storage ensures that certified units protect pharmaceuticals at optimal temperatures, prioritizing patient safety, preventing waste, lowering energy costs, and allowing for peak delivery of vaccines.

page 39

Zebra Technologies Environmental Sensors Bring Visibility and Cold Chain Confidence to Environmentally Sensitive Products

Zebra sensors provide insights into products, such as biologics and pharmaceuticals when temperature limits have been exceeded during transit, storage, and utilization.

page 47

McKesson’s Assist Line Offers Automation

Tailored to Retail Pharmacies

McKesson Pharmacy

Automation is leading the way in automating how patients get their medication, enabling faster and safer treatment.

page 49

I nfinite Control When Every Degree Counts

INTRODUCING THE NEW INFINITY SERIES ™ WITH PRECISE, PATENTED TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Variable Speed Temperature Control

Patented infinite speed control technology delivers only the precise amount of refrigeration needed to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing performance.

Durable Design

Our cold storage solutions deliver uncompromising performance and lasting peace of mind over years and years of continuous use.

Flexible Storage

Interior cabinet space can be configured to your exact needs.

Is your returns company providing you the best compliance protec� on for your pharmacy business? If your answer is “I think so” then maybe you need to be talking with PharmaLink.

Our returns prac�ces and compliance audit records for our clients are exemplary and provide you with the assurance you need that your returns are being processed accurately and transparently. PharmaLink offers a full scope of returns management services and we’ll always work to make sure you receive maximum credit value for your returned product.

Call PharmaLink today at (800) 257-3527 and trust

returns compliance to the industry’s leader in reverse distribu�on services.

The

Most Innovative Tamper-Evident Seals Throughout the Pharmacy Market

• Sterile and Paper Free (USP 797 Compliant).

• Maintains a 100% sterile barrier* with 3X greater adhesion.

*Tested in Nelson Labs, Salt Lake City, UT

• Helps prevent contamination of drugs and provides added protection to pharmacists.

• Will not fall off, even in cold storage conditions (down to -20 degrees centigrade).

• Patented dual-layer indicates true tamperevidence, with “OPENED” marking.

Syringe Seals

IV

Industry expert Q&A, compounding resources market leaders buyer’s guide, and more.

Cardinal Health™ Medical Benefit Billing

Bill and

Eyecon® — The Most Advanced Technology in Counter-Top Prescription Dispensing Automation

The Eyecon, with visual precision counting, eliminates the burden of prescription filling with a 99.99% count accuracy. page 57

Revolutionizing Long-Term Care:

Navigating the Next Five Years of Transformation

Contributed by Chief Executive, Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, of The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).

Trade Show & Meeting Calendar

Innova’s

Innovations for Global Benefit

At Innova Medical Group, we are powered by our vision to be a global health outcome innovator that provides local solutions to global problems.

page 69

Dexcom G7 is the Most Accurate, Simple, and Most Affordable CGM, Leading to Lasting Adherence for Patients

As the most covered CGM brand, Dexcom offers affordable care without compromising quality for the broadest audience of people with diabetes.

page 71

Case Study: How Technology and Visual Verification Helped Transform Medicine

INDICATIONS1

Treatment of Hypoprothrombinemia Due to Vitamin K Deficiency or Interference: Phytonadione injectable emulsion is indicated for the treatment of the following coagulation disorders which are due to faulty formation of factors II, VII, IX and X when caused by vitamin K deficiency or interference with vitamin K activity:

· anticoagulant-induced hypoprothrombinemia caused by coumarin or indanedione derivatives;

· hypoprothrombinemia due to antibacterial therapy;

· hypoprothrombinemia secondary to factors limiting absorption or synthesis of vitamin K, e.g., obstructive jaundice, biliary fistula, sprue, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, intestinal resection, cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, and regional enteritis;

· other drug-induced hypoprothrombinemia where it is definitely shown that the result is due to interference with vitamin K metabolism, e.g., salicylates.

Prophylaxis and Treatment of Vitamin K-Deficiency Bleeding in Neonates: Phytonadione injectable emulsion is indicated for prophylaxis and treatment of vitamin K deficiency bleeding in neonates.

BOXED WARNING1

WARNING - HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS WITH INTRAVENOUS AND INTRAMUSCULAR USE: Fatal hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred during and immediately after intravenous and intramuscular injection of phytonadione injectable emulsion. Reactions have occurred despite dilution to avoid rapid intravenous infusion and upon first dose. Avoid the intravenous and intramuscular routes of administration unless the subcutaneous route is not feasible and the serious risk is justified.

Please see www.ciplausa.com for full prescribing information and Important Safety Information.

Contents

Introducing the Pharmacy500 of 2024

500 of the most impactful pharmacy supply chain companies and associations in the U.S.

Color Coded Sun and Reading

Glasses Program by Franklin Eyewear®

Reading glasses price tags are color coded by strength and sunglasses price tags by category. This makes it easy to keep your displays organized and makes re-ordering simple!

page 77-81

LTC@H Pharmacy Network is the Resource for Long-Term Care at Home Practice

Whether you are looking for patient identification tools, billing procedures, compliance documentation, or valuable insights into best practices and marketing support, LTC@Home is here to provide support.

Specialty Pharmacy Outlook 2024

Contributed by President and CEO, Sheila M. Arquette, RPh, of the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.

PUBLISHER

RXinsider, LTD

RXinsider CEO

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

Design & Layout

Multimedia

Marketing and Operations

SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Gregory Cianfarani, RPh

Lora Bourque

Eric Simmons

Samantha Roy

Alexa DiLuca

Kristin Fennessey

Chris Kolkhorst, EVP chris.kolkhorst@rxinsider.com

Mike Rahme mike.rahme@rxinsider.com

Shaun Russell shaun.russell@rxinsider.com

Savannah DaSilva savannah.dasilva@rxinsider.com

Jeff Rackliff jeff.rackliff@rxinsider.com

Email sales@rxinsider.com

Toll-Free Phone 800.972.2083

Fax 646.329.9766

Website www.RXinsider.com

page 87

EzriRx Connects 30+

NABP-Accredited Wholesalers With 1,000’s of Pharmacies in the US

EzriRx is a technology-friendly and advanced marketplace that makes it incredibly easy for pharmacies to shop and save on brands, generics, OTC, HBA, pet meds, and more on a single easy-to-use platform.

Case Study: How Smith Pharmacy Finds Better Purchasing Options and Passes the Savings Along to Patients From SureCost

20Ways is an official publication of RXinsider

Warwick, RI 02893. Notification of address change must be made six weeks in advance, including old and new address with zip code.

Editorial – views expressed in articles or profiles in the 20Ways are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies and opinions of RXinsider, our editorial board(s), our advisory board(s), or staff. Advertising – products, services, and educational institutions advertised in 20Ways do not imply endorsement by RXinsider.

Copyright © 2024 RXinsider LTD. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

GENERAL SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES

RXinsider LTD

c/o 20Ways

1300 Division Road, Suite 103 West Warwick, RI 02893

20Ways Online: www.RXinsider.com/20Ways

General Information: 20Ways@RXinsider.com

Circulation: See page 5

Founded: 1987

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 480-9603

Phone: (817) 488-4612

Fax: (817) 488-2861

Pharmacy is Complicated, Your Software Shouldn’t Be

Liberty Software’s pharmacy management solution helps community retail pharmacies enhance customer service, improve profitability, and increase patient safety.

Address: 3205 E. Southlake Boulevard Southlake, TX 76092

Website: www.libertysoftware.com

Company Background

For over 20 years, Liberty Software has been a dedicated and reliable partner to community pharmacies across the United States. Our roots as an independent computer service company have shaped our commitment to providing essential services to community pharmacies, a commitment we’ve never forgotten. Today, we offer software and services empowering pharmacies to overcome their challenges. Our flagship platform, RXQ, is not just a tool: it’s a partner to pharmacists across America, making their jobs easier and enabling them to serve their patients better.

At Liberty Software, we don’t just work hard to ensure customer satisfaction; we strive to make our customers feel like part of our family. Our team, experienced in pharmacy and technology, is knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable, always ready to help.

Product Overview

What sets us apart? It’s not just our cutting-edge technology, or comprehensive array of features, it’s our commitment to an unparalleled user experience and robust security measures. Prescriptions are filled swiftly and accurately, with many pharmacists attesting to RXQ’s simplicity as the easiest system they’ve ever used. We protect your patients’ data with the highest level of encryption, ensuring their privacy and peace of mind.

Consider This

How long does it typically take to train new employees on your current pharmacy software? Our clients utilizing Liberty have discovered that new hires can often start filling prescriptions immediately, requiring minimal to no training. Transitioning to the RXQ platform is seamless, with our team providing comprehensive support and training. It’s that straightforward. A well-crafted pharmacy system should enhance both productivity and employee satisfaction. And when assistance is needed, support is just a phone call or mouse click away.

Testimonials

“Liberty is a very good software, It’s easy to operate. Previously we were using a different software and I did see a drastic difference with our reports, especially, it’s very easy for us to do proper billing in that way.”

— Syed H., Lead Technician, Campbell Pharmacy

“It’s like one click, one tap away, to get to a feature. Of all the different pharmacy software’s I’ve worked with. I felt like it’s the cleanest user interface.”

— Jake L., Technician, ReNue Rx Pharmacy

“The system is user-friendly and because every pharmacy is different, they will customize it to your needs.”

— Judy H., PharmD, All-Care Pharmacy

“My favorite part of the software is the DIR feature and being able to take a look at that. We can compare our distributor rebate versus what kind of DIR Fee we’re paying on it. So that’s helped us save money.”

— Jett J., PharmD, The Medicine Shoppe

Contact Us

Have a question? Let us know at sales@libertysoftware.com.

Founder & CEO: Dean Erhardt

Founded: 2008

Phone: (636) 537-7805

D2 Solutions — Reimagine Regulatory and Compliance Management

Reducing the operational burden is possible. D2’s team of healthcare leaders and pharmacists have designed novel technologies and experience-based consulting solutions that enable pharmacies to increase efficiency, minimize risk, and drive access.

Address: 400 Chesterfield Center, Suite 400 Chesterfield, MO 63017

Website: www.d2rx.com

Company Background

Since 2008, D2 Solutions has helped pharmacies across the industry reimagine their processes and reduce the operational burden, arming them with a groundbreaking combination of expert consulting and strategic SaaS solutions. From financial, licensing, regulatory, and accreditation pressures to managing the hassles of payer contracting and declining patient engagement, navigating every detail can be overwhelming. As a team of healthcare leaders and former pharmacists, D2 strives to leverage our over 1,000 years of combined industry experience towards changing the narrative and developing solutions that truly enhance operational efficiency, minimize exposure to regulatory risk, and drive patient access.

Having collaborated with a variety of hospital and specialty pharmacy providers, ranging from independent establishments to wholesale distributors, supermarket chains, and hospital health systems, our hope is that our expertise can become your peace of mind.

Product Overview

• ComplySuite® Technologies: Automate compliance management, reduce the operational burden, and restore confidence in your compliance.

• UltraTouch® Technologies: Enhance the patient experience and increase speed-to-therapy.

• Specialty Pharmacy Consulting: Accreditation, licensing, 340B maximization, PBM and health plan mapping, prime vendor contracting, regulatory compliance, overcoming staffing challenges, etc.

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Consulting: Market access, contracting, pricing, distribution, compliance, therapy positioning, etc.

ComplySuite® — Restore the Confidence in Your Compliance

For over 12 years, D2 has collaborated with major accreditation bodies, regulatory agencies, and our internal pharmacist consultants to identify gaps and streamline processes for staying ahead of accreditations, monitoring licenses company-wide, and more efficiently managing regulatory alerts. ComplySuite® is comprised of three web-based platforms:

n AccredComply: A centralized database for accreditation and reaccreditation management.

• Built-in global database of accreditation requirements.

• Automated, customizable, and auditor-ready reporting.

• Roles-based platform designed for cross-departmental communication.

n RegComply: Novel regulatory alert management dashboard that ensures only the right alerts, go to the right people, every time.

• Customizable alert paths and intelligent triaging based on organizational structure.

• Automated alert response documentation and audit-ready reporting.

• Legislation tracking supported by real people.

n LicenseComply: A single database for organizing, monitoring, and tracking licenses so you never miss a renewal.

• License storage with searchable license libraries.

• Live status tracking dashboard.

• Roles-based platform with custom admin views.

UltraTouch® — Reimagine the Patient Experience

UltraTouch® consists of patient engagement, prior authorization, and therapy management solutions designed to enhance the patient experience by integrating with your existing systems, increasing speed-to-therapy, and simplifying communication with patients, payers, prescribers, and team members alike.

n UltraTouch® Verify: Revolutionary prior authorization management supported by real people.

• PAs, patient data, PA statuses, and all communication in one organized dashboard.

• Team efficiency reporting and payer behavior analysis.

• Agile integration with existing systems (EHR, APIs, Epic, FHIR, etc.) and existing PA processes.

n UltraTouch® Engage: Automated, bi-directional patient communication.

• Custom digital outreaches for onboarding and collection of missing information.

• Multi-language compatible without data loss.

• Proven 53% increase in speed-to-therapy.

n UltraTouch® Patient Management: Patient data optimized for accreditation.

• Provides forms and assessments aligned with current accreditation standards.

• Supports disease and drug-specific therapy programs.

• Hosts all patient data points in one place for simple outcome reporting.

Ordering Information

To request a demo or learn more about how we partner with organizations like yours, check out our website or email us at connect@d2rx.com.

GX Solutions & OptiCool™ Technology

Optimized Cold Storage

HELMER’S EXCLUSIVE OPTICOOL™ TECHNOLOGY IS OFFERED ON GX SOLUTIONS MEDICAL-GRADE REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS

SUPPORTS TEMPERATURE UNIFORMITY

GX Solutions are the first cold-storage solutions to offer optimized control in three key temperature management areas: uniformity, stability, and recovery.

SUPPORTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY STAR® certified and up to 50-65% more energy efficient than conventional medical-grade cold storage.

SUPPORTS SUSTAINABILITY

Natural HC refrigerants reduce heat output, decrease the carbon footprint, and decrease global warming potential.

SUPPORTS RELIABILITY

Designed and tested with Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) to provide a 10year service life. Engineered

General Manager: Matt Barga

Sales Leader: Betsy Cox

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 743-5637

GX Solutions From Helmer Engineered for a 10-Year Service Life

GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers have undergone Accelerated Life Testing to ensure they meet the quality and reliability requirements to perform in the busy pharmacy environment.

Address: 14400 Bergen Boulevard Noblesville, IN 46060

Website: www.helmerinc.com

Company Background

Helmer Scientific, now part of Trane Technologies Life Science Solutions, is a U.S.-based manufacturer and worldwide distributor of medical-grade cold storage and laboratory processing equipment. We have over 45 years of experience in providing high-quality temperature-controlled environments, with our products being used in over 125 countries. Precise temperature performance and control are essential to the successful storage of pharmaceuticals, and Helmer cold storage products are designed and developed with these considerations.

Product Overview

n GX Solutions — Engineered to Perform, Engineered to Last GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers are designed and tested to deliver world-class temperature performance Helmer customers have come to trust from the leading manufacturer of pharmacy cold storage equipment.

n Reliability

GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers are manufactured in an ISO 13485 certified, FDA registered facility. They have undergone accelerated life testing to ensure they provide reliable performance and protection for the most sensitive pharmaceutical applications. Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) is incorporated into the Helmer design process to ensure reliability:

• Identifies and addresses possible failure modes prior to equipment release for general use.

• Exposes units to very high levels of stress to challenge the system down to the subassembly and component levels.

• Ensures the unit’s design can withstand the rigors of daily use through a 10-year life.

n Performance

Superior performance ensures that products are safely stored at the right temperature. GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers offer:

• Tight temperature uniformity and stability.

• Fast temperature recovery after door openings.

• Configurable to meet most application requirements.

• Standard NSF/ANSI 456 Vaccine Storage Certification.

• Available in 5 cu ft to 58 cu ft footprints.

n Efficiency & Sustainability

GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers support sustainability initiatives without sacrificing performance.

• ENERGY STAR® certified.

• Utilize low-GWP natural hydrocarbon refrigerants with zero ozone depleting potential.

• Meet many energy standards including the EPA SNAP program.

Contact Information

Contact a Helmer sales representative at sales@helmerinc.com.

Thought Leader Video Series

Accelerating Your Specialty Pharmacy Program

Nicole Faucher, President, Allison Arant, Senior Vice President of Client Development & Marketing, Mo Kharbat, Vice President of Industry Affairs, Alex Pham, Vice President of Client Strategy, Rusty Atkinson, Vice President of Information Technology, and Daniel Gladwell, Associate Vice President of Finance

Topics Include:

• Clearway Health: Specialty Pharmacy Accelerator.

• Three key elements that establish a healthy and effective partnership.

• How the information technology team impacts patients’ lives.

Pharmacy Business Career Experiences With CVS Health

Joshua Cahill, Lead Director of Talent Acquisition, Wendy Perreault, Experiential Learning and Residency University Relations Manager, Dominic Cava, Pharmacy Manager, John Cerni, Region Director, and Jessica Read, Region Director

Topics Include:

• What a Pharmacy Business Leadership Rotation looks like with CVS Health.

• How pharmacy students can develop their clinical and management skills. Who can complete a Pharmacy Business Leadership Rotation experience.

• How the PBLR exposes participants to unique pharmacist roles.

Transforming Healthcare through Pharmacy

Erick Siegenthaler, Senior Director of Infusion Strategy, Kristin Fox-Smith, Managing Director 340B ACE, Angela De Ianni, Senior Director, Angie Amado, Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services, and Herolind Jusufi, Consultant

Topics Include:

• Five keys to success with specialty pharmacy.

• Partnering with Visante for infusion strategy.

• 340B optimization.

Pharmacy Careers With Rite Aid

Kelson Record, PharmD, CDR, Marcus Weaver, Roya Naim, PharmD, AIRS-CDR, and Nathan Johnson, PharmD

Topics Include:

• Qualities recruiters look for in candidates.

• How Rite Aid leverages technology.

• Advice for new pharmacy school graduates.

• Career growth opportunities at Rite Aid.

Blister

Pouch

Chairman: Duane Chudy

Founded: 2020

Phone: (262) 729-9200

Address: N1671 Powers Lake Road Genoa City, WI 53128

Website: jfcrx.com

Company Background

Introducing the Next Generation Pharmacy Automation and Software From JFCRx

Conceived and operated by industry veterans, JFCRx helps pharmacies realize their vision for the future through analytics-driven automation. We connect data and leverage analytics to streamline pharmacy operations for efficiency and profitability.

n Adherence Pouch Packaging

JFCRx is a pharmacy automation partner that offers a full suite of complementary pharmacy automation solutions: leadingedge equipment and software, business process improvement intelligence, comprehensive analytics, and superior customer service. Led by an experienced team of pharmacy industry veterans, JFCRx leverages real-world data to help pharmacy operations become more efficient, increase productivity, and reduce operational costs through “analytics-driven automation.” More than a vendor of pouch and blister adherence packagers, inspection systems, and vial-filling automation solutions, JFCRx is a technology solutions partner that provides the tools pharmacies need to be successful.

Product Overview

n The Groundbreaking Enlite™ Management System

Only JFCRx offers a complete suite of pharmacy automation solutions managed through one cloud-based ecosystem, Enlite. This transformative software turns any number of disparate systems into a single solution — and delivers an enterprise level of efficiency, analytics, and reporting not available before in the industry. Enlite addresses inefficiencies and communication barriers in the pharmacy industry’s existing hardware ecosystem. Schedule a demo to learn more about Enlite’s current reporting and dashboard capabilities and the enterprise-level expansions in development.

n Multi-Dose Blister Card Packaging

TruCard™ is the industry’s only automated multi-dose blister card packaging solution with integrated image verification. Designed to fit the needs of any pharmacy through flexible configurations and workflows, the TruCard line provides accurate and efficient workflows to fill and check blister cards automatically.

