Pharmacy Practice

Independent Pharmacies at a Crossroads: Join the Conversation on PBM Reform

2025-04-16T08:55:39-05:00April 15th, 2025|Categories: Fellows and Members, networking, News Release, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , , |

For too long, independent pharmacists have carried the weight of a system that increasingly works against them. From below-cost reimbursements to clawbacks and opaque practices, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have shaped an uneven playing field that threatens not only the livelihood of community pharmacies—but also the access and quality of care patients rely on.

As reform efforts gain traction at both the state and federal levels, now is the time for pharmacists to come together, get informed, and get involved.

On Tuesday, May 13 at 12:00 PM Central, the American College of Apothecaries (ACA) will host a live Zoom Town Hall to explore what meaningful PBM reform looks like—and how independent pharmacists can help drive that change.

This panel discussion brings together seasoned voices from pharmacy and policy:

  • Anthony V. Minniti, BScPharm, RPh, FACA, Owner, Camden Apothecary Dispensary/Bell Pharmacy
  • Jay Phipps, PharmD, MBA, FACA, FACVP, Pharmacy Gladiator, President & CEO, Phipps Pharmacy, PhippsCARE, and Health Insurance Solutions
  • Senator Evan Vickers, FACA, Utah State Senator and President, Bulloch’s Drug Store
  • Mark Ey, RPh, Senior Vice President and COO, National Community Pharmacists Association

The conversation will dive into the current landscape of PBM reform, legislation in motion, and practical steps pharmacists can take to protect their practice and advocate for fairer systems. From firsthand accounts to policymaker insights, this is more than a policy briefing—it’s a forum for pharmacists to be seen, heard, and empowered.

Registration is free for ACA Members and Fellows, and thanks to limited open spots, non-members are also welcome to attend at no cost.

If you’re an independent pharmacist navigating a system that feels increasingly unsustainable, this Town Hall is for you. Not just to listen—but to be part of the solution.

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Nutrition & Wellness Faculty Meeting: Allergy Treatments: Homeopathy as a First Option and Supportive Care

2025-04-15T13:05:46-05:00March 24th, 2025|Categories: Fellows and Members, networking, Nutrition, nutrition & wellness, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , , |

Did you miss the meeting? 

Listen Now
Topic: Understanding Medications and Achieving Front-End Success

Allergy Treatments: Homeopathy as a First Option and Supportive Care
Speaker:  Shane McCamey, Director of Training and Business Development

Join us for an insightful Nutrition & Wellness Faculty meeting featuring Shane McCamey, Director of Training and Business Development at Boiron USA, as he discusses the benefits of homeopathy in treating allergies. With his extensive experience as Operations Manager at Capitol Drugs, Los Angeles, a leading integrative pharmacy, and his 600-hour training in Homeopathy for Acute Therapeutics, Shane will share valuable insights on using homeopathy both as a primary treatment and in supportive care for allergy sufferers.

About Boiron: As the global leader in homeopathic medicines, Boiron was founded in 1932 by twin pharmacists Jean and Henri Boiron. Headquartered in Lyon, France, Boiron manufactures, educates, and distributes homeopathic medicines to over 50 countries. The company remains family-owned, with subsidiaries in the US, Canada, Italy, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, and more.

Did you miss the April 9 meeting?
Listen Now!

ACA WEBINAR: Opportunities in Wellness – Integrating Advanced Point-of-Sale Functional Testing in Community Pharmacy

2025-03-10T08:59:15-05:00March 10th, 2025|Categories: Continuing Education, On-Demand Webinars, Pharmacy Practice, Revenue, Technology, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Earn 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEUs) of continuing education credit!

About the Webinar
Functional testing focuses on assessing physiological function at a biological level rather than detecting disease markers. Community pharmacies are uniquely positioned to offer these services, empowering patients with deeper insights into their health while supporting nutritional and lifestyle interventions.

This webinar will explore how pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can integrate Advanced Point-of-Sale Functional Testing into their practice. Topics include stool testing, breath testing, saliva testing, dried urine testing, food intolerance testing, and more. Learn how these tests can enhance patient outcomes, expand the role of pharmacy professionals, and boost revenue—all without requiring a CLIA waiver.

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of community pharmacy!

Speaker:

As a young teenager, Hillary worked as a pharmacy technician until graduating high school in 1998. Her passion for medicine led her to enroll in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Ferris State University and graduated in 2004. Shortly after graduating, she married her high school sweetheart and took a position as a retail staff pharmacist at a local pharmacy chain. This ultimately led to a manager position with the same company. Hillary has two children, Hunter and Tanner, which she adores.10 years into her position as a manager, her husband James was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, leiomyosarcoma of the prostate. During his journey, the family decided to look into alternative treatments using both conventional and alternative therapies. Sadly, James’ journey ended 18 months later. As a single mother, Hillary decided to take her career in a new direction.
She opened Michigan’s first integrative cash-based pharmacy, Apothecary Co, in 2019, focusing on helping others to find their root cause instead of applying a “bandaid”. Apothecary & Co proudly specializes in compounding, point-of-care testing, and functional medicine consulting. Since opening in 2019, Hillary received her Certified Clinical Nutrition designation in 2021. She is currently pursuing a certification program through the Institute for Functional Medicine. Besides the love for functional medicine, her other passion is medicinal herbalism leading her to complete coursework through Rosemary Gladstar’s The Science of Art and Herbalism program.

