Part Two of the PBM Reform Podcast Series features an interview with Monique Whitney, the Excutive Director of Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT). 

Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT) is a non-profit advocacy organization founded by independent pharmacists and pharmacy owners devoted to exposing the truth about the anti-competitive tactics of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). Known to most Americans as their "prescription drug benefit plan" provider, PBMs are in reality a $300 billion industry - giant corporate middlemen driving up the cost of medications with huge mark ups and commissions on every prescription covered under their "benefits plan." 
​
Working with local and national traditional and digital media that includes The New York Times, USA Today, CBS News, Bloomberg, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and Business Insider, PUTT seeks to educate patients, lawmakers, health plan sponsors and the public about the deeply negative effects of the PBM industry on U.S. healthcare and the escalating price of prescription medications.

PUTT serves as an industry watchdog, collecting evidence of PBM fraudulent practices and abuse and using this information to educate and inform consumers, taxpayers, employers and health plan sponsors of the truth about the unregulated, unmonitored PBM industry. Through PUTT's efforts, PBMs have begun to experience greater public awareness and scrutiny of their actions and come under fire for questionable practices including the use of gag clauses at the pharmacy counter, gross over-billing of health plans (called "spread pricing"), forcing patients to use PBM-owned pharmacies instead of allowing patients to choose their own pharmacies and interjecting unnecessary bureaucratic practices such as prior authorizations between patients and their doctors in the matter of prescription refills.

Monique Whitney

Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency

Monique@TruthRx.org 

m. (505) 480-4150

Part Two of the PBM Reform Podcast Series features an interview with Monique Whitney, the Excutive Director of Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT).&nbsp;
Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT) is a non-profit advocacy organization founded by independent pharmacists and pharmacy owners devoted to exposing the truth about the anti-competitive tactics of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs).&nbsp;Known to most Americans as their "prescription drug benefit plan" provider, PBMs are in reality a $300 billion industry - giant corporate middlemen driving up the cost of medications with huge mark ups and commissions on every prescription covered under their "benefits plan."&nbsp; ​ Working with local and national traditional and digital media that includes&nbsp;The New York Times,&nbsp;USA Today,&nbsp;CBS News,&nbsp;Bloomberg,&nbsp;NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt&nbsp;and&nbsp;Business Insider, PUTT seeks to educate patients, lawmakers, health plan sponsors and the public about the deeply negative effects of the PBM industry on U.S. healthcare and the escalating price of prescription medications. PUTT serves as an industry watchdog, collecting evidence of PBM fraudulent practices and abuse and using this information to educate and inform consumers, taxpayers, employers and health plan sponsors of the truth about the unregulated, unmonitored PBM industry. Through PUTT's efforts, PBMs have begun to experience greater public awareness and scrutiny of their actions and come under fire for questionable practices including the use of gag clauses at the pharmacy counter, gross over-billing of health plans (called "spread pricing"), forcing patients to use PBM-owned pharmacies instead of allowing patients to choose their own pharmacies and interjecting unnecessary bureaucratic practices such as prior authorizations between patients and their doctors in the matter of prescription refills.
Monique Whitney
Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency
<a href="mailto:Monique@TruthRx.org">Monique@TruthRx.org </a>
m. (505) 480-4150

In March of 2009, Todd S. Eury, launched the Pharmacy Podcast Show. Over the years, the Pharmacy Podcast has accumulated over 75,000+ listeners and subscribers and is the most popular and downloaded podcast about the Pharmacy Industry.

The Pharmacy Podcast Show transformed into the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN) in 2014 and will continue to collect the thought leading interviews with some of the most brilliant minds in Pharmacy with over 30 co-hosts. The PPN is a Digital Health Publication and Content Developing partner to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Specialty medications, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.

The PPN is the world's largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy professional and industry insiders leading with our hosts interviewing dynamic people in the pharmacy industry making a difference for our profession, customers, and patients.

The definition of “Innovation” is: A new method, idea, product, or process. Processing, implementing, operating, or designing beyond the status-quo. Pharmacists are the HUB of Healthcare & the PPN is the Pharmacist's biggest fan. 