Managing medication adherence is a key challenge for patient outcomes and overall cost of care. We help pharmacies improve patient medication adherence while optimizing production and efficiencies. TruPak™ is the next evolution of adherence packaging and delivers labor-saving automated tablet pouch packaging for improved safety, efficiency, and medication adherence.

n Pouch Verification

TruCheck™ provides adherence pouch verification for product quality, accuracy, and traceability. Efficient and accurate verification, review, and storage of adherence pouches is critical to any pharmacy operation. TruCheck streamlines production and minimizes timely manual checks while ensuring patient safety.

n Vial Filling

Vial filling technology helps pharmacists dispense medications more efficiently and accurately versus traditional manual processes. This means staff can spend more time on patient care and depend upon the accuracy and verification capabilities of their vial filling solution. TruScript™ provides easy, safe, and accurate semiautomated vial filling. With a user-friendly interface and scalable design, it is adaptable to any pharmacy and can link multiple devices together to expand formulary capacity.

Markets Served

• Long-Term Care

• Retail

• Hospital

Ordering Information

To learn how analytics-driven pharmacy automation can help you increase revenue, efficiency, and productivity, please contact us at (262) 729-9200 or info@jfcrx.com or visit jfcrx.com.

You

Paladin Point of Sale for Rx Processing and OTC Inventory

Paladin helps ease Rx processing with single-point checkout and makes OTC inventory control a breeze –freeing you up to address patient care needs without sacri cing e ciency and pro tability.

With Paladin you’ll get a consolidated point-of-sale process, spend less time on OTC inventory management, and get unsurpassed US-based customer support.

Compliance adherence

Wholesaler integrations

Prescription status report

OTC inventory management tools

100% SIGIS-certi ed and NPLEx integrated

“

"With so many regulations and requirements involved, Paladin POS made everything simple and e ortless."

Michael Welsch Miller’s Pharmacy, West Henrietta, New York

Paladin integrates with many of the leading Rx Management Systems.

President: Dan Nesmith

Founded: 1980

Employees: 70+

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 725-2346

Fax: (541) 383-3887

Single-Point Checkout Built for Pharmacy by Paladin Data Corporation

Paladin Point of Sale helps pharmacies run better by automating time-consuming processes.

Address: 916 East Baseline Road, #101 Mesa, AZ 85204

Website: paladinrx.com

Company Background

Paladin Data Corporation is a leading provider of retail technology that automates complex and time-consuming business operations. For over 40 years, we have focused on helping independent retail businesses run better.

PaladinRX integrates with all leading pharmacy systems, helps ease Rx processing with single-point checkout, and makes OTC inventory control a breeze — freeing you up to address patient care needs without sacrificing efficiency and profitability.

Product Overview

With Paladin Point of Sale, you get unsurpassed U.S.-based customer support and a consolidated point-of-sale process so you’ll spend less time on Rx processing and OTC inventory management and have more time to focus on patient care.

Paladin Point of Sale is a front-end pharmacy solution that integrates with your prescription management system to speed up prescription processing via single-point checkout.

Paladin Point of Sale and OTC Inventory Management software ensures compliance by capturing final invoice amounts and signatures for both pharmaceutical and OTC items dispensed at checkout, then returns data back to the Rx management system for patient records. Paladin also:

n Provides options for barcode integration.

n 100% SIGIS-certified and NPLEx integrated.

n Integrates with many of the leading Rx systems.

Key Features

Compliance Adherence

Paladin makes audits a breeze by ensuring your Rx processing adheres to federal regulations and insurance requirements like HIPAA signatures, FSA/HSA/HRA expenditures, and NPLEx tracking that includes enforcement on pseudoephedrine purchase limits and historical data.

Split Invoice Processing

Paladin is 100% SIGIS-certified and speeds up the checkout process with the ability to differentiate between IIAS-eligible vs. non-eligible products and split transactions across FSA, HRA, HSA, credit cards, and other forms of payment.

OTC Inventory Management Tools

PaladinNsight™ and Market Driven Inventory Management™ put your inventory data at your fingertips with real-time data that adds intelligence to the inventory process so you can easily and confidently determine stock needs and make quick purchasing decisions.

Wholesaler Integrations

Wholesaler integrations provide timely access to current pricing and allow stores to place electronic orders and receive invoices quickly and easily.

Prescription Status

Paladin provides reports to easily verify the prescription status for pending, filled, or picked-up prescriptions.

CASE STUDY

ACCREDITATION PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Improving Your Business Through Accreditation

Jessica Strobl, PharmD Vice President of Professional Services ~ Lewis Drug

“In the end, what TCT does for Lewis Drug,” says Strobl, “is help us put a spotlight on quality improvement.

That’s exactly what I’m looking for. That’s what it’s all about for us.”

BUILT ON A MISSION OF ‘PATIENTS FIRST’

Founded in 1942, Lewis Drug has been a trusted, family-owned neighborhood pharmacy for over 80 years. Today, the company has 60 locations throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, offering traditional pharmacy services to the surrounding communities. Many of their stores also support assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other long-term care providers.

With a mission of putting patients first, Lewis Drug has a corporate team of experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who provide guidance and support to each store. “We aim to give our pharmacists-in-charge the autonomy to run their stores in a way that meets the needs of their communities,” says Vice President of Professional Services for Lewis Drug, Jessica Strobl, PharmD. “Our goal is to take some of the day-to-day details of operating a pharmacy off their plates so they can focus on their patients.” That includes everything from establishing companywide safety protocols to staying on top of Medicare best practices and benchmarking requirements.

Lewis Drug knew accreditation would deliver incredible value in terms of operational efficiency, improving patient outcomes, and employee satisfaction. The challenge, Strobl says, is that the corporate team is relatively small. “The thought of putting all the pieces together for accreditation and keeping up with annual updates, especially where Medicare billing is concerned, is a bit overwhelming on top of our day-to-day responsibilities.”

That’s why in 2018, they turned to The Compliance Team (TCT).

LEWIS DRUG’S ACCREDITATION JOURNEY

Working with pharmacies and healthcare providers nationwide, The Compliance Team is known for its industry-leading accreditation model. As a first step, Lewis Drug worked toward earning TCT’s Community Pharmacy Accreditation program, which includes DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies) Part B. As an approved program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), DMEPOS Part B accreditation was particularly important to the pharmacy. “I’d say there might have been a time when we considered not offering Medicare B billing because of the complexity,” says Strobl. “It can be a lot of extra work for low reimbursement rates.” Yet, not providing that service simply didn’t fit in with their philosophy of putting patients first. Added to that, she continues, Medicare B audits are pretty standard and require a lot of documentation. “Before working with The Compliance Team and earning accreditation, we

thecomplianceteam.org

CASE STUDY

“ For us, being an Exemplary Provider means we’re delivering the most consistent and highest quality services possible.”

Jessica Strobl, PharmD Vice President of Professional Services

~ Lewis Drug

“ Not only has Accreditation resulted in better consistency across our 60 locations, but it has made us more self-aware of the things we needed to be accountable to.”

Mr. William Ladwig, RPh Senior Vice President, Professional Services

~ Lewis Drug

thecomplianceteam.org

struggled with gathering all the information we needed on a consistent basis.” This made audits stressful. TCT helped the team create a standardized process for every Medicare Part B fill. Now, pharmacists use a simple form to capture all the details needed in the event of an audit and have patients sign off on it. “Having a partner, like The Compliance Team, who knows the nuances inside and out, who can break things down and explain it to you in plain language, is invaluable.”

Since then, Lewis Drug has added Long-Term Care Accreditation at various locations to support their partnerships with the local facilities they serve. This is in addition to TCT’s TelePharmacy Accreditation, explicitly designed to help pharmacies expand their reach in remote communities within state-specific regulations. Lewis Drug has earned TCT’s Exemplary Provider® status through these accreditations, demonstrating their commitment to quality and safety. “For us, being an Exemplary Provider means we’re delivering the most consistent and highest quality services possible,” explains Strobl.

REAPING THE REWARDS OF PHARMACY ACCREDITATION

Accreditation certainly does take time and effort, but Strobl believes that not being accredited and trying to weed through standards and policies alone would be even more time-consuming. That’s why she feels having TCT’s compliance requirements written in a clear, straightforward way has been immeasurable for Lewis Drug’s small corporate team. “Knowing we can rely on their expertise means a lot to our pharmacists because they can concentrate on doing what they do best, taking care of their customers.” And it shows. Strobl says patients feel very comfortable coming into a Lewis Drug because they know pharmacists are always available to answer questions. “Our pharmacies are just getting busier and busier, and I think it’s because of the level of service our pharmacists provide – partly due to the efficiencies accreditation has afforded us.” Strobl says accreditation has also added a lot of value for the pharmacy where payers and State Boards of Pharmacy are concerned. “They know that as an accredited provider, we are already meeting many of their guidelines — and that we’re operating on a proven set of policies and best practices.”

“In the end, what TCT does for Lewis Drug,” says Strobl, “is help us put a spotlight on quality improvement. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. That’s what it’s all about for us.” She points to Medicare as an example, which requires that pharmacies document patient complaints. “The Compliance Team has helped us develop a process for gathering the information as required –through their patient satisfaction tool — but they’ve also shown us how to use the feedback as an asset to uncover opportunities to do better.”

Strobl adds that TCT also encourages the pharmacy to push the envelope with its quality improvement goals. “They dig deeper into where we are and where we want to be – even comparing quality improvement goals year after year to make sure we’re building on them.” She says this helps the pharmacy keep moving forward and stay true to its innovative nature.

A FOOLPROOF METHOD TO PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

TCT’s programs are designed to provide third-party validation of processes based on operationsdriven standards, adapted to the unique aspects of each organization’s business model. Standards are written to be easy to understand – with the objective of establishing consistency of services, processes, and quality across all of Lewis Drug’s pharmacies. This is combined with TCT’s expert implementation guidance. Together, TCT’s model and its accreditation process help pharmacies streamline operations and improve patient and staff satisfaction.

When starting an accreditation process, TCT gives pharmacies access to a dedicated portal that provides checklists and details the standards to be met. “We usually start with a self-assessment to determine what we need to focus on,” says Strobl. To help them do this, TCT offers a series

CASE STUDY

“The Compliance Team’s approach gives us a foolproof way of ensuring we are operating up to all the appropriate standards.”

Jessica Strobl, PharmD Vice President of Professional Services

~ Lewis Drug

Benefits of Accreditation

At-a-Glance

3rd Party Validation of Processes

Improved Operational Efficiency

Consistent Quality of Services

Improved Patient Outcomes

Increased Employee Satisfaction

Medicare Compliance

of tools and learning opportunities, such as accreditation webinars. Lewis Drug also has access to a dedicated accreditation expert so they can ask questions and get additional support. “Working closely with The Compliance Team throughout, we’re able to identify what we’re doing well and where we might be able to make process improvements – and map out a plan to make it happen.”

Once policies and procedures are in place, TCT conducts unannounced on-site visits to ensure Lewis Drug pharmacies adhere to all the accreditation standards. “That might be something as simple as making sure all appropriate signage is posted or that our staff have been recently trained on how to use fire extinguishers,” explains Strobl. “But The Compliance Team also confirms that policies needed for certain services are being followed and we are always compliant.” Pharmacy staff even enjoy the site visits, she adds. “Every store is very proud of how they operate and serve the community, and they look forward to showing The Compliance Team what they are doing.”

Lewis Drug maintains the standards and processes through periodic reviews with appropriate staff. This helps the pharmacy keep up with policy changes and updates where needed. Employees at every store are required to review policies annually as well to ensure they are always up-to-speed. “The Compliance Team’s approach gives us a foolproof way of ensuring we are operating up to all the appropriate standards,” Strobl explains.

A LOOK TOWARDS PHARMACY GROWTH AND PATIENT SATISFACTION

Lewis Drug has expressed an interest in attaining additional accreditations and certifications from The Compliance Team. “We’re in the process right now of determining how other TCT programs fit into the pharmacy of the future – not only to our operation but pharmacy services in general,” explains Strobl.

This look ahead is one of the aspects the pharmacy appreciates most about TCT. “One of the reasons we chose The Compliance Team is because we felt they had very similar core values to us,” she says. “They are truly interested in helping us deliver the very best pharmacy services we can, and that adds a lot of value for our customers.”

thecomplianceteam.org

“ In the end, what TCT does for Lewis Drug is help us put a spotlight on quality improvement. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. That’s what it’s all about for us.”

— Jessica Strobl, PharmD and VP of Professional Services at Lewis Family Drug - 60 locations accredited for Community Pharmacy/DMEPOS

Founded: 1970

Employees: 100+

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 486-4932

Retail Displays, RX Rooms, Storage, and Workstations

Expertly Crafted by Uniweb, Inc.

Since 1970, Uniweb has been factory-made domestically, delivering durable products in weeks, not months, manufacturing all-steel pharmacy systems, softened with unlimited choices of millwork décor and fabric panels.

Address: 222 South Promenade Avenue Corona, CA 92879

Website: www.uniwebinc.com

Company Background

n Uniweb is the Multi-Tool of the Fixturing Industry Uniweb offers various retail, pharmacy, and millwork products for retailers looking to expand their departments without dramatically increasing space allocation. Uniweb RX systems hold more products in the same footprint over conventional systems, boosting profits!

Uniweb collaborates with designers and store personnel to craft visually appealing and practical pharmacies and consult spaces. They offer customizable surface options, materials, colors, and finishes coordinating with the surrounding store interiors.

Product Overview

Uniweb offers diverse, versatile, and modular solutions utilizing every inch of space with flexible room configurations, RX storage bays, and accessories. Designed with fewer components and engineered with tight tolerances, Uniweb’s American-made products exceed UL standards, deliver high-density storage, and will never rip or tear! Whether it’s new construction or renovations, Uniweb offers a comprehensive line of fixture solutions:

• Complete Modular Rooms

• Clean-Line Wall Storage Panels and End Caps

• Consultation and Health Clinic Spaces

• Will Call, Check-Out, and Queuing Systems

• Workstations, Countertops, and Under-Counter Accessories

• Locking Cabinets and Gondolas

• OTC Systems and POP Displays

• And so Much More ...

The walls, counters, cabinets, shelving, and accessories provide infinite versatility while allowing you to design and equip your space for expandability and appearance at an affordable price.

Features & Options

n Why use Uniweb RX systems?

Uniweb is synonymous with flexibility and durability. Retailers can futureproof their existing space by employing more profitable, high-density fixtures. These long-lasting units can be easily updated and reconfigured,

ensuring your space grows with your sales demands. Uniweb products are prewired with data and electrical, and are easy to install, reducing administrative and construction costs.

Uniweb RX bays maintain uninterrupted inventory shelving, with no breaks between or behind bays, and accommodates the tallest bottle, meaning no wasted space. Pharmacy staff does not need to remove drugs from the RX tray when repositioning on the panel. This system will increase product storage by a minimum of 17% and, in some cases, by as much as 50%. Uniweb RX systems are the smart choice for any retailer looking to optimize their space and increase profits.

Most importantly, Uniweb takes pride in its commitment to domestic sourcing and operations. From design to installation, Uniweb ensures that each room or fixture meets retailers’ operational requirements, helping merchants achieve their sales goals.

Product Lines

n Beyond The Pharmacy

Looking to give your store a fresh new look? Uniweb’s Retrofit Crew can help! Our retrofit options allow you to increase product facings without changing your existing fixtures.

Variety Panel: Continuous channels and no upright interruptions. This all-steel merchandiser increases product facings by 17% or more! Easy to install. Attach appropriate brackets and insert them into your existing upright unit.

Allied Panel: Short insert hooks welded onto the panel frame allow panels to lock into existing uprights easily. Panels may also extend beyond gondola height, creating additional merchandising space.

Insert Panel: Replaces torn and inefficient pegboard. Simply remove the pegboard and insert Uniweb into existing store uprights, permitting the use of existing shelving.

Pushing Density To The Limit!

Markets Served

We serve pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, general retail, universities, veterinarian offices, and convenience stores.

Ordering Information

Choose Uniweb for top-quality shelving and accessories made in the USA. Our expert sales team will help you find the best options. Contact us at (800) 486-4932 or visit uniwebinc.com to learn more. We’re here to help with any challenges you may have.

EZ Grid™ From Health Care Logistics® Puts an End to Misaligned Blisters and Labels

Built-in

President & CEO: Gary Sharpe

Founded: 1978

Employees: 300+

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 848-1633

Phone: (740) 477-3755

Address: P.O. Box 25 Circleville, OH 43113

Website: GoHCL.com

Company Background

What began in 1978 as a garage-based business at the home of HCL® owner Gary Sharpe now encompasses five well-equipped facilities in central Ohio and reaches customers around the globe. Employment has grown, with more than 300 employees dedicated to the company’s mission of providing unmatched customer service. Sharpe discovered early in his career the need for healthcare products in sizes, quantities, and materials not readily available and was determined to deliver. And has he ever. Today, HCL’s inventory includes more than 9,000 different products, all designed to provide “special answers to special problems.” Most of these items are maintained locally in more than 320,000 square feet of warehouse space and meet the supply needs of hospitals, pharmacies, chain drug stores, pharmaceuticals, and many other facets of healthcare.

Product Overview

n EZ Grid™ Unit-Dose Packaging System

Achieve precise label-to-blister alignment every time you repackage tablets or batch process prescriptions with our exclusive EZ Grid unit-dose packaging system. Sheets for blisters and labels are available in 5 x 5 grids so there are no unused pieces and no waste to discard. The system is designed around a sturdy aluminum frame with two locator pins. It allows you to choose your inserts (pick from round, slot, and square; all are interchangeable), then choose the matching blister and label combination that meets your Class A or Class B package requirements. Select only the pieces that apply to your process. Blister and label combinations meet USP <671> so you can be confident in the quality of your unit-dose package from start to finish.

HCL® by Design

Our manufacturing division encompasses 120,000 square feet of space dedicated to making exactly what you need. Because production capabilities are virtually unlimited, we can help healthcare professionals solve problems and improve performance, accountability, and reliability in ways previously unthinkable.

Additional Product Lines

• Unit Dose

• Storage

• IV Accessories and Injectables

• Compounding and Dispensing

• Seals

• Plastic Bags

• Refrigerators, Freezers, and Accessories

• Temperature Monitoring

• Infection Prevention

• Carts and Accessories

• Pharmacy Supplies

• Crushers, Cutters, and Organizers

• Error Prevention

Markets Served

• Central Supply/Purchasing/MM

• Emergency Department

• Facilities/Engineering/Maintenance

• Infection Control/Sterile Processing

• Labs/Clinical

• Nursing

• Oncology/Hematology/Infusion

• O.R.

• Pharmacy

• Surgery Center

Ordering Information

We offer small package quantities, no order minimums, free samples, and ship most orders the same day. Our hassle-free return policy allows you to return any product, at any time, for any reason. Connect with our live chat team from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

Crafting Success & MADE-TO-ORDER SODAS:

The Unique Charm and Timeless Journey of Green Line Apothecary

On a crisp morning in Providence, we stepped through the doors of Green Line Apothecary, feeling like we had journeyed back in time — but with a delightful twist! Established in 2016 by Christina Procaccianti and her husband, Ken Procaccianti, this charming establishment graces a bustling street just outside downtown Providence. As we embarked on a tour of the facility, engaging in conversation with Christina herself, we were treated to a delightful surprise — homemade ice cream crafted with organic ingredients. Join us as we delve into the story behind this unique independent pharmacy and uncover the secrets to its enduring charm.

Procaccianti and her husband, opened Green Line Apothecary in April 2016 in Wakefield, RI. Their modern interpretation of a classic American drugstore. A big part of that was the recreation of the soda fountain with real fountains from the 1940s that were rescued, restored, and brought back to life. After success with their initial location, they opened an additional pharmacy in Providence, RI, in 2019. In May 2021, they moved their flagship pharmacy in Wakefield into a larger facility a couple doors down.