 


The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge-based program for 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEUs) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

ACA WEBINAR: Neurology and Opportunities for Compounding

2025-02-25T09:00:31-06:00January 22nd, 2025|Categories: compounding, Continuing Education, Disease Management, Neurology, On-Demand Webinars, Patient Care, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , , , |

Earn up to 1.5 hours of continuing education with the webinar Neurology and Opportunities for Compounding, originally presented at the ACA | ACVP | PPHI Annual Conference & Expo. This session is designed for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians looking to expand their knowledge in neurology and compounding.

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

  1. Understand the role of the neurologist in treating neurological diseases.
  2. Provide neurologists with therapeutic compounding options not commercially available, helping to meet patient needs.
  3. Identify specific disease states, including Parkinson’s Disease, the use of low-dose Naltrexone, and effective pain management.

This program will enhance your ability to offer specialized care in neurology and compounding practices.

Speaker:

Paul W. Lofholm, PharmD, is a Clinical Professor of Pharmacy from his alma mater, University of California, San Francisco.  He is an owner of Ross Valley Compounding Pharmacy in San Rafael, CA.  He regularly teaches pharmacy students from the SF Bay Area Schools of pharmacy. His compounding experience includes teaching compounding at UCSF.  He has been a member of the USP Compounding Committee and he is a member of the California Pharmacist’s Compounding Academy.  He has been a surveyor for PCAB and now ACHC where he reviews compounding activities for those pharmacies seeking accreditation.

He is married to Rebecca Lofholm who is a pharmacist.  He has two daughters and a son-in-law who practice together in Marin County.  He is a past president of ACA, the California Pharmacists Association, and the Rotary Club of Central Marin.  He was the 2011 Recipient of the Remington Honor Metal.

 


The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge-based program for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEUs) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Nutrition & Wellness Faculty Meeting: Recharge, Refocus, and Rediscover Balance

2025-01-16T11:20:20-06:00January 15th, 2025|Categories: Fellows and Members, networking, Nutrition, nutrition & wellness, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , , |

Recharge, Refocus, and Rediscover Balance: A Nutrition & Wellness Faculty Meeting

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm Eastern / 12 Noon Central / 11:00 am Mountain / 10:00 am Pacific
Hosted by: Hillary Howell, PharmD, FACA, CCN and Steve Zielinski, PharmD, FACA

Show Yourself Some Love!

Is your job taking a toll on you? Are you feeling burned out? This Valentine’s season, it’s time to focus on self-care and wellness. Join us for an inspiring and open discussion designed for pharmacy teams, where we’ll tackle these pressing questions and share strategies to support one another.

What to Expect:

This meeting is more than just a conversation; it’s an opportunity to recharge, refocus, and rediscover balance in your life. Led by experts Hillary Howell and Steve Zielinski, the session will dive into practical ways to address burnout and prioritize self-care. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:

  • Addressing Workplace Challenges: Share and listen to experiences from colleagues facing similar struggles. Together, we can identify actionable solutions to create a more supportive environment.
  • Promoting Wellness: Explore positive ideas for fostering wellness, not only for yourself but for your entire team. From small daily habits to workplace initiatives, every step counts.
  • Rediscovering Balance: Learn how to prioritize your well-being without compromising your professional responsibilities. Because taking care of others starts with taking care of yourself.

This meeting will be recorded

Why You Should Attend:

Burnout isn’t just a personal challenge—it affects your ability to provide the best care for others. This Valentine’s season, let’s show ourselves some love and dedicate time to personal wellness. By recharging and refocusing, we can rediscover balance and approach our work with renewed energy and passion.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, need a safe space to discuss challenges, or want to connect with a community that understands, this meeting is for you. Together, we can create a healthier, more supportive workplace.

Mark your calendar and join us for this transformative session. Because when you’re at your best, everyone benefits. Let’s commit to caring for ourselves and each other—one step at a time.

We can’t wait to see you there!

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Optimizing Sterile Compounding: From Aseptic Processing to FDA Compliance

2025-02-25T08:57:42-06:00January 13th, 2025|Categories: Aseptic Technique, Compliance, compounding, compounding training, Continuing Education, FDA, networking, Pharmacy Practice, USP 797|Tags: , , , , |

Is your pharmacy team ready to take sterile compounding to the next level? This 4-hour accredited CE virtual course is designed to empower your team with essential knowledge and skills for excellence in aseptic processing and FDA compliance.