In March of 2009, Todd S. Eury, launched the Pharmacy Podcast Show. Over the years, the Pharmacy Podcast has accumulated over 75,000+ listeners and subscribers and is the most popular and downloaded podcast about the Pharmacy Industry.
The Pharmacy Podcast Show transformed into the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN) in 2014 and will continue to collect the thought leading interviews with some of the most brilliant minds in Pharmacy with over 30 co-hosts. The PPN is a Digital Health Publication and Content Developing partner to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Specialty medications, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.
The PPN is the world's largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy professional and industry insiders leading with our hosts interviewing dynamic people in the pharmacy industry making a difference for our profession, customers, and patients.
The definition of &ldquo;Innovation&rdquo; is: A new method, idea, product, or process. Processing, implementing, operating, or designing beyond the status-quo. Pharmacists are the HUB of Healthcare &amp; the PPN is the Pharmacist's biggest fan.&nbsp;

Pharmacy Podcast Network

Pharmacy benefit managers were created as middlemen to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate a patient’s eligibility, administer plan benefits, and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. Over time, PBMs have been allowed to operate virtually unchecked. A lack of transparency in PBM practices has led several states to implement licensure/registration, fair pharmacy audit, or generic drug pricing legislation to try to level the playing field for pharmacies and patients. 

by the NCPA https://www.ncpanet.org/advocacy/state-advocacy/pbm-reform 

This Podcast Series is focusing on discussions & interviews about PBM Reform & those "Business of Pharmacy" professionals leading this much needed reform. 

Pharmacy benefit managers were created as middlemen to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate a patient&rsquo;s eligibility, administer plan benefits, and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. Over time, PBMs have been allowed to operate virtually unchecked. A lack of transparency in PBM practices has led several states to implement licensure/registration, fair pharmacy audit, or generic drug pricing legislation to try to level the playing field for pharmacies and patients.&nbsp;
by the NCPA <a href="https://www.ncpanet.org/advocacy/state-advocacy/pbm-reform">https://www.ncpanet.org/advocacy/state-advocacy/pbm-reform</a>&nbsp;
This Podcast Series is focusing on discussions &amp; interviews about PBM Reform &amp; those "Business of Pharmacy" professionals leading this much needed reform.&nbsp;

PBM Reform Podcast Series

Policy development, politics, & government issues are a major part of healthcare. PolitiTalkRx is a podcast all about the politics that shape pharmacy policies within our healthcare system. 

Contact us to participate in this publication part of the leading podcast network dedicated to the "Business of Pharmacy" -- the Pharmacy Podcast Network. 

Policy development, politics, &amp; government issues are a major part of healthcare. PolitiTalkRx is a podcast all about the politics that shape pharmacy policies within our healthcare system.&nbsp;
Contact us to participate in this publication part of the leading podcast network dedicated to the "Business of Pharmacy" -- the Pharmacy Podcast Network.&nbsp;

PolitiTalkRx

The Pharmacy Podcast Network is ranked as the number one podcast in healthcare dedicated to the Business of Pharmacy and TOP 25 Podcasts in U.S. Business News. The most influential voices in the pharmacy industry are published on the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN). The PPN is the leading audio authority of the pharmaceutical & pharmacy industry with more than 30 hosts, 1,200+ episodes, supporting more than 25+ pharmacy industry associations, with more than 80,000 listeners world wide. 

The PPN is an Audio Branding & Public Relations Communications company dedicated to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Community, Long-term care, Health System, Specialty, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends. 