Personalized Service at Green Line Apothecary vs. Traditional Independent Pharmacies

The Story Behind Green Line Apothecary

You often hear, “my father was a pharmacist” or “my grandfather opened this pharmacy” but that is not the story behind Green Line Apothecary. Christina Procaccianti’s father was a greeting card salesman, and when she was young, he would get her jobs changing the cards over, where she found herself wandering to the store and falling in love with the environment. She grew up in the pharmacy world and after graduation, went to Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Procaccianti worked in chains and hospitals but always had a calling for independent pharmacy, especially after working for a familyowned independent chain based in Rhode Island. She had such a positive experience working there, but it was time to branch out and do her own thing, her version.

With big chains vertically integrating, Green Line wants to be the alternative and create a different experience for patients and customers down to the soda fountain, a curated selection of products, and tailored relationships with patients. As a common phrase in pharmacy, “pharmacist-recommended,” Procaccianti takes pride that every product on the shelf is “Christinarecommended” and hand selected by herself and her staff of pharmacists. Due to her background in integrative medicine, they carry alternative, natural, or homeopathic brands.

At Green Line, pharmacists are powered to practice to the fullest extent of their licenses, making them a true piece of the continuum of care for the patient’s journey. Given these principles at the core, it’s only natural for Green Line to progress by expanding its operations and introducing a pharmacist-led medical clinic in 2024, Green Line Express.

Balancing Innovation and Nostalgia

While the interior of Green Line takes you back in time, the technology and management of the working pharmacy are very much in the future. Acquiring a robot proved immensely beneficial as they were overwhelmed by production demands. Now Procaccianti’s staff has the flexibility to do clinical services and have consultations with patients, allowing them to have that personalized service without being bogged down by production.

Green Line also integrates software with their adherence packaging Green Line Supply Pill Packs. Using technology to assist them and eliminate the manual process, ultimately helping their patients stay compliant with medication in vials, multi-dose, or single-pill packs.

Delivering Convenience — Exploring Green Line Apothecary’s Delivery Services

Prior to COVID-19, Green Line was delivering to their customers in style in a ‘49 Chevy named “Clara,” and it was a busy part of their business. However, once COVID hit they were able to be nimble, and overnight they went from having one car to 13 cars on the road. They now have a fleet of drivers and do hundreds of free deliveries a day. Being in the small state of RI with two locations, they are able to deliver state-wide quicker than Amazon!

“People want to support local businesses, but they don’t want to go without the convenience, they don’t want it to cost

more, and they like the convenience of what the large stores have to offer. So Green Line is offering all those things”, said Procaccianti.

Owners Christina and Ken Procaccianti first crossed paths aboard the Green Line subway while in college, it was also where Ken proposed.

Integrative Medicine Expertise

Procaccianti’s approach to integrative medicine is “not about extremes.” Whether it’s the realm of pharmaceuticals or the belief that rainbows and butterflies can solve all woes, she contends that the majority of practicing pharmacists occupy a middle ground. Specializing in preventative medicine and advocating for

Procaccianti,

Inspired by her childhood, Dr. Procaccianti set out to reimagine the classic American drugstore. In 2016, Dr. Procaccianti founded Green Line Apothecary, the fast-growing, independentlyowned healthcare company that combines the nostalgic personalized service of vintage drugstores with the efficiency of modern pharmacy. She leads a team of over 100 people that orchestrate its elegant brick-and-mortar stores, robust delivery and e-commerce infrastructure, long-term care

vaccines, she also encourages a balanced approach. While endorsing conventional treatments, she suggests exploring alternatives such as herbal remedies or eliminating additives like Red Dye 40.

Advice for Pharmacy Diversification

There’s no better way to wait for your prescription than with a fountain soda or homemade ice cream prepared the oldfashioned way, using the pump-and-jerk method.

At Green Line, they say the services speak for themselves. Procaccianti is a true believer that you cannot rely solely on your prescription volume, reimbursement are not trending positively these days, and you must diversify your other offerings. Examples Green Line sees success in includes customized OTC product selection, the fountain, and heading into the medical clinic space. “Just don’t get left behind”, Procaccianti declared with confidence.

pharmacy services, curated health and wellness products, and the scratch-made food and ice cream served at its retro soda fountains.

A 2007 graduate of Northeastern University with a Doctorate of Pharmacy, Dr. Procaccianti has been the recipient of numerous accolades and is a devoted member of the communities she serves. She is a New Jersey native, now residing in RI with her husband and their three daughters.

The original delivery ‘49 Chevy, was turned into Clara’s Cart. A mobile cart serving scratch-made ice cream, floats, and vintage soda fountains to special events.

Christina

PharmD, Founder, CEO, and Director of Pharmacy at Green Line Apothecary

Return Solutions Offers Faster Credit, Easier Tracking, and Efficient

President & CEO: Michael Ayres

Founded: 1992

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 579-4804

Phone: (865) 675-1355

Fax: (865) 675-2474

Address: 10635 Dutchtown Road, Knoxville, TN 37932

Website: www.drugreturns.com

Company Background

Founded in 1992, Return Solutions is one of the most experienced and trusted reverse distributors in the industry. Over the last 32 years, we have built relationships with group purchasing organizations across the country and are currently recommended by over 25 buying groups representing 20,000+ pharmacies. In 1998, we became the first returns company to issue checks to our customers for credit, and since then have paid customers over $1 billion.

Product Overview

The OneCheck Select program is tailored to independent and regional chain pharmacies and health systems. Over the past 32 years, we’ve perfected our pricing and reimbursement processes to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your outdated products. We optimize the reimbursement process, consolidating credit into one check and ensuring that you receive credit quickly — within as few as 10 days if you choose our 10-Day Pay program, or within no longer than 90 days with our most economical option. Credit values are listed on the check stub, so you know exactly how much you have received from each manufacturer. Our all-inclusive fee, including shipping, CII-CV processing, destruction of non-returnable items, and extensive reporting available on our website, is a fixed percentage of your returnable product value and is deducted from the check we issue to you, so there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. Choose from our comprehensive On-Site Service and let our experienced representatives handle every aspect of your return or use our easy and economical web-based Mail-In Service if you prefer to complete your returns on your own time.

Features & Options

n OneCheck Select

• Credit consolidated into one check.

• Choose your reimbursement time frame.

• Check issued within as few as 10 days.

• All-inclusive fee with no hidden charges.

n On-Site Service

• Experienced representatives scan all prescription shelves for short-dated and outdated items.

• All items are scanned into our proprietary valuation software.

• Items are packaged and prepared for FedEx pickup.

• Receive a credit estimate and detailed reporting before the rep leaves your store.

n Mail-In Service

• Easily inventory products on our online returns portal.

• Print return authorization forms and prepaid UPS shipping labels.

• Give boxes to any UPS driver.

• Receive a credit estimate and detailed reporting online within three to five business days.

n Destruction Service

• Safe, simple, and compliant destruction of unsaleable pharmaceuticals.

• Non-hazardous products destroyed by EPA-approved waste-toenergy incinerator.

• Controlled substance destruction witnessed by at least two employees.

• Proof of destruction and DEA forms included in pricing.

Product Specifications

Return Solution’s 24/7 online portal allows you to access your entire return history down to NDC level along with all credit information. We provide business analytics and trends so you can adapt purchasing habits to ensure maximum future ROI. You can print controlled substance reports and proof of destruction to ensure you are always in compliance in case of an audit.

Testimonials

“The rep and the company are very hardworking, honest, and straightforward about everything. There are no surprises. The rep is the best ever.”

— Gibson Discount Pharmacy, Birmingham, AL

“Wonderful white glove customer service, robust website promoting transparency, where you can track your returns, and easy to understand reporting. 5-stars.”

— Birdsongs Pharmacy, Baytown, TX

GPO Affiliations

Ordering Information

To learn how Return Solutions can help decrease time spent on returns and maximize your expired product credit, please call (800) 579-4804 or email support@drugreturns.com. You can also visit our website at drugreturns.com for additional information or to create an account.

Extensive selection of models ranging from 1 to 49 cu. ft.

Fastest lead times in the industry

Temperature alarms with audible and visual indicators for product security

Microprocessor temperature controller –superior temperature control and recovery

EPA/SNAP compliant hydrocarbon, natural refrigerants; environmentally friendly and lowers energy expenses

Temperature monitoring device included with 3-year certificate of calibration

Precision Cooling, Certified Confidence With American BioTech Supply

The NSF/ANSI 456 Standard for Vaccine Cold Storage ensures that certified units protect pharmaceuticals at optimal temperatures, prioritizing patient safety, preventing waste, lowering energy costs, and allowing for peak delivery of vaccines.

President: Laura Steiner

Founded: 1994

Employees: 150+

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 648-4041

Phone: (843) 821-8010

Address: 125 Varnfield Drive Summerville, SC 29483

Website: americanbiotechsupply.com

Company Background

American BioTech Supply (ABS), a Horizon Scientific, Inc. brand, provides a full range of temperature-controlled equipment to our customers across the healthcare, laboratory and clinical research, pharmaceutical, and industrial segments. The extensive portfolio of quality products ranges from small capacity countertop refrigerators to freezers, including special purpose, applicationspecific models, as well as cryogenic freezers for long-term sample preservation. Ensuring customer requirements are met, all products are designed in a variety of configurations, from general purpose cold storage to medical and pharmaceutical storage with stringent temperature performance requirements. With over 25 years of experience, ABS excels at quickly developing customer solutions at competitive price points while providing industry-leading service levels. The ABS advantage includes a comprehensive array of products and services to meet your temperature-controlled storage needs, an industry leading warranty, a dedicated support team, and many models are available from in-stock inventory and are ready to ship.

Product Overview

ABS is an active member of the committee that developed the NSF/ANSI 456 Standard, and our units incorporate the stateof-the-art technology specified by the CDC. We have the largest selection of cold storage certified to the NSF 456/ANSI Standard adhering to the specifications regarding temperature consistency, unit design, and product features. Refrigerator and freezer models in compliance with this standard provide a new level of vaccine preservation, optimizing cold storage performance, and maximizing safety.

ABS offers both small capacity undercounter models, as well as large capacity, upright units that meet or exceed the NSF 456/ ANSI Standard for Vaccine Storage. Our growing portfolio of models are tested and certified by a 3rd party laboratory to ensure all requirements are met. Rigorous testing covers the construction details, controller requirements, and temperature variation of each certified unit.

These premium models include user-friendly digital temperature displays for precise readings, audible and visual high/low temperature excursion alarms for added security, and self-closing doors to ensure temperature recovery after door openings. With ABS, each vaccine dose experiences the highest level of protection providing your facility and patients with peace of mind.

Features & Options

• Compliant with the thermal performance requirements as defined in the NSF/ANSI 456 Standard for Vaccine Storage.

• UL, C-UL, ETL, C-ETL listed (either single or dual agency listings).

• Various configurations available including undercounter, countertop, and large capacity upright models ranging from 1 to 49 cu. ft. to accommodate diverse facility needs.

• Parametric, microprocessor temperature controller with LED display and 0.1° C resolution for superior temperature control, verification, and recovery.

• High/low temperature alarms with audible and visual indicators for exceptional product security.

• Utilizes EPA/SNAP compliant, hydrocarbon, natural refrigerants that are environmentally friendly and lowers energy expenses.

• Temperature monitoring device included that complies with the current CDC guidelines, with 3-years certification of calibration, “buffered” probe in the product simulated solution, min/max memory. °F/°C switchable, and field installable.

PHARMERICA’S JOURNEY TOWARDS

PATIENT-CENTRIC CARE THROUGH BEST-IN-CLASS INVENTORY AUTOMATION

Gabriel Toribio Central Purchasing Manager

~ PharMerica

Industry: Long-term and post-acute care

Number of Pharmacies: 180+

Facilities Served: 3,100

Number of Employees: 6,000+

THE COMPANY: PHARMERICA

PharMerica is a national leader in pharmacy services, serving over 3,100 long-term care, senior living, IDD/behavioral health, home infusion, specialty pharmacy and hospital partners.

THE CHALLENGES

• Manual inventory management processes

• Limitations of tracking inventory accurately

• Inefficient and decentralized processes

THE SOLUTIONS

• Automated inventory management

• Streamlining inventory management and purchasing processes

THE CHALLENGE

PharMerica faced several challenges in their operations prior to implementing best-in-class inventory automation. One major challenge was the manual and time-consuming nature of their inventory management processes. With a vast range of medications, spread across multiple departments and locations, keeping track of stock levels, monitoring expiration dates and ensuring optimal stock levels became a complex and labor-intensive task. The pharmacy staff had to manually update inventory records, reconcile discrepancies between different systems and manually calculate reorder quantities. This reliance on manual data entry and paper-based systems led to inefficiencies, errors and increased labor costs.

Additionally, the lack of real-time visibility into inventory levels often resulted in stockouts, delays in medication delivery and frustrated patients. Without an efficient system in place, it was difficult to obtain accurate and up-to-date information on stock availability. This often meant critical medications weren’t readily available when needed, causing delays in patient care and impacting satisfaction. In addition, the absence of real-time data made it challenging to forecast demand accurately, resulting in overstocking or understocking of medications. These inconsistencies not only increased costs, but also led to potential waste and expiration of medications, further impacting the pharmacy’s financial health.

CASE STUDY

“Instead of looking at five different vendors’ websites, your pharmacy management system and your inventory, with SureCost you can see everything in one place.”

Gabriel Toribio

Central

Purchasing Manager

~ PharMerica

Furthermore, the decentralized nature of inventory management within PharMerica created additional complexities. Each department had its own unique stock requirements, replenishment schedules and ordering processes. Coordinating these various systems and ensuring efficient communication between departments became a time-consuming and error-prone task. The lack of integration between the pharmacy management system and the inventory management processes hindered seamless operations and limited the ability to make informed decisions based on accurate, real-time data.

THE SOLUTION

PharMerica recognized that overcoming these challenges was essential to improve their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately enhance patient care. They sought a solution that could automate their Inventory Manager solution processes, streamline workflows, and provide comprehensive visibility into their inventory across departments and locations.

SureCost is a unified purchasing and inventory solution designed for pharmacies to harness insights from their entire vendor and wholesaler catalogs. This software empowers pharmacy teams to identify the best purchasing options while ensuring compliance and optimizing workflows. Over 5,000 pharmacy professionals across the country use SureCost every day to save more, stay compliant and work smarter.

By implementing SureCost, PharMerica aimed to eliminate manual tasks, reduce errors, optimize stock levels, improve order accuracy, and ultimately focus more on providing exceptional patient care.

BENEFITS

Enhanced Operational Efficiency

SureCost’s Inventory Manager™ solution proved to be a game-changer for PharMerica. The automation of previously manual tasks, such as maintaining up-to-date inventory records and reconciling discrepancies, eliminated the need for time-consuming manual data entry and delivered real-time visibility into inventory levels. With the system’s forecasting capabilities and dynamic midmax values, PharMerica can accurately project future demand based on historical data and adjust reorder quantities accordingly. This proactive approach to inventory management helps prevent stockouts and overstocking, ensuring that the pharmacy always has the right medications in the right quantities.

A Fully Integrated Solution

Moreover, SureCost’s integration with PharMerica’s pharmacy management system facilitates seamless data flow and eliminates the need for redundant steps in the inventory management process. The system automatically updates inventory records and synchronizes information across all relevant platforms, eliminating the risk of data discrepancies or duplication. The integration also promotes better coordination between inventory management and medication dispensing, reducing the chances of errors and delays.

The implementation of inventory automation not only saves significant time for the pharmacy staff, but also reduces the burden of manual tasks, allowing them to focus on more critical aspects of their roles, such as patient care and medication counseling. The streamlined workflows and automated processes free up valuable resources, enabling PharMerica to operate more efficiently and deliver exceptional service to their patients.

CASE STUDY

“When I was a pharmacy technician, it took one to four hours on a good day to complete cycle counts. Once we implemented SureCost’s perpetual Inventory Manager Solution, our counts were easily and accurately up to date. This cut down purchasing and inventory management-related tasks to 30 minutes for my cycle counts and 15 minutes to confirm my order is accurate and submit it. I spent less time on purchasing and freed up my time to help in other areas in the pharmacy.”

Gabriel Toribio

Central Purchasing Manager ~ PharMerica

Cost Reduction

SureCost’s Inventory Manager Solution empowers PharMerica with the tools and functionalities needed to mitigate the challenges related to cost management and medication waste. The system’s dynamic mid-max values ensure that PharMerica maintains optimal inventory levels based on actual usage patterns and demand forecasts. By considering factors such as historical data, seasonality and anticipated business gains or losses, SureCost provides accurate recommendations for reorder quantities, minimizing the risk of overstocking or understocking.

Furthermore, with SureCost’s usage modifiers, PharMerica can adjust stock quantities based on anticipated changes in business volume. For example, if PharMerica expects a 20% increase in business, they could proactively adjust their stock levels by leveraging the usage modifier to increase the order quantities temporarily. The usage modifier then automatically decreases as the new usage increases and is automatically removed once that level is hit. This flexibility in managing stock levels prevent stockouts during periods of increased demand and minimizes the financial impact of excess inventory during slower periods.

The automation of reordering processes and the ability to set automated alerts for low stock or discontinued items also plays a significant role in cost reduction. PharMerica can proactively replenish their inventory, taking advantage of favorable pricing or contract terms, while avoiding rush orders or emergency purchases at higher costs. The system’s reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into inventory performance, enabling PharMerica to identify cost-saving opportunities, negotiate better contracts with suppliers, and optimize their overall purchasing strategies.

Improved Patient Care

SureCost’s Inventory Manager Solution has proven to be instrumental in enhancing patient care for those PharMerica serves. By streamlining inventory management processes and ensuring accurate medication availability, PharMerica can prevent stockouts and delays in medication dispensing. The automation of reordering processes and real-time visibility into inventory levels empower the pharmacy staff to proactively address potential supply shortages and fulfill patient needs promptly.

The system’s integration with PharMerica’s pharmacy management system enables seamless data flow, ensuring that accurate and up-to-date inventory information is readily available during the medication dispensing process. This integration eliminates the changes of errors caused by mismatched or outdated inventory records, enhancing medication safety and accuracy.

With the automation of manual tasks and the time saved through streamlined workflows, the pharmacy staff has more time and resources to dedicate to patient care activities. PharMerica can focus on providing personalized medication counseling, addressing patient concerns and ensuring proper medication adherence. With reduced administrative burden, the staff engages more directly with patients, fostering stronger relationships and promoting better health outcomes.

Join over 5,000 pharmacy professionals across the country who use SureCost every day to save more, stay compliant and work smarter.

Book an Inventory Manager demo today to learn more about what smarter inventory can do for your pharmacy.

https://info.surecost.com/talk-to-a-purchasing-and-inventory-expert?utm_campaign=RX%20 Insider&utm_source=RX%20Insider%20Case%20Study%20Ad&utm_medium=PharMerica

Medi-Dose, Inc./EPS, Inc. Your Community Pharmacy Supply Experts

For over 50 years, Medi-Dose/EPS has been working with pharmacists to design and support cost-effective products, solving the specific needs of their pharmacies.

President: Robert Braverman

Founded: 1971

Employees: Private

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 523-8966

Phone: (215) 396-8600

Toll-Free Fax: (800) 323-8966

Address: 70 Industrial Drive Ivyland, PA 18974

Website: www.medidose.com

Email: info@medidose.com

Company Background

Medi-Dose/EPS was founded in 1971 when Milton Braverman, a former pharmaceutical company territory manager, saw the need for inexpensive, manual unit-dose packaging. He developed the Medi-Dose System to package, handle, and dispense predetermined amounts of medication so they would be accessible for one regular dose.

Because of the continued success of the Medi-Dose System, Medi-Dose/EPS expanded its product line to include a full-line of compounding supplies, disposable products, liquid packaging, labeling, and oral syringes designed specifically for the pharmacy professional. We pride ourselves on being the “old friend of the family” and have long-standing products designed to meet the needs of your retail, community, and compounding pharmacy.

