This month, the American Medical Association, American Pharmacist Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists issued a joint release urging prescribers and pharmacists to stop ordering, prescribing, and dispensing ivermectin to prevent or treat Covid-19 outside of clinical trials. The reason for issuing this plea is a 24-fold increase in prescribing and dispensing of ivermectin

I am very excited to announce a release of Gavel & Pestle podcast where I speak on PBM audits, trends, and litigation. With Brooke Kulusich we discuss the most common compliance mistakes that pharmacies make, the implications of Rutledge v. PCMA decision, and how independent pharmacies can think outside-the-box in their approach to PBMs.

Please

This year we saw some positive litigation outcomes for independent pharmacies. Let’s talk about two recent victories in PBM litigation. (Both cases were brought by Mark Cuker who represents several groups of pharmacies across the nation).

One of the cases was brought in California against Optum alleging misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of contract. Optum filed

I often say that pharmacies that bring legal actions against PBMs do not have a good precedent to rely on. Things might be changing soon with a recent California case holding that Optum’s provider agreement is unconscionable and thus unenforceable (specifically, its arbitration clause).

The court noted that the search for the true meaning of

If you are into pharmacy technology, you might have heard of a new pharmacy software designed to optimize profitability – UGO. It was built by pharmacy owners who know the industry and day-to-day problems that independent pharmacies face. For example, the platform integrates and functions with most existing pharmacy operating systems and provides “Key

In the most recent Script newsletter, the California State Board of Pharmacy explained that it received multiple complaints and observed practices where non-pharmacist staff were initiating the immunization process. It reminded that the authority to independently initiate and administer a vaccination extends only to pharmacists.  The Board strongly encouraged pharmacies, designated pharmacists-in-charge, and pharmacists to