Pharmacy Podcast™ is a registered trademark

The Pharmacy Podcast Network is ranked as the number one podcast in healthcare dedicated to the Business of Pharmacy and TOP 25 Podcasts in U.S. Business News. The most influential voices in the pharmacy industry are published on the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN). The PPN is the leading audio authority of the pharmaceutical &amp; pharmacy industry with more than 30 hosts, 1,200+ episodes, supporting more than 25+ pharmacy industry associations, with more than 80,000 listeners world wide.&nbsp;
The PPN is an Audio Branding &amp; Public Relations Communications company dedicated to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Community, Long-term care, Health System, Specialty, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.&nbsp;
Pharmacy Podcast&trade; is a registered trademark

Pharmacists for Truth Transparency - PBM Reform Series Part Two - PPN Episode 906

Each day, more than 130 people die from opioid overdoses.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers like oxycodone. They also include illegal drugs like heroin. In 2019, 1.6 million Americans had an opioid addiction. This is also known as opioid use disorder. Yet effective medications—like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone—are prescribed to only a fraction of people with opioid use disorder. Patients often receive such medications in an opioid treatment program. Methadone, for example, can only be given in a certified treatment program. Primary care physicians can apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. However, less than 10% of U.S. primary care providers have a buprenorphine waiver. Given the limited number of patients that each physician can treat, involving pharmacists in opioid treatment may improve access.

The Doctor Patient Forum’s Mission Statement is to advocate, educate, and defend the rights of patients, to protect all providers (including prescribers and pharmacists) who tirelessly work to treat their patients, and to bring awareness to the general public regarding restrictions upon medical providers. We are fighting for a return to individualized patient care instead of using guidelines and laws based on little evidence using arbitrary thresholds. Contrary to what has been said, we are not “industry funded.” We haven’t taken any money from pharma. We are not being paid to promote opioids. We are simply chronic pain and illness patients who are fighting as hard as we can to effect change in this broken system where the patient’s voice is non-existent.

For part 4 of the series, we're honored to have Ms. Bev Schechtman. Ms. Schectman is one of the founding members of Don’t Punish Pain Rally and is the VP of The Doctor Patient Forum. She grew up in northern New Jersey, and has lived in the Raleigh area in North Carolina since 2009. Bev has been married to Randy for 18 years, and has two teenage daughters, Emma, 17, and Livvy,13. She also has a 3-year-old Aussidoodle, Griffin.

Bev has been living with Crohn’s Disease and Psoriatic Arthritis for over two decades. She first contacted Claudia Merandi after being denied opioid medication while hospitalized for kidney stones in 2017.She was denied due to being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Bev is a passionate advocate for people with chronic pain and illness as well as those who have PTSD/ survived sexual assault/abuse. Bev has her B.A. in Psychology and hopes to get her M.S.W. in the near future. Bev is a voracious reader and researcher. She is passionate about understanding why pain patients are being mistreated so she can educate other patients and empower them to fight back. Bev hopes her advocacy work brings awareness to the anti-opioid zealots who are profiting off of punishing pain patients while pretending to care about those with addiction. She also believes strongly in Harm Reduction efforts.

Each day, more than 130 people die from opioid overdoses.
Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers like oxycodone. They also include illegal drugs like heroin. In 2019, 1.6 million Americans had an opioid addiction. This is also known as opioid use disorder. Yet effective medications&mdash;like buprenorphine, methadone, and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naltrexone">naltrexone</a>&mdash;are prescribed to only a fraction of people with opioid use disorder. Patients often receive such medications in an opioid treatment program.&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone">Methadone</a>, for example, can only be given in a certified treatment program. Primary care physicians can apply for a waiver to prescribe&nbsp;<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605002.html">buprenorphine</a>. However, less than 10% of U.S. primary care providers have a buprenorphine waiver. Given the limited number of patients that each physician can treat, involving pharmacists in opioid treatment may improve access.
The Doctor Patient Forum&rsquo;s Mission Statement is to advocate, educate, and defend the rights of patients, to protect all providers (including prescribers and pharmacists) who tirelessly work to treat their patients, and to bring awareness to the general public regarding restrictions upon medical providers. We are fighting for a return to individualized patient care instead of using guidelines and laws based on little evidence using arbitrary thresholds. Contrary to what has been said, we are not &ldquo;industry funded.&rdquo; We haven&rsquo;t taken any money from pharma. We are not being paid to promote opioids. We are simply chronic pain and illness patients who are fighting as hard as we can to effect change in this broken system where the patient&rsquo;s voice is non-existent.
For part 4 of the series, we're honored to have Ms. Bev Schechtman. Ms. Schectman is one of the founding members of Don&rsquo;t Punish Pain Rally and is the VP of The Doctor Patient Forum. She grew up in northern New Jersey, and has lived in the Raleigh area in North Carolina since 2009. Bev has been married to Randy for 18 years, and has two teenage daughters, Emma, 17, and Livvy,13. She also has a 3-year-old Aussidoodle, Griffin.
Bev has been living with Crohn&rsquo;s Disease and Psoriatic Arthritis for over two decades. She first contacted Claudia Merandi after being denied opioid medication while hospitalized for kidney stones in 2017.She was denied due to being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Bev is a passionate advocate for people with chronic pain and illness as well as those who have PTSD/ survived sexual assault/abuse. Bev has her B.A. in Psychology and hopes to get her M.S.W. in the near future. Bev is a voracious reader and researcher. She is passionate about understanding why pain patients are being mistreated so she can educate other patients and empower them to fight back. Bev hopes her advocacy work brings awareness to the anti-opioid zealots who are profiting off of punishing pain patients while pretending to care about those with addiction. She also believes strongly in Harm Reduction efforts.