Product Overview

n Products for the Compounding Pharmacist

With Steri-Dropper Bottles, liquid packaging, oral syringes, labeling, safety products, and software, Medi-Dose/EPS is your pharmacy’s source for compounding supplies!

The science of pharmaceutical compounding poses unique challenges to pharmacists in the community setting. Whether caring for people or animals, pharmacists have to meet the stringent requirements of USP 797, 800, and other pertinent guidelines, address the unique concerns and conditions of their patients, and do it economically and efficiently. Medi-Dose/ EPS compounding products are integral solutions helping you manage this vital but complex process while providing the care and protection your patients need.

Product Specifications

n Sterile IV Accessories

• Safety Products

• Labeling Products

• Filtering Products

• Dispensing Products

n Steri-Dropper

• Sterile Packs of Either Two or 10 Bottles, Tips, and Caps

• Special Zinc Stearate-Free Resin

• Four Sizes: 3, 7, 10, and 15 mL

n Labeling

• Pharmacy Auxiliary Labels

• Liquid Packaging Labels

• Tamper-Evident Labels

n Safety Products

• Care Giver Protection

• Identification

• Disposal

Additional Products

We are the source for all your pharmacy’s ancillary products! Bags, bottles, trays, and totes are among a few of the many other supplies we carry. Anything that’s necessary for proper handling in a retail pharmacy setting — you can count on Medi-Dose/EPS!

Ordering Information

For additional information, please call us at (800) 523-8966, visit our website at medidose.com, or email us at info@medidose.com.

CEO: Bill Burns

Founded: 1969

Employees: 10,000

Toll-Free Phone: (877) 208-7756

Zebra Technologies Environmental Sensors Bring Visibility

and Cold Chain Confidence to Environmentally Sensitive Products

Zebra environmental sensors provide insights into products, such as biologics and pharmaceuticals when temperature limits have been exceeded during transit, storage, and utilization.

Address: 3 Overlook Point, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Website: www.zebra.com

Company Background

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) helps organizations monitor, anticipate, and accelerate workflows by empowering their frontline and ensuring that everyone and everything is visible, connected, and fully optimised. Our award-winning portfolio spans software to innovations in robotics, machine vision, automation, and digital decisioning, all backed by a 50+ year legacy in scanning, track-and-trace, and mobile computing solutions. With an ecosystem of 10,000 partners across more than 100 countries, Zebra’s customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Newsweek recently recognized Zebra as one of America’s Most Loved Workplaces and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, and we are on the Fast Company’s list of the Best Workplaces for Innovators. Learn more at zebra.com or sign up for news alerts. Follow Zebra’s Your Edge blog, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, and check out our Story Hub: Zebra Perspectives.

Product Overview

For more than 50 years, Zebra has delivered innovative solutions and technologies that help organizations manage their inventories and activities — from barcode printers and scanners to RFID tags and readers, to mobile and wearable computers, to enterprise software and more.

Our comprehensive temperature monitoring and sensing portfolio meets the cold chain needs of specialty pharmacies and their patients. This portfolio includes:

• Visual, low-cost, chemically based heat and freeze indicators for blood products, vaccines, biologics, and other medication during shipment.

• Printable indicators for monitoring the temperature of medications during shipment.

Wireless Bluetooth Electronic Sensor

The ZS300 wireless Bluetooth® enabled sensors monitor and record temperature at regular intervals in storage and shipping applications. The ZS300 is a fully configurable datalogger which is ideal for monitoring temperatures during transport, allowing users to:

• View and share temperature data via an Android mobile device.

• Customize alarm limits, datalogging intervals, startup options, and more.

• Securely store data in the cloud and generate reports.

It’s the perfect solution for conducting pack out testing or for use when couriering medications. Additionally, the ZS300 can be used for

monitoring temperature in medication storage areas between -40° F – +185° F (-40° C – +85° C) to help with accreditation, compliance, and regulatory requirements. Data is uploaded automatically via the ZB200 Bridge or mobile device which can be accessed remotely and provides customized alerts to notify users instantly if there have been any temperature excursions. It’s available with a full suite of enterprise software deveopment tools to easily integrate into existing software solutions.

n Product Use Cases

• Wireless Bluetooth electronic sensors to monitor medication, biologics, and other temperature-sensitive products during shipment and storage utilizing a cloud-based storage and alerting system.

Zebra is striving to improve supply chain efficiency, global health, and patient care through the effective deployment of devices and solutions that identify temperature excursions and provide information so that action can be taken.

Ready to Use Environmental Indicators

TransTracker® visual temperature indicators monitor medication heat and freeze events during shipment. They are simple to read and understand, so patients can tell immediately if medication has been handled within the appropriate temperature range. These devices instill a higher level of patient confidence so that unnecessary, costly reshipments due to suspected temperature damage can be reduced or eliminated. These cost-effective, single-use indicators also help specialty pharmacies comply with state regulations.

FREEZEmarker® easy-to-read freeze indicators provide supply chain intelligence and a visual indication when temperature-sensitive products are exposed to freeze events. With its advanced freeze detection technology, this temperature indicator monitors environmental conditions to help manage your environmentally sensitive supply chain.

LIMITmarker® provides an easy-to-read, irreversible visual signal within the specified response time that heat exposure at or above the response temperature has occurred. It is adhesive-backed and can be applied directly to product surfaces or packaging. The indicating “window” on the label changes color when the response temperature has been exceeded.

Package Performance Qualification Testing

For specialty pharmacies, Packaging Qualification Field Testing (PQ) ensures that the shipment packaging can provide the necessary temperature range for the required period during transport of critical and often lifesaving medications to patients. More than that, PQ testing is also required for certain pharmacy accreditations, such as URAC. Customized 3rd-party PQ testing services also help meet the requirements of pharmacy networks that make third-party validation testing a condition of participation.

McKesson’s Assist Line Offers Automation

Tailored

to

Retail Pharmacies

McKesson Pharmacy Automation is leading the way in automating how patients get their medication, enabling faster and safer treatment.

VP/General Manager: Steve Dennison

Founded: 1998

Stock Symbol: MCK

Toll-Free Phone: (888) 606-6337

Address: 6555 State Highway 161, Irving, TX 75039

Website: www.mckesson.ca/assistline

Company Background

McKesson Pharmacy Automation has long been a market leader in providing automation technology to retail and institutional pharmacies. With a reputation for providing unparalleled service — truly second to none — they lead the way in automating how patients receive medication, enabling faster and safer treatment.

How exactly do they deliver the best possible experience to pharmacies and their patients? It’s a precise mix of people, partners, and technology.

First and foremost are the people. People who understand what it’s like to count pills or have their eyes go blurry from filling seemingly endless blister cards. People who understand the ins and outs of pharmacy. Their collective goal is to make every process within a pharmacy’s operation safer, more accurate, and as efficient as possible.

Partners are the next ingredient in the mix: creative and enterprising engineering firms, best-in-class manufacturers, and premiere shipping and logistics companies.

Adding the two together results in leading-edge technology that automates the repetitive and manual tasks that most commonly lead to medication errors. BlistAssist and CountAssist are two such technologies.

Product Overview

n BlistAssist

When the team at McKesson Pharmacy Automation observed the extent to which pharmacists and technicians struggle with the tediousness of blister packaging and how easy it is for a pill to inadvertently end up in the wrong dosing slot, they knew there was a better solution. The idea for BlistAssist was born.

BlistAssist is a unique blister card production and verification unit ideal for small to medium-sized pharmacies that manually package blister cards. Stock bottle scanning and light guided filling ensure patients receive the right drug and dose, at the right time. There’s a simplified verification process that photographs each medication added to a blister card and provides a large, clear view of each cell’s contents. The verification images can be accessed from anywhere within the pharmacy network, allowing team members to complete verification from a computer or portable tablet, away from the distractions of a busy dispensary.

The average pharmacy has seen an increase in production efficiency,

a drastic reduction in the number of fill errors (due to bottle scanning and light-guided filling), and an average reduction in verification time of 70%!

n CountAssist

When it comes to vial filling, CountAssist makes counting technology more accessible than ever before. Each compact cabinet contains 18 canisters, typically loaded with the pharmacy’s fastest moving products. All cells count individually, directly into their dedicated output chute. This means that multiple cells can count in conjunction, helping to minimize pharmacy wait times during a rush. Just one CountAssist cabinet can automate 35% of a pharmacy’s oral solid prescriptions, freeing up team members to focus on other value-added activities within the dispensary.

It’s common for pharmacies to install multiple CountAssist towers as the pharmacy’s prescription volume grows. Three towers automates up to 50% of oral solids, and that number increases with each tower — up to a maximum of 10 towers. Due to its compact design, it can be used as a bay end cap or simply mounted to the wall. There’s no end to the possible configurations. This technology can truly fit in any dispensary.

Testimonials

“Since installing BlistAssist, we’ve experienced a drastic reduction in the time required to produce and verify blister cards. The software provides security by guiding users through each step of the process, ensuring that cards are filled quickly and, more importantly, correctly.’’

— James Dumont, Pharmacy Owner

“Since CountAssist is only accessed from the front and needs minimal space, I was able to install two cabinets in my pharmacy. It’s simple to use, so it got my staff comfortable with automation. Now our counts are more accurate, and our efficiency has improved thanks to the system’s reliability.’’

— Karim Merani, Pharmacist & Owner

“McKesson Pharmacy Automation enables pharmacies to really get extra capacity from their workforce and allows them to do what they want to do — interact with people. Relying on technology for behind-the-scenes work is a really efficient use of resources.”

— Georgina Gaudet, Pharmacy Owner

Trade Shows/Meetings Attended

We’re on the road! Stop by our booth to see CountAssist and BlistAssist in action at McKesson ideaShare, NACDS Total Store Expo, and various other shows throughout the summer.

Ordering Information

Whether a pharmacy owner is looking for efficiency solutions during the ongoing labour shortage, or streamlined verification and traceability for producing blister cards, there’s no doubt these innovative solutions are a must-have technology for today’s retail pharmacy. Get started at www.mckesson.ca/assistline.

A Q

Joseph P. Navarra, R.Ph., FACA, FAPC

Owner of Town Total Compounding Center

Q. As both board chair of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding and a compounding pharmacy owner, what are you seeing lately in the world of pharmacy compounding?

There are big changes and great opportunities right now in pharmacy compounding, both for 503As and 503Bs. With updated USP chapters, some pharmacies that do a small volume of compounding in addition to traditional dispensing are deciding that the cost of compliance isn’t worth it — particularly hazardous drug compounding. They’re passing that portion of the business along to pharmacies who specialize in compounding.

Pharmacy compounding is also getting more media attention lately, especially with compounded GLP-1s, but a lot of the stories miss the nuance or report inaccurate information. APC is focused on cultivating more balanced and factual news coverage of compounding this year. We have a program where we’re bringing healthcare reporters into compounding pharmacies (particularly sterile compounding pharmacies) to allow them to see what compounders actually do. It shows them that compounding isn’t mixing random ingredients together in barrels out back but is a highly regulated industry held to rigorous standards, all in the interest of keeping patients safe and well. We’ll be doing more of those tours for reporters as the year progresses.

Q. Are

you seeing anything that could interrupt patient access to compounded medications?

There is always a concern that legislation and regulation — or sometimes, a lack of it — could affect patient access. Right now, there are two main issues on the federal level that APC is addressing to maintain patient access to medications. First is legislation modifying how “drug shortage” is defined in federal law. We want to authorize the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to collect information on drug shortages not only from manufacturers, but from health care practitioners and others. Combined, these changes will make the FDA shortage list more accurate and current and will enable drug manufacturers, pharmacies, and health care practitioners to more quickly identify and address drug shortages as they arise.

The other major issue is one the compounding industry has been dealing with for over 25 years — the MOU requirement in the Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) Act which would restrict

shipments. The 5% cap on shipments by pharmacies in states that don’t sign the MOU — and about 10 states are saying they can’t or won’t — would significantly interrupt patient access to care. Since DQSA makes the need for an MOU obsolete, APC is proposing eliminating the MOU and replacing it with a framework for mandatory reporting by pharmacies that ship more than 50% of their production out of state. The proposal also includes reporting of serious adverse events by all 503A pharmacies, which is already required for 503Bs, and which we think will enhance our profession’s credibility.

The possibility that the FDA may move to restrict access to compounded hormones, based on a flawed and discredited 2020 report it commissioned from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), is also an ongoing concern. The FDA has stated publicly and in correspondence with Members of Congress that it intends to use the flawed NASEM study’s recommendations to inform the agency’s policies on compounded hormones going forward. APC has an ongoing media campaign to preserve patient access to compounded hormones, and more information can be found at compounding.com.

Q. What can pharmacy compounders do to help ensure patient access isn’t interrupted?

There are three big things compounders can do. One, join an industry trade association. Being a member of organizations like APC can help assure you are informed about laws, standards, and trends in compounding — so that you can practice at the top of your expertise. Two, involve yourselves in advocacy on the part of your profession. Our collective strength as compounders depends on how engaged you are in helping shape legislation and regs in Congress and in the states where your licensed. And three, which should be a given, comply with all local and federal laws, adhere to USP standards, and follow best practices.

In 2020, APC adopted a new Compounder Code of Ethics, and it requires members to commit themselves to the Code of Ethics when they join or renew their APC membership. I urge compounders to use that code and the training materials that go along with it to continually remind their compounding teams about their ethical obligations.

Q. What has been the impact of compounded GLP-1s on the compounding industry?

It has been an opportunity to show that compounding pharmacies

can meet a need — short or long term — during drug shortages. We can help ensure patients don’t lose access to important medications. The role compounders have played during the GLP-1 shortage also shows why it is so important to address how shortages are defined and what compounders are allowed to do.

Compounded GLP-1s have garnered a lot of media attention, too. Like I mentioned before, a lot of the reporting right now misses nuance or repeats inaccuracies. But I think it also provides a huge opportunity for us to educate the media on the integral role compounding plays in the health of patients. Many reporters don’t seem to know compounding is authorized in the FD&C Act or that compounding “essentially” copies of FDA-approved drugs in shortages is allowed under FDA guidance.

Q. What other trends do you see in the near future for pharmacy compounding, especially 503A compounders?

With the updated USP compounding standards, I see a lot of opportunity for compounding pharmacies to start specializing in certain practice areas — veterinary, HRT, ophthalmics/sterile meds, and others — to reduce costs and increase access. I see pharmacies moving to concentrate in a certain area so they can focus on producing high-quality, specialized service. I also see there continuing to be consolidation in the industry, which is an opportunity for owners who are looking for an exit strategy or who want to expand the scope of their practice and business.

Another issue on the horizon is expected final guidance from FDA on 503B wholesaling. The agency issued draft guidance last year that would allow 503B outsourcing facilities to distribute compounded drugs to 503A pharmacies for patient-specific dispensing. While some states may already allow this, final guidance would make it legal across the country. We think the guidance has huge implications on the competitive landscape of compounding. At a minimum, it will help strengthen the business model for 503As. It could also serve to level the playing field between sterile and non-sterile 503A compounding pharmacies — something that some people love and others are concerned about. It bears watching, for sure.

A couple of other trends that I believe will really take off in the near future are small, local clinical trials and the collection of patientreported outcomes for compounded medications. In order to continue to demonstrate the value and importance of pharmacy compounding, we have to move past relying on anecdotes and start collecting data showing outcomes and how compounds

affect patients in the short and long term. APC has a partnership with OutcomeMD, a patient-reported outcome platform, to help compounders with tracking and trending data to demonstrate the positive outcomes from compounded medications.

Q. What else do you want compounding pharmacy owners and managers to know?

I highly encourage compounding pharmacists to access available APC resources. We have resources for advocacy — briefing papers and other support on federal and state issue priorities — plus several education webinars and opportunities designed to support your whole compounding team. One important education tool is APC’s 15-hour online continuing education program called “The Ethical, Legal, & Regulatory Foundations of Pharmacy Compounding,” developed in partnership with the Pharmacy Compounding Foundation and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. It’s a solid foundational course for entry-level learning for compounding pharmacists and technicians and a great refresher for seasoned compounders. In addition to resources for compounders, we also have resources for prescribers. Most prescribers are unfamiliar with the laws and standards compounders have to adhere to, much less the threats pharmacy compounding faces. Our ‘Prescriber Briefs’ series helps pharmacy compounders educate and inform the prescribers they work with on a variety of topics, ranging from the regulatory framework of pharmacy compounding to a brief on GFI 256 to a primer on peptide compounding.

Q. Would you recommend a career in pharmacy compounding to student pharmacists?

Absolutely, positively. I’m a preceptor for a number of schools of pharmacy across the country, and we constantly have students at Town Total Compounding Center interning and learning. In fact, all of our current pharmacists are previous interns. I highly encourage students to look into compounding if they think they may be interested. It’s a completely different experience from traditional community or hospital pharmacy practice.

The Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding is the voice for pharmacy compounding, representing more than 500 compounding small businesses — including compounding pharmacists and technicians in both 503A and 503B settings — as well as prescribers, educators, researchers, and suppliers.

BIOGRAPHY

Joseph P. Navarra, R.Ph., FACA, FAPC is the owner of Town Total Compounding Center, a PCAB/ACHC Accredited compounding pharmacy providing sterile and non-sterile patient specific prescriptions, following USP <795> , <797>, and <800> guidelines. He was previously the executive vice-president of Town Total Health, independent pharmacies that had a focus on specialty pharmacy. He graduated from St. John’s University College of Pharmacy in Queens, New York in 1992. Joseph has been very involved in professional organizations promoting and enhancing the practice of pharmacy at a high level. He is a past president and past chairman of the

Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, and a past president and past chairman of the Italian-American Pharmacists Society. He is a current board member of the New York City Pharmacists Society and the current chairman of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding. His awards while practicing pharmacy include the Distinguished Young Pharmacists Award, Preceptor of the Year Awards, and Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award. Some of his other interests include classic car restoration, and he has been an active, long time martial artist ranked in multiple styles.

Joseph P. Navarra, R.Ph., FACA, FAPC, Owner of Town Total Compounding Center

COMPOUNDING RESOURCES

Buyer’s Guide

AirClean Systems

2179 East Lyon Station Road

Creedmoor, NC 27522 (919) 255-3220

www.aircleansystems.com

Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding (APC)

100 Daingerfield Road, Suite 100 Alexandria, VA 22314 (281) 933-8400

www.a4pc.org

American College of Apothecaries (ACA)

2830 Summer Oaks Drive

Bartlett, TN 38134 (901) 383-8119

acainfo.org

ARL Bio Pharma

840 Research Parkway, Suite 546 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (800) 393-1595

www.arlok.com

Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.

124 Bernard E. Saint Jean Drive East Falmouth, MA 02536 (888) 395-2221

www.acciusa.com

Azurity Pharmaceuticals

8 Cabot Road, Suite 2000 Woburn, MA 01801 (800) 461-7449

firstkits.com

Charles River

251 Ballardvale Street Willmington, MA 01887 (877) 274-8371

www.criver.com/industry/ compounding-pharmacy

CriticalPoint, a TRC Healthcare Brand

1720 S. Bellaire Street, Suite 1250 Denver, CO 80222

trchealthcare.com/criticalpoint

Eagle Analytical Services

11111 S. Wilcrest Drive Suite S1000 Houston, TX 77099 (800) 745-8916

www.eagleanalytical.com

EXAKT Technologies, Inc.

13501 Railway Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73114 (800) 866-7172

exaktusa.com

Fagron

2400 Pilot Knob Road St. Paul, MN 55120 (651) 681-9517

fagron.us

Galenova, Inc. 4555 Avenue Beaudry Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 8W2 Canada (855) 866-0866

www.galenova.com/en

Health Care Logistics

P.O. Box 25

Circleville, OH 43113 (800) 848-1633

gohcl.com

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC)

122 N. Bryant Avenue, Suite B4 Edmond, OK 73034 (405) 330-0094 x1

ijpc.com

ISO-MED, Inc.