🧪 Why Enroll?
Sterile compounding requires precision, compliance, and the latest knowledge in regulatory standards. This course provides comprehensive training to help your team stay ahead in the ever-evolving pharmaceutical landscape.

📚 What You’ll Learn:
By the end of this engaging course, participants will be able to:
1️⃣ Master aseptic processing and terminal sterilization methods.
2️⃣ Understand release testing requirements, including visual inspections, sterility, and endotoxin testing.
3️⃣ Navigate key FDA guidance documents with confidence.
4️⃣ Ensure proper selection of components used in compounding.
5️⃣ Recognize the importance of certificates of analysis and perform related calculations.

💻 Who Should Attend?
Perfect for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and healthcare professionals involved in sterile compounding.

📅 Schedule Your Team Today!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your team’s expertise and compliance standards. Sign up now and invest in the future of safe and effective compounding practices!


The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge-based program for 4.0 contact hours (0.4 CEUs) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Nutrition & Wellness Faculty Meeting: The Foundational Five

2025-01-16T11:58:22-06:00November 12th, 2024|Categories: Fellows and Members, networking, Nutrition, nutrition & wellness, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , , |

“The Foundational Five”.  Matt will delve into the five most popular supplements, explaining their key benefits and the reasons we rely on them for health and wellness. He will break down each supplement’s role in supporting various bodily functions, addressing common health concerns, and enhancing overall well-being. By exploring the science behind each product, Matt aims to help us understand how these supplements contribute to optimal health and make informed choices for their wellness routines.

Due to illness the presentation was delivered by Hillary Howell.

Topic: The Foundational Five
Speaker: Hillary Howell, PharmD, FACA, CCN,

Listen Now

This meeting will be recorded

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ACA MEMBER INFORMATIONAL MEETING WITH AIRCLEAN SYSTEMS

2024-10-30T17:02:18-05:00October 8th, 2024|Categories: Community Pharmacy, Fellows and Members, networking, Pharmacy Practice, Public/Community Health|Tags: , , , , |

Title: Achieving USP Compliance with AirClean Systems
Did you miss the meeting, listen now – RECORDING

Description: Learn about USP General Chapters <795>, <797>, and <800>. Alanna will discuss which AirClean Systems products provide the necessary protection to keep your staff safe and maintain compliance.

Speaker: Alanna Zow, Technical Sales Specialist

Alanna has been a Technical Sales Specialist with AirClean Systems since early 2024. In her role, she assists customers across various industries – including research, education, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical fields – to ensure they have the fume hood or enclosure they need to protect their processes or keep their employees safe. Her background and education include a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of South Florida and an M.S. in Medical Sciences from the University of Kentucky. Her knowledge and experience allow her to understand her customers’ needs, applications, and concerns when selecting the right product.

Did you miss the meeting?  Listen Now

Registration is closed.

Recording – ACA MEMBER INFORMATIONAL MEETING WITH WAYPOINT

2024-10-09T11:17:51-05:00September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Community Pharmacy, Fellows and Members, networking, Pharmacy Practice, Public/Community Health|Tags: , , , , |

Boosting Cash Flow at Waypoint Company Member Meeting
Did you miss the meeting, listen now – Recording

We’re excited to announce that our next member meeting will focus on boosting cash flow in your pharmacy operations. In these challenging times, every dollar counts, and it’s crucial that we stay ahead of the game to combat the pressures posed by the PBM industry.  We have successfully saved or added hundreds of thousands of dollars to pharmacy cash flows. This initiative has grown into a powerful movement, and we want you to be a part of it.

Join us to learn valuable strategies and tips on how to maximize your cash flow and ensure your continued success in this competitive landscape. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this!

Ben Coakley, Owner the Waypoint Company and RX Insurance Group.

Ben has served pharmacies and pharmacy owners for over 20 years now. He is dedicated to fighting for patients to continue to have access to independent pharmacies

This meeting will be recorded

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ACA MEMBER INFORMATIONAL MEETING WITH PTCB

2024-09-12T14:04:45-05:00August 23rd, 2024|Categories: Fellows and Members, networking, Nutrition, nutrition & wellness, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , , |

Rx for Success: Elevating Pharmacy Technicians through Certification Excellence“.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
CLICK HERE FOR THE MEETING RECORDING

This will be a great opportunity for your pharmacy technicians to elevate their skills and expertise through certification excellence. This Rx for Success meeting will offer comprehensive information that can really take your team to the next level.  This event is a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits of certification and how it can help you stand out in the field.

Liza Chapman, PharmD, FAPhA
Chief Professional Officer

Liza Chapman serves as PTCB’s Chief Professional Officer where she is responsible for developing partnerships with the pharmacy community, including educators, employers, state and national pharmacy associations, and state boards of pharmacy to advance pharmacy technician roles and responsibilities, and medication safety.

This meeting will be recorded

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