Where's the Patient's Voice in Evidence-based Treatment & Research? | Pharmacist and Physician Opioid Collaborative

Pharmacists Answering the call | Pharmacy Podcast Nation

Ila M. Saunders, PharmD, BCOP, co-founder and leadership team member of the #PharmGradWishList interviews Ja’Miera Stuart, PharmD, #PGWL sponsee and winner of a large item crowdfunding campaign to support moving and relocation expenses to begin her PGY1 pharmacy residency.

Dr. Stuart has been interested in a career in pharmacy since high school when she began pre-pharmacy coursework. As a graduate of Florida A&M University, Dr. Stuart truly embraced the role of the pharmacist as a healthcare practitioner and ambassador. During her involvement in Student National Pharmaceutical Association, Dr. Stuart rallied and amplified the voices of underrepresented minorities. Now, Dr. Stuart began her career and continued her education as a pharmacy resident at Howard University Hospital, serving a pivotal patient population in the DC metro area.

Dr. Stuart is grateful for the generous outpouring of support from the pharmacy community who have and continue to help her achieve her goals and aspirations. She remains passionate about supporting opportunities, like those she has received, to continue diversifying pharmacy and healthcare.

To support other aspiring pharmacists, like Dr. Stuart, please follow more of her story on her instagram @morph_rx and you can find more information at pharmgradwishlist.org! 

Ila M. Saunders, PharmD, BCOP, co-founder and leadership team member of the #PharmGradWishList interviews&nbsp;Ja&rsquo;Miera Stuart, PharmD, #PGWL sponsee and winner of a large item crowdfunding campaign to support moving and relocation expenses to begin her PGY1 pharmacy residency.
Dr. Stuart has been interested in a career in pharmacy since high school when she began pre-pharmacy coursework. As a graduate of Florida A&amp;M University, Dr. Stuart truly embraced the role of the pharmacist as a healthcare practitioner and ambassador. During her involvement in Student National Pharmaceutical Association, Dr. Stuart rallied and amplified the voices of underrepresented minorities. Now, Dr. Stuart began her career and continued her education as a pharmacy resident at Howard University Hospital, serving a pivotal patient population in the DC metro area.
Dr. Stuart is grateful for the generous outpouring of support from the pharmacy community who have and continue to help her achieve her goals and aspirations. She remains passionate about supporting opportunities, like those she has received, to continue diversifying pharmacy and healthcare.
To support other aspiring pharmacists, like Dr. Stuart, please follow more of her story on her instagram @morph_rx and you can find more information at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/pharmacy-podcast/jamiera-stuart-brighter-WaVAb4oIEGp/pharmgradwishlist.org">pharmgradwishlist.org</a>!&nbsp;

Pharmacists for Truth Transparency - PBM Reform Series Part Two - PPN Episode 906

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