1220 Graphite Drive Corona, CA 92881 (800) 797-1405

iso-med.com

Jays Company

14400 James Road Rogers, MN 55374 (763) 557-0056

www.jayscompany.com

LifeFile

501 W. Broadway, Suite 800 San Diego, CA 92101 (800) 902-6048

www.lifefile.net

Medi-Dose/EPS

70 Industrial Drive Ivyland, PA 18974 (800) 523-8966

medidose.com

Pharma Source Direct 8591 Prairie Trail Drive Suite C600 Englewood, CO 80112 (866) 404-0846

pharmasd.com

Pharmacy Stars, LLC

P.O. Box 28020 Green Bay, WI 54324 (608) 351-2664

pharmacystars.com

Prompt Praxis Laboratories

150 N Fairway Drive, Suite 148-154 Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (847) 859-3850

www.promptpraxislabs.com

Revelation Pharma P.O. Box 3556

Greenwood Village, CO 80155

revelationpharma.com/ revcustomrx-partner-pharmacies

SpecializedRx Products, LLC

3787 95th Avenue NE, Suite 100 Circle Pines, MN 55014 (888) 512-1209

specializedrx.com

Spectrum Pharmacy Products

777 Jersey Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (800) 370-6231

www.spectrumrx.com

TICKERWORKS

(formerly BiosRx)

1300 E. Bidwell Street, Suite 105 Folsom, CA 95630 (800) 280-9277

www.tickerworks.com

Topi-CLICK | TEAM Technologies

300 Parkbrooke Place, Suite 140 Woodstock, GA 30189 (877) 870-8448

topi-click.com

Cardinal Health™ Medical Benefit Billing

Track your claims in real time

Cardinal Health™ Medical Benefit Billing enables you to bill and track your medical benefit claims in real time, giving you visibility into submissions, denials and rejections. This holistic view empowers you to expand your pharmacy capabilities.

Gain visibility, save time, gain additional billing flexibility and real-time claim verification.

Gain visibility into all applicable medical claims, including missing secondary claims and pre-submission edits

• Existing daily dashboard features including OrderExpress single sign-on and queues to assist with claim submission

Save time from manual medical billing processes with:

• Automated rental and secondary claim billing

• Dedicated billing support team

• Queues and quick actions

Flexibility to bill through your pharmacy management system or directly through the online portal

Real-time claim verification with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which includes:

• Patient coverage

• Patient deductible balance

CEO: Jason Hollar

Founded: 1971

Employees: 46,500

Stock Symbol: CAH

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 926-3161

Phone: (614) 757-5000

Cardinal Health™ Medical Benefit Billing

Bill and track your medical benefit claims in real time, giving you visibility into submissions, denials, and rejections. This holistic view empowers you to expand your pharmacy capabilities.

Address: 7000 Cardinal Place Dublin, OH 43017

Website: Cardinalhealth.com

Company Background

Cardinal Health is a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of performance and data solutions for healthcare facilities. With more than 50 years in business, operations in more than 30 countries and approximately 46,500 employees globally, Cardinal Health is essential to care.

Product Overview

Cardinal Health Medical Benefit Billing enables pharmacies to bill and track their medical benefit claims in real time. With multiple tiers to fit every pharmacy’s need, save time and improve patient care with this innovative solution to diversify revenue streams.

Features & Options

• Gain visibility into all applicable medical claims, including missing secondary claims and pre-submission edits.

• Save time from manual medical billing processes with:

• Automated rental and secondary claim billing.

• A dedicated billing support team.

• Queues with quick actions (e.g. incomplete, rejected, secondary, refill, and hold).

• Flexibility to bill through your pharmacy management system or directly through the online portal.

• Real-time eligibility verification which includes:

• Patient coverage.

• Patient deductible balance.

Product Specifications

Cardinal Health Pharmaceutical Distribution customers; For Medicare Part B, PTAN is required. Pharmacist NPI is required for clinical service billing.

Testimonials

“Rechelle has been an integral part of helping us manage our medical Part B billing. She made things easier to understand and helped us fix our rejected claims. She makes the system work seamlessly and is very knowledgeable in all things billing. Everyone needs a Rechelle.”

— Josie Phillips-Ross, PharmD, Owner, Phillips Family Pharmacy

“Cardinal Health Medical Benefit Billing has saved a tremendous amount of time, the platform is very user-friendly and ultimately increased our percent of claims paid.”

— Chris L., Coborns

Key Business Partners

Cardinal Health™ Medical Benefit Billing is powered by Enliven Health.

Ordering Information

Please contact your Cardinal Health sales representative to learn more.

Sales Manager: Matt Deeringer

Founded: 2009

Employees: 1000+

Toll-Free Phone: (833) 260-6540

Eyecon® — The Most Advanced Technology in Counter-Top Prescription Dispensing Automation

The Eyecon, with visual precision counting, eliminates the burden of prescription filling with a 99.99% count accuracy. It’s easy to access, has digital records for audits and patient claims present, speeds up the Rx filling process, reduces patient wait time, and increases accuracy of inventory and pill count.

Address: 1000 Armstrong Drive, Fairmont, MN 56031

Website: eyeconvpc.com

Company Background

We’re excited to announce that Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), a global industrial leader, has acquired RxSafe, the innovation leader in pharmacy automation technology. This acquisition marks a significant milestone, as RxSafe will join Eyecon, another ITW business as part of Avery Weigh-Tronix.

RxSafe and Eyecon, under the umbrella of ITW, are set to continue revolutionizing pharmacy operations. This union combines RxSafe’s innovative automated technology solutions with Eyecon, the established leader in precision pill counting and prescription validation. The result is a portfolio of pharmacy automation solutions that will continue to elevate the standards of efficiency, accuracy, and patient safety.

RxSafe and Eyecon improve patient health by partnering with retail pharmacies nationwide. Our technological solutions accelerate your pharmacy’s success and transform the way you do business. We develop long-term partnerships with pharmacies and other industry innovators to enable patient adherence, attract new customers, create additional revenue streams, and boost profitability. Eyecon™ 9420 and 9430 visual precision counting devices, our visionary RapidPakRx™ adherence strip packager, RapidCardRx™ blister card filler, and RxSafe 1800™ automated storage and retrieval system, provide unparalleled accuracy and speed, increased safety and security, and compact size, at the lowest possible cost.

Product Overview

Building on the revolutionary technology of the original Eyecon, the Eyecon 9430 takes the system to the next level. Featuring a unique visual counting system, the Eyecon 9430 is faster and more accurate than manual counting, reducing tedium and freeing employees to spend more time with customers. The capacitive touchscreen provides improved touch accuracy as well as support for multi-touch and pinch and zoom on a bright, widescreen, color display so more information can be displayed in a single view. Eyecon is the first vision-based validation and pill counting system that also saves a photo of every transaction. If a count is questioned, the photo can be viewed and/or printed. Every pill is sequentially numbered, and all the prescription data is annotated onto the photos.

How will the Eyecon help you?

• Safety Brings Peace of Mind: The Eyecon features automatic, visual warnings which notify the operator when specific situations occur.

• Wrong fill quantity; double-count and back-count; partial fills; generic substitutions; Eyecon networked for success; connectivity; PMS integration; inventory updates; and telepharmacy.

• Physical Inventory: Reduce the time to complete a physical inventory and cycle count by over 70%. Fast and exact counting along with digital recording.

• Unit of Use: Allows for the operator to record full bottles and non-pill inventory.

• Audit Reports: Allow staff to view multiple data points to verify accuracy and analyze various aspects of each prescription filled.

• Quarterly Updates: Provide the latest drug database and new features to continue.

Features & Options

n Eyecon® is the preferred choice of pharmacies looking to:

• Ease pharmacy workload.

• Improve pharmacy profitability.

• Focus on patient safety.

• Eliminate dispensing errors and enhance customer satisfaction.

• Reduce workplace stress.

• Improve work life balance.

Product Specifications

n Eyecon by Design

• Platter Surface Area: 48" Sq.

• Dimensions: 28" H x 11" W x 17.5" D

• Screen: 7" Color LCD Flat Panel Touch Screen

• Barcode Scanner: Integrated 1D and 2D Scanner

• Supply Voltage: 100 VAC - 240 VAC

• Frequency Range: 50/60 Hz

• Current: 0.75 A

• Temperature Range: 50-90º F

• Connectivity: (2) USB, (1) Ethernet

• Relative Humidity: Up to 70% at 90º F

• Altitude of Use: Up to 6,000 Feet

• Interfaces: Support for Over 35 PMS Interfaces Built-In

• Accuracy: 99.99% Count Accuracy

• Design: Open Flow, Easy to Clean

Testimonial

“The first piece of equipment I purchased for my pharmacies was an Eyecon. I have 10 Eyecons in my stores and cannot imagine what life would be like without them. They are an integral part of our processes and workflow!”

— Cliff Holt, R. PH.D, Owner of Utah Family Pharmacy, Hurricane, UT

Let’s Talk

To learn how Eyecon can bring your pharmacy to the next level, contact our sales department by calling (866) 260-6540, emailing EyeconOrders@ awtx-itw.com, or visiting eyeconvpc.com.

Revolutionizing Long-Term Care: Navigating the Next Five Years of Transformation

Contributed by:

Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP Chief Executive

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

The long-term care industry will be completely transformed over the upcoming 5-year span. This transformation is influenced by seismic shifts in almost every business sector. Technology, workforce, and services that “follow the patient” are all shifting at an exponential rate. Technology is always changing but now that it influences every aspect of care, innovations in pharmacy packaging, storage, and logistics will continue and new strategies and products will evolve to meet the needs of the individual and in the setting of care they choose to reside. Additionally, innovations in data sharing and artificial intelligence will begin to influence medication selection and care planning designed to maximize desired outcomes.

The convergence of information and analytical systems will yield efficiencies that will help other areas of significant change like the workforce. Since the pandemic, the long-term care environment has struggled with staffing shortages. Some estimate long-term care lost over 210,000 jobs, reverting to 1994 levels. Even with efficiencies from technology, staffing shortages and retention issues are still significant challenges. Facilities and pharmacies are exploring innovative recruitment and retention strategies, investing in staff training and development, and advocating payers for better reimbursement to support better wages and staffing ratios.

At the center of all this change is the patient. The elephant in the room is growth in the older adult population in terms of both the over 65

years individuals and those over 85. In 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau reported almost 58 million people in the United States over the age of 65 and 6.1 million over the age of 85. These numbers are anticipated to swell to 73.1 million and 9.1 million respectively. This decade will see the largest percentage increase in these populations of any decade this century. Roughly 2% of the over 65 population use nursing home services each year, if that percentage holds, in 2030, over 300,000 more people will require nursing home services per year.

There is a growing emphasis on person-centered care, which prioritizes the individual preferences, needs, and goals of residents. Facilities and pharmacies are moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and focusing on creating personalized care plans that respect what matters to residents and supports their autonomy and their dignity. For years, the John A. Hartford Foundation has been investing in aging experts and practice innovations that transform how the care of older adults in delivered. Nearly $700 million dollars has been provided in grants to create age-friendly systems, to support the role of caregivers, and to preserve dignity and honor during serious illness and end of life.

Taking together, these significant sectors within long-term care are driving change. Determining how your pharmacy supports these rapidly moving issues is paramount to success into this medically complex, growing age group. The following are some specific examples of what is coming next for long-term care pharmacy:

1. Reimbursement

No one ever complains that their reimbursement is sufficient, but the historical downward pressure on pharmacy reimbursement, its link to the dispensing of a product and the increased pressure on the price/cost ratio of those products is making pharmacies unsustainable. The drug pricing aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 may be well intended but their impact on pharmacy threatens pharmacy survival. Volume and through put of prescriptions continues to be the only way for pharmacies to survive. This threatens smaller service and quality-oriented pharmacies, and larger pharmacies have a one-sizefits-all philosophy necessary for survival but at the expense of patient choice and satisfaction. Payers must be forced to pay reasonable rates for individual services like dispensing,

vaccination, reconciliation, regimen reviews, therapy management, and patient specific accommodations like compliance packaging, deliveries, and medication administrations.

2. Utilization Management

Pharmacists and pharmacies will be asked to help make drug selections and tailor medications to people not just based on their diagnosis but also their living situation and what matters to them. The best treatment regimens will change based on whether the person lives in a nursing center, or they live independently at home. Pharmacists and pharmacies that can navigate the payer systems and balance the needs of the patient with the sustainability of the services they provide will succeed.

3.

Compliance and Adherence

In the U.S., poor adherence is estimated to cause 125,000 deaths

per year, 10% of all hospitalizations and underlie $100-$300 billion of avoidable health-care costs.

Skilled nursing homes and some assisted living centers administer medications via nurses and nurse aids. This provides assurances that medications are given. In community settings where medications are self-administered, compliance and adherence must be reliably assessed and measured. This is a challenge that innovative pharmacists and pharmacies must tackle.

The baby boomer generation has transformed American life since they were born into it, they now will take aim at health care for themselves as older adults. Pharmacies and pharmacists that embrace the transformation, demand fair reimbursement, and carve out services within and outside of traditional payer systems will continue to find ways to survive.

UPCOMING EVENTS

TRADE SHOWS, MEETINGS, & EXPOSITIONS

RXinsider’s Virtual Pharmacy Trade Show 24 / 7 / 365

450+ Booths, 80+ Aisles www.rxinsider.com

NACDS Annual Meeting

April 27-30, 2024

The Breakers Palm Beach, FL Annual.nacds.org

Asembia’s AXS24 Summit

April 28-May 2, 2024

Wynn & Encore Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Assembiasummit.com

ESTECH 2024

May 6-9, 2024

Las Vegas, NV www.iest.org/Meetings/ ESTECH

Pharmacy Futures 2024

(Formerly ASHP Summer)

June 8-12, 2024 Portland, OR www.ashp.org/meetingsand-conferences/summermeetings-and-exhibition

ECRM Health System/ Institutional Pharmacy Session

June 10-13, 2024

JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa Tucson, AZ ecrm.marketgate.com/ Sessions/Category/ HealthSystems

Florida Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting & Convention

June 13-16, 2024 Tampa, FL floridapharmacy.org/ event/134th-annualmeeting-and-convention

McKesson ideaShare 2024

June 23-26, 2024

New Orleans, LA Mckessonideashare.com

340B Coalition Summer Conference

July 8-10, 2024 Washington, DC 340bsummerconference.org

Cardinal Health RBC

July 24-27, 2024 Chicago, IL rbc.cardinalhealth.com

NACDS Total Store Expo

August 17-19, 2024 Boston, MA Tse.nacds.org

APC’s Compounders on Capital Hill

September 17-18, 2024 Washington, DC a4pc.org/cch

Continued on pg. 67

The first step to truly helping your patients regain or maintain their health is not your depth of understanding of chemistry or pharmaceuticals or compounding. It’s trust. We earn that trust through our actions, by consistently operating our pharmacies to the highest ethical, legal, and regulatory standards. Every day. With every prescription we fill.

The Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Foundations of Pharmacy Compounding

A 15-hour foundational curriculum aimed at equipping you to earn your patients’ trust.

Earning their trust takes more than your technical expertise. It’s equally important that patients know that you and your teammates have an essential understanding of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern pharmacy compounding. That you operate in compliance with those rules. It’s critical for compounding well. But you can’t comply with rules and regulations that you don’t know.

Education to en hance your exper tise.

This is an online CE course, allowing you to complete the certificate at your own pace. It’s also priced well below most CE courses. Every pharmacist and pharmacy technician involved in compounding should earn this essential certificate. Because it’s that important.

PHARMACISTS/PHARMACY TECHNICIANS $495/ea

PHARMACISTS/PHARMACY TECHNICIANS EMPLOYED BY AN APC PHARMACY/FACILITY MEMBER $395/ea

To provide your team the know-how to operate at the highest ethical and legal standards, we’ve created a 15-hour online continuing education p rogram of foundational learning for new compounders. It’s also an excellent refresher for those who’ve been in the business awhile.

The Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Foundations of Pharmacy Compounding is an ideal place to build your team’s fundamental knowledge that will help you earn and keep the trust of your patients. And because it’s a collaboration between APC, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, and the Pharmacy Compounding Foundation, you can be confident that the modules are aimed at ensuring your compounding operation is not just compliant, but excellent.

YOU are a HERO. We are here to support you.

As a pharmacist who serves aging patients, you are often the last line of defense for a population that is at a significantly higher risk for medication-related problems. Your service as a clinician and patient advocate deserves support and recognition. ASCP salutes your efforts!

WHO WE ARE: Empowering Pharmacists. Transforming Aging.

ASCP is a membership association that represents pharmacists, health care professionals, and students serving the unique medication needs of older adults. ASCP is an international organization with members located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and 12 countries. The society’s mission is to promote healthy aging by empowering pharmacists with education, resources, and innovative opportunities. Visit ascp.com to learn more.

Join Today and Save!

Take advantage of our Membership Special and get $50 off. Use promo code INSIDER50, when you join online at ascp.com/joinnow.

Benefits

The following benefits are FREE with an ASCP Membership:

• Monthly CE webinars (1.0-1.5 CPE each)

• Online access to The Senior Care Pharmacist, ASCP’s award-winning, peer-reviewed journal

• Biweekly issues of ASCP’s eNewsletter, ASCP Now

• Members-only access to articles, guidelines, and other helpful information in ASCP’s online Practice Resource Centers

• Free upgrade to get listed on ASCP’s Senior Care Pharmacist Directory

• Members-only access to select toolkits and ASCP’s blog

• Access to post or find jobs on ASCP’s Career Center

• Members-Only Focus Groups for individuals in the same practice setting

• Volunteer & Recognition Opportunities

www.floridapharmacy.org

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING INCLUDE:

Diverse CE opportunities Networking with colleagues

Be the first to know about cutting edge products and services

Tailored programming for students and technicians Awards banquet

Continued from pg. 60

NASP 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo

October 6-9, 2024

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Nashville, TN naspnet.org/annualmeeting

NCPA Annual Convention

October 26-29, 2024 Columbus, OH ncpa.org/annualconvention

ASCP 2024 Annual Meeting & Exhibition

November 7-10, 2024

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center Aurora, CO Annual.ascp.com

ECRM Pharmacy Technology, Services, Supplies, & Automation Session

November 13-15, 2024

ecrm.marketgate.com/ Sessions/2024/11/ PharmacyTechnology ServicesandAutomation EPPS

ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition

December 8-12, 2024

New Orleans, LA

www.ashp.org/meetingsand-conferences/midyearclinical-meeting-andexhibition

EXTENDING LEADING EDGE SOLUTIONS

TO GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE WORLD

President & CEO: Dr. Charles Huang

Founded: 2020

Employees: 200

Toll-Free Phone: (888) 939-6601

Phone: (626) 239-0025

Innova’s Innovations for Global Benefit

At Innova Medical Group, we are powered by our vision to be a global health outcome innovator that provides local solutions to global problems.

Address: 800 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 888 Pasadena, CA 91101

Website: www.innovamedicalgroup.com

Company Background

Innova Medical Group, Inc. delivers better global health outcomes with its deep expertise in testing and unique offerings in diagnostic medical devices and services that help tackle some of the world’s most challenging healthcare problems. Innova specializes in innovative screening, testing, and diagnostics for cancer, heart disease, arterial calcification, stroke, and virus detection focused on infectious diseases. In response to the global pandemic, Innova developed an end-to-end ecosystem of rapid diagnostic and screening tests, along with digital reporting and tracing applications to help organizations manage the COVID-19 crisis. In 2020, Innova delivered more than 220+ million COVID-19 test kits to over 20 countries around the globe, including the United Kingdom, Hungary, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Myanmar.

Product Overview

The Advin COVID-19 Antigen Test @Home is a lateral flow immunoassay device intended for the qualitative detection of nucleocapsid protein antigens from SARS-CoV-2.

• Simple, Quick, Accurate

• Rapid Result in 10 Minutes

This test is authorized for non-prescription home use with selfcollected anterior nasal (nares) swab samples from individuals aged 14 years or older or with adult-collected anterior nasal (nares) samples from individuals aged 2 years or older. This test is authorized for individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 within the first seven days of symptom onset when tested at least twice over three days with at least 48 hours between tests, and for individuals without symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19, when tested at least three times over five days with at least 48 hours between tests.

Contact Information

Contact us at info@innovamedgroup.com to learn more!

AID COMPATIBLE SENSORS

Warmup 30 min 1 hour

Share/Follow while using an AID system*

The only CGM with no fingersticks† from day 1

Urgent Low Soon and Delay 1st alerts: App features that help protect from severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis

Accuracy 1,2 in moments that matter most including:

Most accurate1,2 in hypoglycemia <70 mg/dL‡

Most accurate1,2 in all rates of change in pediatrics§,1,2

Smallest CGM sensor currently powering AID systems

Connects to multiple AID pump brands

†Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.

Separate

1 U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 510(k)

7, 2022. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/K213919.pdf.

2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 510(k) Substantial Equivalence Determination Decision Summary, K222447. Published March 3, 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/K222447.pdf.

3 Peacock S, et al. Diabetes Ther. 2023;14(5):839-855. 4 Dexcom, data on file, 2023.

BRIEF SAFETY STATEMENT: Failure to use the

Dexcom G7 is the Most Accurate, Simple, and Most Affordable* CGM, Leading to Lasting Adherence for Patients1,2

Dexcom G7 is the most accurate continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system1 that leads to proven results.3-7 As the most covered CGM brand,8 Dexcom offers affordable care without compromising quality for the broadest audience of people with diabetes.

Features & Options

President & CEO: Kevin R. Sayer

Founded: 1999

Employees: >8,000 globally

Stock Symbol: DXCM

Toll-Free Phone: (888) 738-3646

Website: Dexcom.com

Company Background

Dexcom, Inc. empowers people to take control of health through innovative CGM systems. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Dexcom has emerged as a leader of diabetes care technology. By listening to the needs of users, caregivers, and providers, Dexcom simplifies and improves diabetes management around the world.

Product Overview

Dexcom G7 is the next-generation CGM system for patients with all types of diabetes and treatments, so they can more confidently manage it each day. Dexcom G7 is the simple CGM for effortless diabetes management. The low-profile, all-in-one wearable sensor warms up in only 30 minutes, 2x faster than any other CGM on the market.† Users will receive real-time glucose readings automatically on their compatible smart device‡ or Dexcom receiver, no fingersticks§ required. Dexcom G7 also offers a suite of customizable alerts that can warn of high or low glucose levels with a predictive low alert that can recognize potentially dangerous hypoglycemic incidents before they occur.

Dexcom G7 is the most accurate CGM system 1 for reliable treatment decisions that lead to proven results.3-7 Dexcom G7 is clinically proven to lower A1C,3-7 increase time in range,4 reduce hyper- and hypoglycemia,4,5 increase adherence,9 and improve quality of life.10 Dexcom G7 is the preferred CGM of national payors on the pharmacy benefit. As the most covered CGM brand,8 Dexcom requires only one prescription for Dexcom G7 to be sent directly to the pharmacy for a quick, simple start and low out-of-pocket costs with most patients paying $0 at the pharmacy.1*

Dexcom G7 is an integrated CGM (iCGM) indicated for the widest age range and across diabetes types (type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes) and treatment types (basal insulin, noninsulin, GLP-1). Dexcom G7 is covered by Medicare for qualifying patients11,|| For more information on affordability programs, please visit dexcom.com/savings.

Dexcom G7 features the most accurate CGM powering automated insulin delivery (AID) systems:

• Two times faster warmup than any other CGM.†

• Only CGM with share/follow while using an AID system.

• Only CGM with no fingersticks from day one.§

• Only CGM with app features that help protect from severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis.

• Smallest CGM sensor currently powering AID systems.

• Over 1 million patient-years on AID systems.12

Testimonials

Dexcom G7 is the simple and most affordable CGM:

• 96% of patients say Dexcom G7 is easy to use.13

• Nine out of 10 Dexcom users stay on product after one year.1

• Dexcom is #1 in patient satisfaction,14,¶ adherence,15,# and retention.15,#

• Dexcom is the preferred CGM of national payors on the pharmacy benefit.

• 90% of commercial patients have coverage at the pharmacy and the majority do not have a manual prior authorization.

• Most Medicare Advantage patients have coverage at the pharmacy.

• Savings programs are available for patients without CGM coverage.

Ordering Information

To order, please contact your pharmacy wholesale partner.

Dexcom G7 is available to order from all major wholesalers.

*Individual pricing may vary depending on commercial insurance coverage.

†Dexcom G7 can complete warmup within 30 minutes, whereas other CGM brands require up to an hour or longer.

‡Smart devices sold separately. For a list of compatible devices, visit dexcom.com/compatibility.

§Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings. || Coverage criteria may vary by plan.

¶Based on net promoter score Dexcom 81 vs. Abbott 27 (Medtronic 10).

#Based on use out of 30 days.

1 Dexcom, data on file, 2023. 2 Dexcom, data on file, 2022. 3 Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022. Published online June 13, 2022. doi:10.1177/19322968221099879 4 Beck RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371378. 5 Beck RW, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(6):365-374. 6 Martens T, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(22):22622272. 7 Laffel LM, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396. 8 Managed Markets Insights & Technology, LLC. MMIT Analytics, June 2022. 9 Nemlekar PM, et al. Diabetes Ther. Published online January 30, 2024. doi:10.1007/s13300-023-01529-8. 10 Gilbert TR, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(S1):S35-S39. 11 Dexcom. Accessed February 16, 2024. https://investors.dexcom.com/news/news-details/2023/DexcomG7-Continuous-Glucose-Monitoring-System-Will-Be-Available-to-Medicare-Beneficiaries-at-Launch/ default.aspx. 12 Dexcom. Accessed February 16, 2024. https://investors.dexcom.com/news/newsdetails/2023/Dexcom-G7-the-Smallest-Most-Accurate-Easy-to-Use-CGM-Now-Connects-to-the-Tandemtslim-X2-Insulin-Pump/default.aspx 13 Dexcom G7 CGM System User Guide, 2023. 14 IQVIA, February 2022. 15 Seagrove Patient Perspectives 2020.

CASE STUDY

HOW TECHNOLOGY AND VISUAL VERIFICATION HELPED TRANSFORM

MEDICINE EXPRESS’ LONG-TERM CARE BUSINESS MODEL

Emily Powers, Pharm. D. President ~ Medicine Express

THE JOURNEY TOWARD AUTOMATION

When Emily Powers, Pharm. D. took the reins as president in 2018 – Medicine Express, a long-term care pharmacy, was a relatively small operation servicing roughly 300 beds. Their vision, however, was to increase that number to 1,000 beds. In fact, the owner had purchased an automated filling machine just ahead of Powers’s arrival to help them move away from their traditional paper-based processes.

Since then, Medicine Express has grown to service 2,700 beds at assisted living and memory care facilities across 14 states and today process 27,000 prescriptions monthly out of its Bellville, Illinois, location. The path, however, was not always a straightforward one, says Powers.

THE CHALLENGE – SCALING TECHNOLOGY TO MATCH GROWTH

With experience working at larger pharmacy operations using advanced technology and computer systems, Powers was well-equipped to help Medicine Express staff adapt to the new automated filling machine. The original automation worked well with their volume at the time, she reports. However, once they reached their growth projections by adding 1,000 more beds in 2019 – they began to experience challenges. “The system just couldn’t keep up with our growth,” says Powers. Plus, as they added more beds, it became clear they would need an automated visual verification process to reduce the need for pharmacy staff to validate each prescription manually.

“We were happy with our existing vendor, so we upgraded to one of their systems designed to handle the volume,” Powers explains. The company also had a visual verification product slotted for release in early 2020 that would give Medicine Express the improved efficiency and medication accuracy they wanted. “That didn’t happen because the global pandemic shut down production and development across various industries – including ours.”

Despite the pandemic, however, Medicine Express continued to grow — and by the end of 2020 had added another 1,000 beds. “We knew we really needed an established visual verification process to deliver the level of service our patients had come to rely on - so decided to make a change.”

THE SOLUTION — PARTNERING WITH NORITSU

While attending an industry conference, Powers met the Noritsu Pharmacy Automation team. “What caught my attention was a case study they had displayed featuring a pharmacy similar to ours – so we started talking.” They continued to keep in touch as Powers

CASE STUDY

“

The quality assurance we gain from the NV’s visual verification is something I can’t imagine doing without now.”

Emily Powers, Pharm. D. President ~ Medicine Express

“

We've reduced labor by 15% and cut production time for multidose cycles by 66%.”

Emily Powers, Pharm. D. President ~ Medicine Express

explored other options. “Let’s just say all the research I did and references I spoke with kept pointing to Noritsu being the right choice for us.” As a bonus, the company had St. Louis-based technicians less than an hour away.

Ultimately, Medicine Express opted for two NX4000 strip pouch packagers for high-volume dispensing and two Benjamin Tray stations for split-dose, one-off or less frequently used medications. They also have an NV 3 verification system for visual verification, which checks the contents of each pouch against a library of images uploaded by the pharmacy.

Once the system was installed, Noritsu sent a technician out to train pharmacy staff how to export prescriptions to the machine and begin transitioning long-term communities. “He taught us how to keep the system going, the types of service messages we might see and how to clean the machine,” says Automation Lead Technician, Carly Thomas. According to Powers, the trickiest part of their implementation was that they weren’t ready to transition every community until they were completely comfortable. “I wanted to be sure we knew this one inside and out before we transitioned fully.” Some facilities and patients were also not comfortable moving to Noritsu’s strip pouches at first anyway because they’d gotten familiar with the traditional blister packs. So, in the beginning, the pharmacy had six employees simultaneously operating the two systems – old and new – which made scheduling difficult. “At the end of the day, however, because Noritsu’s technology was so user-friendly, and the margins were telling us that it was a well-oiled machine, we were able to transition fully about a month earlier than planned,” says Powers.

THE RESULT – ENHANCED EFFICIENCY AND ACCURACY

First and foremost, the NX strip packaging machines deliver an incredibly efficient process, Powers says. Where previously it might have taken hours to run a single community – it now takes about 45 minutes with Noritsu’s system and strip pouches. It’s also easier for long-term care nurses to make medication changes. “Most of our communities were on a standard 28- or 30-day cycle,” she explains. “Noritsu’s technology allows us to run shorter cycles for them – and we’ve successfully converted everyone to a 14-day cycle with no impact to our bottom line.” This reduces medication waste when changes are needed, or a medication is discontinued. The strip pouches are also extremely easy to use, which makes them ideal for assisted living or long-term care at home patients who are independent with their medications.

According to Powers, it’s Noritsu’s NV verifier that’s been a game changer for Medicine Express’s business model. During implementation, the pharmacy team took several images from various angles of each pill they dispense to record the unique markings, size and color. They now repeat this process with each new medication they offer. “When we run a patient or a community cycle, we feed each strip pouch into the NV,” explains Powers. The NV takes a picture of every pouch and can identify what should be inside from the barcode printed on it. The system then references the images of the pills in the pouch with actual images in Medicine Express’s library. When that’s complete, pharmacists can review computer images of all pouches – including those flagged in red that the NV couldn’t verify. “Before Noritsu’s visual verification, we had to physically look at every pill in every bubble for every patient to verify that it was correct,” says Powers. “Now we only have to look at about 4%, our average pouch check rate.” And even with that rate, she says, the issues are usually unrelated to an inaccuracy but have been flagged for things like a broken tablet or an oil-filled pill like Vitamin D that doesn’t reflect the light correctly.

Not only is the NV faster and more accurate than relying on a pharmacist’s manual checks, but images of pouches are stored so it’s easy to go back and review what was delivered if a nurse or patient has a question. “The quality assurance we gain from the NV’s visual verification is something I can’t imagine doing without now,” Powers states.

CASE STUDY

“What’s nice about this system, though, is that it’s so userfriendly. So most of the time, a technician can troubleshoot to help us solve the problem over the phone or FaceTime.”

Carly Thomas Automation Lead Technician

~ Medicine Express

THE END RESULT – EFFICIENCY AND SCALABILITY

“We knew from our research that Noritsu was the most efficient and cost-effective solution, even before we started working with them,” says Powers. Now that they’ve been using the system for a year, she says it’s far exceeded our expectations. “We’ve reduced labor by 15% and cut production time for multidose cycles by 66%.”

Noritsu’s automation is so simple to use that anyone can be trained to use it. “We can pull anyone from the pharmacy if we’re shorthanded – like someone from my billing team – and teach them how to use the system in a day.” The system also gives them a great deal of data for measuring their progress, including how many pouches they’re filling each day and for how many patients, what the pouch check rate is and what they spend on supplies.

Even with all the added efficiency and accuracy, Powers and Thomas agree that what sets Noritsu apart for them is the customer support. “We just fill in a customer support ticket online along with the issue’s priority,” Thomas describes. “We normally get a call within 10 minutes!” If a technician visit is necessary, Noritsu gets someone onsite the next day. “What’s nice about this system, though, is that it’s so user-friendly,” Thomas continues. “So most of the time, a technician can troubleshoot to help us solve the problem over the phone or FaceTime.” As a result, she says they rarely see a technician outside of regular preventative maintenance, and they seldom have downtime anymore. “The people who work at Noritsu are awesome.”

LOOKING AHEAD FOR MEDICINE EXPRESS

In the midst of all this, Medicine Express upgraded their software as well. That means over the course of less than five years – they implemented new automation, upgraded that automation again, added a visual verification system, grew from 300 to 2,700 beds and installed a new software platform. And they aren’t done yet, Powers says. While they no longer have a retail counter, retail and long-term care at home clients with higher medication needs have been coming to them based on recommendations from existing patients. They’ve also been exploring working with correctional pharmacies. “Regardless of what’s next for us, I know that with Noritsu’s automation, visual verification, and support in place, we’ll be able to scale and grow at any pace.” Added to that, Powers says Medicine Express now has a strong automation team in place with Pharmacist Alex Dow and Certified Pharmacy Technicians, Cody Boswell, Kathy Frazier, and Jody Munyon. Rounding out the team is a family affair – with Powers’s sister, Thomas, cousin Mikey Crotty, and mother Liz Thomas, who all joined the pharmacy to help during COVID-19 and have stayed on to contribute to its growth.

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)

Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Accu-Chart Plus Health Care Systems

Accucold

Acute Care Pharmaceuticals

Adheris Health

AdvanceNet Health Solutions, Inc

Advasur LLC

Aegis

Air Link International

AirCare Automation

AirClean Systems, Inc.

AIS Healthcare

Akro-Mils

AlignRX

Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding

Allied Pharmacy Products

Altium Packaging

American Analytics

American Associated Pharmacies (AAP)

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

American Association of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)

American BioTech Supply

American College of Apothecaries

American College of Clinical Pharmacy

American College of Veterinary Pharmacists

American HealthCare Capital

American Pharmacies, Inc.

American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc.

American Rx Group

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

Americorp Financial, LLC

Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

Anda Inc.

ANiGENT LLC

Animal Med Express

Apexus LLC

Apothecary Products, LLC.

APS - Advanced Pharmacy Solutions

ARL Bio Pharma

ARxIUM

Asembia

Aspen RxHealth

AssistRx

Associates of Cape Cod, Inc

AssureCare LLC

Asteres Inc.

Atlas Health

Avel eCare

Aventi Health

Avery Weigh-Tronix

AvKARE, LLC

Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Azzur Group

Medical Systems

B. Braun Medical Inc.

BA Sciences

Baxter BD

BestRx

BetterRx

Beutlich Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Biolife Solutions Inc.

Blue Thunder Technologies Inc.

Bluesight

BluPax Pharma

Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC)

Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)

Bonita Pharmaceuticals

Bureau Veritas

Buy-Sellapharmacy.com

CAM Commerce Solutions / Celerant Technology

Capital Inventory, Inc

Capital Wholesale Drug Company

Capsa Healthcare

CaptureRx

Cardinal Health

Care Services, LLC.

CarepathRx

CarePoint

Carter Health

CEImpact

Cencora / American Health Packaging

Cencora / AmerisourceBergen

Centor

Central Admixture Pharmacy Services, Inc. (CAPS)

Cervey

Change Healthcare

Charles River Laboratories

ChemoGLO

CINTAS Corporation

Cipla, Inc.

Civica

Clean Harbors, Inc.

Cleanetics

Clearway Health

Cloudmed

Codonics

Cold Chain Technologies

ComCo Systems

CompleteRx

ConsortiEX Inc.

Containment Technologies Group, Inc.

Contec, Inc.

CORE Higher Education Group

CORMED

COSHATT

DosePlanner

Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

DrFirst

DRX SOFTWARE LLC

Dycem Ltd

Eagle Analytical Services

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Ecolab

ECRM

Elsevier

Emporos

EnlivenHealth

EPIC Rx

Epic Systems Corporation

Epicor Software Corporation

epocrates / Athenahealth

EQUASHIELD

Esco

Euclid Medical Products

Eurofins Analytics

EveryDose

Everyware

EzriRx

EZSCRIPTRx

Fagron

FFF Enterprises, Inc.

FG Clean Wipes

First Databank, Inc.

First Financial Bank

Flash Returns, LLC

FLAVORx

Flexible Pharmacy Services, PLLC

Flowsell

Follett Healthcare

Franklin Eyewear

Fresenius Kabi Group

Frier Levitt

Genetco Inc.

GeriMed, Inc.

Germfree

Grifols

H+H System, Inc.

Hardy Diagnostics

Hayslip Pharmacy Brokers Inc.

HealNow

Health Care Logistics, Inc.

Health Connect Partners, Inc.

HealthTrust

HelioMetrics

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)

InstyMeds

Integrated Medical Systems, Inc. (IMS)

Integrity Pharmacy Consultants

Intelliguard / MEPS Real-Time, Inc.

Interlink AI, Inc.

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC)

International Medical Industries

ISO-MED, Inc.

IsoTech Design

Jackson Pharmacy Professionals

Jays Company

JFCRx

Jones Healthcare Group

Keycentrix, LLC

KeySource

Keystone Folding Box Co.

KNAPP

Labconco

Lakeland Industries, Inc.

Legacy Pharmacy Group

Leiters Health

Liberty Software

Liebherr

LifeFile

Lincoln Savings Bank

Live Oak Bank

Loopback Analytics

LSPediA, Inc.

Lumistry

Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Macro Helix (McKesson Corporation)

Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA)

Manchac Technologies

Masters Pharmaceutical

MatchRX

Maximum Rx Credit, Inc.

Maxor National Pharmacy Services, LLC

Maxpert Medical

MaxQ

McKesson Corporation

Medi-Dose, Inc./EPS, Inc.

Medical Information Technology, Inc.

Medical Packaging Inc., LLC

Medicine-On-Time, LLC

Medility Inc.

Medisca Inc.

Medivant Healthcare

CoverMyMeds (McKesson Corporation)

RXinsider

CPESN USA, LLC

CPS Solutions, LLC

CriticalPoint, LLC

Crocus Medical Inc.

CuraScriptSD

Cypress Software, Inc.

D2 Solutions

Datarithm

Datascan Pharmacy, Inc.

Dexcom, Inc.

Dickson

Digital Business Solutions, Inc.

DisposeRx, Inc.

DiversifyRx

DoseMe

Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA)

Hikma Pharmaceuticals

Hudson Headwaters 340B

iA

ICU Medical

iLocalBox

Imprivata / FairWarning

IND Consulting

Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)

InfiniTrak, LLC

Infinity Laboratories

InfoWerks

Inmar Inc.

Innova Medical Group Inc.

Innovatix, LLC

MediZap

MedSafety Solutions

MedShorts

Medtel Communications

MedXL Inc.

Merative

Mesmerize

Micro Merchant Systems, Inc.

MIDAS Healthcare Solutions

www.rxinsider.com.

Mideast Delivery Solutions

Migali Scientific

Mobile MediClaim, Inc.

Modern Designs, Inc.

Moderna, Inc.

Modular Cleanrooms, Inc.

Modular Devices

Introducing the Pharmacy500 of 2024

500 of the most impactful pharmacy supply chain companies and associations in the U.S.

Founder & CEO: Gregory Cianfarani, RPh

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 972-2083

Address: 1300 Division Road, Suite 103 West Warwick, RI, 02893

Website: RXinsider.com

Company Overview

RXinsider is a marketing/communications, market intelligence, and technology company dedicated to the pharmacy supply chain. We educate pharmacy management across every practice setting about products and services that impact pharmacy operations and patient care. Additionally, we offer market insights and educational resources to pharmacy supply chain companies and their staff.

Overview

The Pharmacy500 is awarded to 500 pharmacy supply chain businesses and associations that had a significant impact on dispensing pharmacies in the U.S. over the past year.

Who are the Pharmacy500 and what are the selection criteria?

n The Pharmacy500 include:

• Companies in the Pharmacy Supply Chain

• National Pharmacy Trade Associations

The Pharmacy500 selection committee applies the following criteria to determine the list of 500:

• Offers and actively markets at least one product or service to dispensing pharmacies.

• Dispensing pharmacies comprise at least 25% of their customer base.

• Has an estimated annual revenue exceeding $500,000.

• Has five or more full-time employees, and has been in business for more than two years.

• Has a national presence.

• Exhibited at one of the following national conferences in the previous year: APhA; ASCP Annual Meeting & Exhibition; Asembia’s Summit; ASHP Midyear Clinical Meetings & Exhibition; Cardinal Health RBC; McKesson ideaShare; NACDS Total Store Expo; NASP Annual Meeting & Expo; NCPA Annual Convention and Expo; Pharmacy Futures (ASHP Summer); ThoughtSpot.

The following supply chain segments are critical to pharmacy operations but are excluded from the Pharmacy500 simply due to volume:

• Manufacturers and Merchandisers of Pharmaceuticals

• Manufacturers and Merchandisers of Devices and OTC Products

• Colleges of Pharmacy

• State Associations

• Government Agencies and State Boards of Pharmacy

• Pharmacy Fraternities and Sororities

• Dispensing Pharmacies, Health Systems, Chains, Payors, and PBMs

“With such a historical focus on the clinical aspects of pharmacy, it’s exciting to recognize a segment of the supply chain that impacts pharmacies from an operational standpoint, enabling pharmacies to operate efficiently and profitably while providing exceptional and innovative pharmaceutical care.”

— Gregory Cianfarani, RPh, Founder and CEO

Practice Settings

• Community/Retail

• Long-Term Care

• Hospital/Health System

• Home Infusion and Compounding

• Managed Care/PBM

• Specialty

• Nuclear

More Information

For the 2024 Pharmacy500 list, selection criteria, and details, please visit www.rxinsider.com/Pharmacy500.

AAbbott

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)

Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Accu-Chart Plus Health Care Systems

Accucold

Acute Care Pharmaceuticals

Adheris Health

AdvanceNet Health Solutions, Inc

Advasur LLC

Aegis

Air Link International

AirCare Automation

AirClean Systems, Inc.

AIS Healthcare

Akro-Mils

AlignRX

Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding

Allied Pharmacy Products

Altium Packaging

American Analytics

American Associated Pharmacies (AAP)

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

American Association of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)

American BioTech Supply

American College of Apothecaries

American College of Clinical Pharmacy

American College of Veterinary Pharmacists

American HealthCare Capital

American Pharmacies, Inc.

American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc.

American Rx Group

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

Americorp Financial, LLC

Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

Anda Inc.

ANiGENT LLC

Animal Med Express

Apexus LLC

Apothecary Products, LLC.

APS - Advanced Pharmacy Solutions

ARL Bio Pharma

ARxIUM

Asembia

Aspen RxHealth AssistRx

Associates of Cape Cod, Inc

AssureCare LLC

Asteres Inc.

Atlas Health

Avel eCare

Aventi Health

Avery Weigh-Tronix

AvKARE, LLC

Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Azzur Group

BB Medical Systems

B. Braun Medical Inc.

BA Sciences

Baxter

BD

Berkshire Corporation

Berry Global Inc.

BestRx

BetterRx

Beutlich Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Biolife Solutions Inc.

Blue Thunder Technologies Inc.

Bluesight

BluPax Pharma

Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC)

Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)

Bonita Pharmaceuticals

Bureau Veritas

Buy-Sellapharmacy.com

CCAM Commerce Solutions / Celerant Technology

Capital Inventory, Inc

Capital Wholesale Drug Company

Capsa Healthcare

CaptureRx

Cardinal Health

Care Services, LLC.

CarepathRx

CarePoint

Carter Health

CEImpact

Cencora / American Health Packaging

Cencora / AmerisourceBergen

Centor

Central Admixture Pharmacy Services, Inc. (CAPS)

Cervey

Change Healthcare

Charles River Laboratories

ChemoGLO

CINTAS Corporation

Cipla, Inc.

Civica

Clean Harbors, Inc.

Cleanetics

Clearway Health

Cloudmed

Codonics

Cold Chain Technologies

ComCo Systems

CompleteRx

ConsortiEX Inc.

Containment Technologies Group, Inc.

Contec, Inc.

CORE Higher Education Group

CORMED

COSHATT

CoverMyMeds (McKesson Corporation)

CPESN USA, LLC

CPS Solutions, LLC

CriticalPoint, LLC

Crocus Medical Inc.

CuraScriptSD

Cypress Software, Inc.

DD2 Solutions

Datarithm

Datascan Pharmacy, Inc.

Dexcom, Inc.

Dickson

Digital Business Solutions, Inc.

DisposeRx, Inc.

DiversifyRx

DoseMe

DosePacker, Inc.

DosePlanner

Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

DrFirst

DRX SOFTWARE LLC

Dycem Ltd

EEagle Analytical Services

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Ecolab

ECRM

Elsevier

Emporos

EnlivenHealth

EPIC Rx

Epic Systems Corporation

Epicor Software Corporation

epocrates / Athenahealth

EQUASHIELD

Esco

Euclid Medical Products

Eurofins Analytics

EveryDose

Everyware

EzriRx

EZSCRIPTRx

FFagron

FFF Enterprises, Inc.

FG Clean Wipes

First Databank, Inc.

First Financial Bank

Flash Returns, LLC

FLAVORx

Flexible Pharmacy Services, PLLC

Flowsell

Follett Healthcare

Franklin Eyewear

Fresenius Kabi Group

Frier Levitt

GGenetco Inc.

GeriMed, Inc.

Germfree

Grifols

HH+H System, Inc.

Hardy Diagnostics

Hayslip Pharmacy Brokers Inc.

HealNow

Health Care Logistics, Inc.

Health Connect Partners, Inc.

HealthTrust

HelioMetrics

Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA)

Hikma Pharmaceuticals

Hudson Headwaters 340B

IiA

ICU Medical

iLocalBox

Imprivata / FairWarning

IND Consulting

Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)

InfiniTrak, LLC

Infinity Laboratories

InfoWerks

Inmar Inc.

Innova Medical Group Inc.

Innovatix, LLC

Inovalon

InsightRX, Inc.

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)

InstyMeds

Integrated Medical Systems, Inc. (IMS)

Integrity Pharmacy Consultants

Intelliguard / MEPS Real-Time, Inc.

Interlink AI, Inc.

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC)

International Medical Industries

ISO-MED, Inc.

IsoTech Design

JJackson Pharmacy Professionals

Jays Company

JFCRx

Jones Healthcare Group K

Keycentrix, LLC

KeySource

Keystone Folding Box Co.

KNAPP

L

Labconco

Lakeland Industries, Inc.

Legacy Pharmacy Group

Leiters Health

Liberty Software

Liebherr

LifeFile

Lincoln Savings Bank

Live Oak Bank

Loopback Analytics

LSPediA, Inc.

Lumistry

Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc.

MMacro Helix (McKesson Corporation)

Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA)

Manchac Technologies

Masters Pharmaceutical

MatchRX

Maximum Rx Credit, Inc.

Maxor National Pharmacy Services, LLC

Maxpert Medical

MaxQ

McKesson Corporation

Medi-Dose, Inc./EPS, Inc.

Medical Information Technology, Inc.

Medical Packaging Inc., LLC

Medicine-On-Time, LLC

Medility Inc.

Medisca Inc.

Medivant Healthcare

MediZap

MedSafety Solutions

MedShorts

Medtel Communications

MedXL Inc.

Merative

Mesmerize

Micro Merchant Systems, Inc.

MIDAS Healthcare Solutions

Mideast Delivery Solutions

Migali Scientific

Mobile MediClaim, Inc.

Modern Designs, Inc.

Moderna, Inc.

Modular Cleanrooms, Inc.

Modular Devices

Modular Pharmacy Solutions, LLC

Moog, Inc.

Morris & Dickson

NN3PR

NarcX

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)

National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)

National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)

National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP)

National Home Infusion Association (NHIA)

National Pharmaceutical Returns, Inc.

National Pharmacy Purchasing Association (NPPA)

National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA)

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Net-Rx (an MHA Solution)

Nimble

Noritsu Pharmacy Automation

NuAire, Inc.

Nuvem

OOmega Pharmacy Group

Omnicell

OmniSYS (XiFin Pharmacy Solutions)

Onset Computer Corporation / InTemp

Oracle Health / Cerner

OrderInsite, LLC

OurPharma LLC

Outcomes

Owen Mumford

PP&C Pharma

PAAS National LLC

Paladin Data Corporation

Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Paragon Ventures

Parasol Medical, LLC

Parata Systems (BD)

ParcelShield

PCCA

PDM Healthcare

PDR / ConnectiveRx

Pentapack

PEPID, LLC

Perfex Corporation

Pevco

phactMI

Pharma Logistics, LLC

Pharma Source Direct

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company

PharmaComplete

Pharmacy Automation Supplies

Pharmacy Brokers

Pharmacy Consulting Broker Services

Pharmacy First

Pharmacy Podcast Network

Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA)

Pharmacy Quality Solutions (PQS)

Pharmacy Stars, LLC

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

Pharmacy Times (MJH Life Sciences)

Pharmacy-Lite Packaging

PharmaForce

PharmaLink Inc.

PharmaPoint, LLC

Pharmathek

PharmCon

PharmEcology

Pharmetric Laboratory

PharmID, Inc.

Pharmpilot

Pharmsource, LLC

PharmWaste Technologies, Inc.

PHC Corporation of North America

Pine Pharmaceuticals

PipelineRx

PK Telehealth (TCE Group)

Plenful

PointClickCare

Powerpak (Postgraduate Healthcare Education)

PreciseRX

Precision Dose, Inc.

Premier

Prescryptive Health, Inc.

Primex Inc.

Prompt Praxis Laboratories

ProPharma Cleanrooms

Protenus, Inc.

ProxsysRx

PRS Pharmacy Services

Prudential Cleanroom Services

Pure Microbiology, LLC

Pyrls (Cosmas Health, Inc)

QQ.I. Medical Inc

QleanAir Scandinavia AB

QRx Solutions

QuicksortRx, Inc.

QuidelOrtho Corporation

QuVa Pharma

RR.C. Smith

R.J. Hedges & Associates

R&S Northeast LLC

RD Plastics Company, Inc.

Real Value Rx

Recovered Health

Redsail Technologies, LLC

Rees Scientific

Relay Robotics, Inc.

Retail Designs Inc.

Retail Management Solutions, LLC

Return Solutions, Inc.

Revelation Pharma

Robotik Technology

Roemer Industries

RPh on the Go

Rx Advisors

RX Destroyer

Rx relief

Rx Return Services, LLC.

Rx Reverse Distributors, Inc.

Rx Systems, Inc.

RxConnexion

RxDispense

RXinnovate Consulting

RXinsider

RxLive, Inc.

RxOwnership (McKesson Corporation)

RxPreferred

RxRise

RxSafe, LLC.

RxScan

RXshelving.com (Surplus Equipment Company)

RxStrategies, Inc.

SSafeChain Solutions, LLC

Safecor Health

Samson Medical Technologies, LLC

Sanford Guide

SCA Pharma

ScriptPro LLC

SDS Rx

SensoScientific, Inc.

Shamrock Labels

Sharps Medical Waste Services

Shepard Medical Products

Shields Health Solutions

SKY Packaging (McKesson Corporation)

Skyline Pharmaceuticals

SmartCells (SATECH, Inc.)

SmartSense (Digi International)

Smith Drug Company

So-Low Environmental Equipment Co.

SoftWriters, Inc

Soliant Health

Source Communications LLP

South Pointe Wholesale, Inc.

SpecializedRx Products, LLC

Specialty Medical Staffing

Spectrum Pharmacy Products

Speed Script

SpendMend

SpotSee

SRS Pharmacy Systems STACK, LLC

STAQ Pharma, Inc.

Stäubli

STChealth

Stericycle, Inc.

Stratix Labs Corporation

SuiteRx, LLC

Suncrest Solutions

SUNRx

Supplylogix (McKesson Corporation) SureCost, LLC

Surescripts

Swisslog Healthcare

Sykes & Company, P.A.

TTabula Rasa HealthCare

TEAM Technologies, Inc.

Teknipure

TelNet-Rx

Tension Packaging & Automation

Terso Solutions, Inc.

Texwipe (ITW)

The Baker Company

The Compliance Team, Inc.

The Craneware Group

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy

The Relief Products

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

ThoroughCare, Inc.

TICKERWORKS

TopRx, LLC

Total Pharmacy Supply, Inc.

Total-Shield PLUS (McGowan Industries, Inc.)

TouchPoint Medical

TraceLink, Inc.

TrackTraceRx, Inc.

Trane Technologies

TransferMyRx

Travis CleanAir, Inc.

TRC Healthcare

Trilogy MedWaste, Inc.

TruMed Systems, Inc.

Turbare Manufacturing

U

U.S. Micro-Solutions, Inc.

Unidoses

United Pharmacy Network (UPN)

UNITED Staffing Network, Inc.

United States Pharmacopeia (USP)

UNIWEB, Inc. V

Value Drug Company

Veltek Associates, Inc.

Veracity Group, Inc.

Veridikal

Verity Solutions

VigiLanz Corporation

Vileda Professional

VIP Pharmacy Systems

Virtue Technologies Visante

VIVID (Scientific Industries, Inc.)

Vizient, Inc.

VMI Care

VPL, Inc. W

WeInfuse, LLC

Well-Served Pharmacy Community (WSPC)

Wellgistics

Wellpartner

Wells Pharma

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

Winfield Laboratories Inc

Wolters Kluwer

Workflow Services

WorkingBuildings Y

Yardi Systems, Inc.

Yukon Medical, LLC

Yuyama Usa, Inc. Z

Zebra Technologies Corp.

#

340B Health

340BDirect | Procuity

WHAT WE DO FOR PHARMACY

SUPPORT WITH LTC SET UP (NPI, GPO) SUPPORT WITH LTC SET UP (NPI, GPO)

CERTIFY PHARMACY CERTIFY PHARMACY

CERTIFY PHARMACIST CHAMPION CERTIFY PHARMACIST CHAMPION

CERTIFY TECHNICIAN CHAMPION

CERTIFY TECHNICIAN CHAMPION

EDUCATE EDUCATE

BEST PRACTICES BEST PRACTICES

SUPPORT COMPLIANCE SUPPORT COMPLIANCE BUSINESS GROWTH RESOURCES BUSINESS GROWTH RESOURCES

President: Lindsay Dymowski Constantino

Founded: 2023

Employees: 11

Email: hello@ltcah.com

Website: www.ltcah.com

LTC@H Pharmacy Network is The Resource for Long-Term Care at Home Practice

Whether you are looking for patient identification tools, billing procedures, compliance documentation, or valuable insights into best practices and marketing support, LTC@Home is here to provide support to the entire long-term care at home sector.

Company Background & History

Long Term Care at Home Pharmacy (LTC@H) network was conceived to fill a significant void in the market, offering education, support, and guidance tailored specifically to the long-term care at home sector. Through the seamless integration of The Centennial Group’s understanding of the long-term care at home pharmacy market and the multidisciplinary pharmacy experience of the PharmaComplete Team, a powerful synergy was formed that empowers LTC@H|Pharmacy Network to advance the long-term care at home sector, while equipping members with the tools they need to thrive.

We are deeply committed to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and creating impactful change within the pharmacy industry. With our unwavering dedication and 150+ years of combined expertise, we are poised to lead the way in enhancing patient care, expanding opportunities, and shaping the future of long-term care at home.

Product Overview

Embarking on long-term care at home can feel daunting, which is why we’ve designed accessible resources to simplify managing your LTC@ Home pharmacy. Our comprehensive portal facilitates everything from initial setup with combo-shop and acquiring NPIs to compliance tools, identification guides, CE education, and marketing support, ensuring you’re equipped to deliver top-tier LTC@Home care.

Recognizing the importance of documentation and collaboration in long-term care at home, we offer educational resources, identification guides, attestation forms, and other essential tools to support your pharmacy’s compliance with payer and regulatory standards.

Remaining abreast of developments in the pharmacy industry is paramount, particularly in long-term care at home. Our members receive regular updates, and membership grants you access to weekly lunchand-learns, ongoing educational materials, and exclusive partnerships aimed at bolstering your pharmacy’s revenue and capabilities.

Features & Options

• Comprehensive Portal Access: Gain entry to a user-friendly portal offering a wide array of resources tailored to managing LTC@Home pharmacies effectively.

• Initial Setup Assistance: Step-by-step guidance for setting up your pharmacy, including assistance with combo-shop initiation and obtaining necessary National Provider Identifiers (NPIs).

• Compliance Tools: Access to tools and resources designed to ensure compliance with payer and regulatory guidelines, simplifying the process of meeting industry standards.

• Identification Guides: Detailed guides to aid in the identification of various medications, facilitating accurate dispensing and patient care.

• Continuing Education (CE): Engage in CE education opportunities specifically geared towards LTC@Home pharmacists, ensuring ongoing professional development and competency.

• Marketing Support: Tools and resources to help promote your LTC@Home pharmacy services effectively within the community and among potential clients.

• Documentation Assistance: Templates and guidance for essential documentation requirements, streamlining the process of maintaining accurate records.

• Collaborative Tools: Resources to facilitate collaboration with healthcare professionals involved in the long-term care of patients at home.

• Regular Updates: Stay informed about industry developments and best practices through regular updates and access to the latest information relevant to LTC@Home pharmacy services.

• Exclusive Partnerships: Benefit from exclusive partnerships aimed at providing additional support and resources to enhance the capabilities of your pharmacy network.

• Weekly Lunch-and-Learns: Participate in weekly educational sessions to stay current with industry trends, best practices, and innovations in LTC@Home pharmacy care.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals in the LTC@Home Pharmacy network to share insights, experiences, and strategies for success.

• 24/7 Access: Enjoy round-the-clock access to resources and support, ensuring that assistance is available whenever it’s needed.

Markets Served

• Independent Community Pharmacies

• Long-Term Care Pharmacies

• Payers

• Plans

Specialty Pharmacy Outlook 2024

Contributed by: Sheila M. Arquette, RPh President & CEO, National Association of Specialty Pharmacy

Specialty pharmacy continues to be dynamic, demanding, and disruptive.

As the market continues to demand specialization in drug distribution and clinical management of complex patients and therapies, specialty pharmacy continues to evolve. Keeping pace with scientific discovery and medical innovation is relentless and challenges all providers along the care continuum to find new ways to support specialty patients and control costs.

Specialty pharmacies connect patients diagnosed with life altering and often life-threatening complex health conditions with the medications prescribed for their conditions. The expert services that specialty pharmacies provide drive adherence, proper management of medication dosing and side effects, and ensure safe and appropriate medication use. Specialty pharmacy’s patientcentric model is designed to provide a comprehensive and coordinated model of care ensuring patients achieve superior clinical and economic outcomes while expediting their access to care. Specialty pharmacy is defined not by the site of care but the model of care and the type of patient management and care coordination services it provides.

2024 key trends, challenges, and opportunities to watch include:

Pipeline

Specialty, niche, and orphan disease drugs comprise the largest proportion of new medicines launched in the past decade. Specialty medicines account for

around 75% of the approximately 7,000 new drugs under development.

This tremendous growth presents us with incredible benefits but also some compelling challenges. Specialty pharmacy delivers significant value as an integral member of the patient’s healthcare delivery team. Medication access and affordability issues compounded by our aging population and an increased number of specialty drugs being approved for conditions traditionally treated with small molecule therapies, signal the specialty market will remain strong; but the stakes are high, not only for those inside the specialty arena, but for all of us.

Drug Shortages

Over the past five-and-a-half years, an average of more than 25 new molecule shortages have occurred each year, with 160 in total added through June of 2023 and only 51 resolved. Oncology has experienced a growing number of shortages since 2020, with four new molecule shortages between March and June 2023 alone.

Drug shortage associated treatment delays, therapy interruptions, clinical complications, suboptimal treatment and adverse drug reactions coupled with increased medication costs and patient financial toxicity can all negatively impact patient outcomes.

As trusted medication experts, specialty pharmacists serve as critical interdisciplinary team members working

collaboratively to identify and approve alternative therapeutic regimens to address drug shortages, mitigate their impact and promote optimal, clinical, and cost-effective outcomes.

Cell and Gene Therapies

Today, there are 27 FDA-approved cell and gene therapies in the United States, with more than 2,000 therapies in development worldwide. Just as the biologic landscape has evolved over the last decade, so too will gene therapy. Recent research suggests that the number of gene therapies on the market is likely to increase to over 60 by 2030, and today’s $5.2 billion gene therapy market is estimated to grow tenfold by 2031.

Specialty pharmacy has the unique opportunity to demonstrate and define how their white glove, patient centric model of care can contribute to the optimal management of these patients.

Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes several provisions to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and reduce the federal government’s drug spending. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the drug pricing provisions in the law will reduce the federal deficit by $237 billion over 10 years (2022-2031). Will restructuring the Medicare Part D standard benefit and the $2,000 beneficiary out-of-pocket limit reduce affordability-related non-adherence and

increase overall utilization of specialty drug therapies? Will Part D Plans increase the use of prior authorization, step therapy, and other utilization management tools to try to control drug spending? Only time will tell.

DSCSA

The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requires manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies required to track, trace, and verify down to the unit level every prescription product they handle and maintain records of such for a minimum of six years. Could the serialized data being created and shared as a part of DSCSA legislation be an opportunity for specialty pharmacy to capitalize and commercialize this data to provide new value to upstream stakeholders? With the enforcement of certain Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requirements delayed until November 27, 2024, now is the perfect time for all specialty pharmacy stakeholders to engage in the discussion.

Biosimilars

Biosimilar adoption is key to delivering on the promise of reduced health care costs. An estimated $21 billion in savings to healthcare systems over the past six years has been attributed to biosimilar competition with savings over the next five years projected to exceed $100 billion. In the U.S., there are 40 FDA-approved biosimilars across 15 reference biologic products. Specialty pharmacists continue to lead educational efforts to help increase confidence and improve uptake of biosimilars across the health care continuum, with the realization of significant savings that can be directed to newer and innovative therapies.

Rare and Orphan Drugs

These products are no longer niche. The orphan drug market is growing over twice as fast as the traditional drug market. By 2026, orphan drug therapies will be 20% of all prescription drug sales, and almost a third of the global drug pipeline’s value.

While these treatments represent new and

potentially life-saving options for patients, they can be extremely expensive and require the high touch, white glove level of service, intensive patient management, and care coordination that only specialty pharmacy can provide.

Artificial Intelligence

Emerging and evolving technologies are driving exponential change in the delivery of specialty pharmacy care. By helping to streamline pharmacy processes and automate labor intensive tasks, artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize medication management and clinical decision making, promote the delivery of personalized therapeutic regimens, enhance clinical and cost-effective outcomes, and increase operational efficiencies and patient satisfaction. Specialty pharmacies continue to invest heavily in technology to better engage patients, decrease total cost of care and enhance patient satisfaction while complying with all laws designed to protect patient privacy and safety.

Federal and State Legislation and Regulations

The new year brings both promise and challenge for specialty pharmacy as the community braces for the official implementation of the Medicare Part D rule that revised the definition of negotiated price and pharmacy price concessions and moved all price concessions to the point of sale to reduce beneficiary cost sharing. NASP spent 2023 diligently working to advance legislative reforms to protect pharmacy from unreasonable reimbursement rates and to establish protections for pharmacy reimbursement, allow for pharmacy appeals of terms against these protections, and standardize and oversee pharmacy performance measures, among other reforms. In 2024, specialty pharmacy needs to be persistent and vocal, focusing efforts to continue improving lawmaker awareness of the important role specialty pharmacy plays in the management of some of our most vulnerable patients and helping more Members of Congress feel

connected to specialty pharmacies that serve constituents in their districts and states to ensure its priorities are addressed before Congressional policymaking is taken over by 2024 election year politics. Scientific innovation and medical advancements allow us to live longer, healthier lives but the ethical and financial challenges caused by access and affordability issues necessitate crucial conversations about how healthcare is delivered. It is critical that all specialty pharmacy industry stakeholders continue to work collaboratively to embrace challenges that become opportunities, and opportunities that become solutions, all designed to advance and enhance patient care.

The future of specialty pharmacy is a future we all share. From our perspective, there is so much to look forward to.

ABOUT NASP

The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade organization and is the only national association representing all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry. The mission of NASP is to elevate the practice of specialty pharmacy by developing and promoting continuing professional education and certification of specialty pharmacists while advocating for public policies that ensure patients have appropriate access to specialty medications in tandem with critical services. The association provides an online education center offering accredited continuing pharmacy education programs, hosts an Annual Meeting & Expo that offers educational sessions and continuing education credits, and is the only organization that offers a certification program for specialty pharmacists. NASP members include the nation’s leading specialty pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, group purchasing organizations, patient advocacy groups, integrated delivery systems and health plans, technology and data management vendors, wholesalers/ distributors, logistics providers and practicing pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals.

President & CEO: Al Underwood

Founded: 1975

Toll-Free Phone: (877) 766-0321

Toll-Free Fax: (877) 766-9542

Color Coded Sun and Reading Glasses Program

by Franklin Eyewear®

Reading

This makes it easy to keep your displays organized and makes re-ordering simple!

Address: 260 Christopher Cove Ridgeland, MS 39157

Website: www.franklineyewear.com

Company Background

Franklin Eyewear evolved as Al Underwood drove from drugstore to drugstore in his home state of Mississippi in the early 1980s. Al had developed a sunglasses program that he started selling to convenience stores in 1975, and soon after, he added independent pharmacies due to the need for a reading glasses program.

Al added reading glasses in 1985, naming his line after Ben Franklin, who invented bifocals. After the advent of the baby boomers into reading glasses consumers, it was no longer just about function as fashion became a driving force for the forever young crowd buying them.

Product Overview

Franklin Eyewear displays are merchandised by strength, so the consumer can turn to the panel with their strength, and see a selection of frame styles and colors. Each panel has a color coded label designating the strength. The glasses price tags are color coded to match! The $9.99 retail price opens the door to multiple sales as people have a hard time picking just one, and they want to keep them in many places for easy access.

In addition to reading glasses, Franklin Eyewear offers a corresponding sunglasses program, color coded by category — sports, trendy, and fashion all at $9.99 retail. Also included in the sunglasses program for $9.99 are polarized sunglasses and sun-bifocals. Sunglasses with bifocals make it easy to read your smartphone in the sunlight.

Franklin Eyewear’s easy-to-maintain color coded program with quality and style at reasonable retails and a 50% margin, makes you competitive in today’s market and keeps your customers coming back for more.

Testimonials

“I was convinced no one would buy readers or sunglasses from an independent pharmacy when so many other places carry them. Boy was I wrong. I first carried Franklin Readers and they flew off the rack. I have people that come just for the trendy, good quality, reading glasses we sell. So I decided to try carrying the sunglasses as well. These have also been a great seller and a convenience for people.”

— Jennifer Palazzolo, Flatiron Pharmacy, Longmont, CO

“Our customers resoundingly say ‘great price, great style, and great products!’ We have fortunately noticed repeat business from these customers who are referring others to our pharmacy for your product. CVS is right across the street from our location and charges over $20 for glasses that are inferior and unattractive. We are now proud and happy to carry Franklin Eyewear in our community pharmacy.”

— Francis DiMarco, Pharm.D., Wilmont Pharmacy & Surgicals, Scarsdale, NY

“Franklin Eyewear has been a great addition to our front store. Customers love the quality and price of the eyeglasses and Al is extremely knowledgeable and will get you everything you need to start selling glasses. From counter displays to full floor models, they have everything you need. It’s always nice to walk by Franklin Eyewear at a trade show or conference because Al always remembers his customers and makes a point to say hello. We highly recommend Franklin Eyewear, I wish all our vendors were this great!”

—

Alex Doyle, Conley’s Drug Store, Ipswich, MA

Ordering Information

Order online at www.franklineyewear.com or call (877) 766-0321.

Friends help friends. At EzriRx we work with you, not against you.

President & CEO: Ezriel Green

Founded: 2017

Employees: 25+

Phone: (718) 502-6610

Fax: (718) 414-1474

Address: 2360 Route 9 Suite 3 #171 Toms River, NJ 08755

Website: EzriRx.com

EzriRx Connects 30+ NABPAccredited Wholesalers With 1,000’s of Pharmacies in the US

EzriRx is a technology-friendly and advanced marketplace that makes it incredibly easy for pharmacies to shop and save on brands, generics, OTC, HBA, pet meds, and more on a single easy-to-use platform. The time wasted dealing with reps adds up to real dollars. EzriRx is simple. EzriRx is free.

Company Background & History

EzriRx was built with a mission to bring the latest available e-commerce technology to U.S. pharmacies. Our goal was to lower the cost of goods by providing the easiest-to-use, bestdesigned, and most advanced marketplace solution to date. While pharmacies have a fundamental responsibility to patients, we wanted to eliminate their purchasing pains. We created the algorithm to get the best price so they can forget about their GCR, ratios, and minimums and continue focusing on their patient.

Product Overview

We began by contracting with 30+ NABP-accredited wholesalers and added 60,000 unique items. We created a two-minute signup process and eliminated all the paperwork needed to apply and open new accounts with wholesalers. We then added the ability to pay wholesalers (through the platform) via ACH, credit cards, terms, and statements and manage all invoices in a central location. We added the ability to make offers on every product and created an easy, free solution for audits. We built a mobile website to search and buy on the go, and allow pharmacies to connect to their pharmacy software provider for easy inventory management. We even keep records of all the DSCSA files and do so much more!

For pharmacies in select states, we offer a pharmacy-to-pharmacy solution to get rid of excess inventory, and for pharmacies with an awaiting patient to buy products from another pharmacy at a deep discount. We think win-win.

Features & Options

• 30+ NABP-accredited wholesalers.

• Two-minute, free sign-up process.

• Electronic applications and e-signature.

• Add a payment method and never share it with wholesalers.

• Make offers on all products.

• Short-dated items.

• Multi-store login.

• Audit help.

• Track DSCSA/T3/pedigree documents.

• Connect your pharmacy software for inventory.

• Rewards on every generic purchase.

• Select primary connections available.

Markets Served

• Independent

• Long-Term Care

• Chain

• Hospital

• Closed Door

Trade Shows/Meetings Attended

• DiversifyRx

• NCPA

HOW SMITH PHARMACY FINDS BETTER PURCHASING OPTIONS AND PASSES THE SAVINGS ALONG TO PATIENTS

Nic Smith Founder and Owner ~ Smith Pharmacy

THE COMPANY: SMITH PHARMACY

Smith Pharmacy is an independent, full-service, family-owned and operated retail pharmacy. Their mission is to provide a low-cost, service-oriented pharmacy to their community. The team takes pride in providing excellent care in a complex healthcare environment. They are dedicated to providing patients with quality service. Patients single out Smith Pharmacy for their trusted guidance with medications while getting the best prices.

We

“needed to

know if the switch was worthwhile, so we did an analysis. It turned out SureCost was saving us over $200,000 a year. And it’s probably closer to $300,000 now.”

Nic Smith Founder and Owner ~ Smith Pharmacy

THE CHALLENGE

The pharmacy purchasing ecosystem is not designed for transparency or ease. The best purchasing options — which account for patient needs, low COGS, primary vendor compliance, rebate potential and other factors — are usually hidden within a mass of data spread across multiple catalogs from a variety of vendors using different interfaces.

Smith Pharmacy experienced this challenge firsthand. As Founder and Owner Nic Smith explained: “We used to get phone calls every day from all these vendors about specials and sales, and we just didn’t have time to sit and compare. And we don’t want to switch manufacturers all the time. We don’t want someone’s mother coming in, getting their medication, and it looks different for the third time in a row.”

Managing up to four secondary wholesalers at once was also labor-intensive for the team. Without an effective solution to compare products, they would rely on manual processes (like physically sorting items on the shelves) to determine which vendor had the best price.

“Even then,” Nic adds, “prices change all the time, so there wasn’t a great way to make sure that was still the best price. And we didn’t have the time to sit back and verify a source price versus a secondary price. Our original process was very labor-intensive, and it wasn’t very accurate!”

CASE STUDY

“It’s a godsend. Honestly, the best thing that we’ve ever done in our pharmacy is setting up SureCost.”

Nic Smith Founder and Owner ~ Smith Pharmacy

HOW SURECOST HELPED

Smith Pharmacy uses an integrated purchasing solution to find the best option for their patients and their business.

THE SOLUTION

SureCost is a unified purchasing and inventory management solution designed for pharmacies to harness insights from their entire vendor and wholesaler catalog. This software empowers pharmacy teams to identify the best purchasing options while ensuring compliance and optimizing workflows. Over 5,000 pharmacy professionals across the country use SureCost every day to save more, stay compliant and work smarter.

Smith Pharmacy now uses SureCost to efficiently expand its purchasing portfolio through multiple secondary vendors in addition to their primary wholesaler. With SureCost, they can easily compare prices and purchasing options. Among other benefits outlined below, using this solution has led to savings for Smith Pharmacy and their patients.

See how much your pharmacy can save with SureCost. Calculate in Seconds. https://info.surecost.com/roi-savings-calculator

THE BENEFITS OF USING SURECOST

Saving Time and Money

SureCost has eliminated the time and labor Smith Pharmacy previously spent just comparing catalogs and fielding vendor offers. “SureCost helped us tremendously streamline our purchasing. You don’t have to go on to the other third party websites to order. You do it all on one platform. And vendors know not to bother calling us because if their pricing is good, it’s going to be reflected in SureCost.”

SureCost’s pricing transparency has significantly lowered the COGS for Smith Pharmacy. They can now quickly identify the best purchasing options. For example, a primary wholesaler might keep the same price on a generic drug while secondaries drop the price. Nic shares how he showed their primary wholesaler a dermatological drug listed at $190 while six other vendors were selling it for just ten dollars.

SureCost identifies overpriced drugs and shows the better option — without you having to keep checking and cross-referencing multiple catalogs. Nic points out how “you can have hundreds of dollars of savings on just one drug.”

Supporting Patients

Smith Pharmacy passes these savings along to their customers. Patients consistently note the low prices at Smith Pharmacy, and Nic says that SureCost is an important part of staying competitive in this area. SureCost also supports Smith Pharmacy in meeting their patients’ health needs by reducing out-of-stocks.

As Nic explains, that means patients get the medications they need: “If a vendor doesn’t have that drug, we can look and find somebody that does. We’re a large-volume store.

CASE STUDY

“Basically, the savings from SureCost allow us to have another two pharmacists on staff. It more than pays for itself.”

We do over 1,500 prescriptions a day, and we get a lot of unusual requests. A patient may have an infection and need that medicine today. If it wasn’t for SureCost, I’d have to log in to ten different wholesalers, sit there, and look individually at each one to see if they have it.”

Increasing Business Intelligence

Nic and his team rely on SureCost’s flexible reporting to enhance several areas of their operations. As just one example, by using the purchase history, when Nic has to return something, he doesn’t have to search through all his vendors to find where he last ordered it. If he notices a drug price trending high, he can also easily look back to see when he got a better price and from which vendor. And SureCost’s flexible reporting allows the pharmacy to ensure compliance with their primary wholesaler, even as they expand their purchasing options.

Achieving Immediate ROI With a Reliable Partner

Smith Pharmacy began seeing ROI with SureCost within a week of implementation. Nic points out that it took two weeks to configure SureCost with his catalog of vendors, internal systems and processes. Nic and his team worked closely with SureCost’s team, whom he found “very responsive, and we bothered them a lot!”

On average, pharmacies save MORE THAN 2-5%

Nick Smith Founder and Owner ~ Smith Pharmacy on the cost of goods annually using SureCost.

In terms of how much SureCost has saved Smith Pharmacy, Nic has already done the math: “About three years ago, we were debating switching to a different buying group. It had better pricing than our current group but was more rigid in allowing us to buy outside. We needed to know if the switch was worthwhile, so we did an analysis. It turned out SureCost was saving us over $200,000 a year. And it’s probably closer to $300,000 now.”

Join over 5,000 pharmacy professionals across the country who use SureCost every day to save more, stay compliant and work smarter.

Book a Purchase Manager™ demo today to learn more about what smarter purchasing can do for your pharmacy.

https://info.surecost.com/talk-to-a-purchasing-and-inventory-expert?utm_ campaign=RX%20Insider&utm_source=RX%20Insider%20Case%20Study%20Print%20 Ad&utm_medium=Smith%20Pharmacy

to Keep Pace?

Let’s team up to accelerate innovation.

PharmacyCase Studies

Behind Every Good Pharmacist ... is a Great Resource

Take an in-depth look at specific products and services that help pharmacies improve patient care, profitability, and cost containment. Available in our digital library and within each issue of 20Ways.

BD NanoTM 2nd Gen Pen Needles help patients deliver their insulin correctly

NDC: 08290-3205-50

BD Nano™ 2nd Gen Pen Needles have a unique contoured base to help compensate for too much injection force, a common challenge for patients injecting insulin.1*

Conventional 4mm pen needle

BD Nano TM 2nd Gen Pen Needle

BD Nano™ 2nd Gen Pen Needles are estimated to reduce intramuscular injection risk by 2-8x vs 4mm posted base pen needles.2†

Intramuscular injections have been shown to lead to increased pain and greater risk of hypoglycemia. 3

Consider dispensing BD Nano™ 2nd Gen Pen Needles.

needle base.

go.embecta.com/pharmacypartner

*N=230 patients with diabetes across Canada. Participants answered a survey as part of the cross-sectional observational behavioral study. BD helped fund this study. †The study used in-silico probability model of needle penetration depth for posted-hub 4mm pen needles and average human tissue thickness measurements across a range of injection forces and recommended sites, pooled across gender and BMI.

1. Bari B, Corbeil MA, Farooqui H, et al. Insulin injection practices in a population of Canadians with diabetes: an observational study. Diabetes Ther. 2020;11(11):2595-2609. 2. Rini C, Roberts BC, Morel D, et al. Evaluating the impact of human factors and pen needle design on insulin pen injection. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2019;13(3):533-545. 3. Frid AH, Kreugel G, Grassi G, et al. New insulin delivery recommendations. Mayo Clin Proc. 2016;91(9):1231-1255. embecta, formerly part of BD. BD is the manufacturer of the advertised products. embecta and the embecta logo are trademarks of Embecta Corp. BD and the BD Logo are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Embecta Corp. All rights reserved. 2305585393PRXI