RedSail Blog

On December 8, 2003, President George W. Bush signed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 into law. It quickly got shortened to the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) and Medicare, at long last, had a prescription drug benefit.The bill passed along partisan lines, with Republicans prevailing in the House by a vote of 220-215, and in the Senate by a tally of 54-44. Democrats worried about the $394 billion price tag, and the potential implications of the increased role of private insurers in Medicare.

We’ve all seen the news stories about drug compounders filling the gap caused by a shortage of the GLP-1 drugs tirzepatide, Lilly’s Zepbound, and semaglutide, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, approved for the treatment of obesity. So, what rules govern how a compounding pharmacy is authorized to legally create a version of a patented drug when the drug is declared to be in short supply?

Imagine you have two candidates for a senior leadership position in your organization. Both have a lengthy history in the LTC pharmacy industry, while one candidate has extensive experience across a broad range of healthcare specialties. All things being otherwise equal, which candidate would be more attractive? If you chose the one with broad experience, you would not be alone.

If you live in a presidential swing state, meaning that former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are within a few points of each other in the polls, you are under a constant barrage of political advertising that makes your head spin.

Imagine balancing between LTC pharmacy operations and maintaining a hands-on local presence. That’s exactly the adventure Kara Benson has embarked on at Lewis Family Drug, spanning South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Her time in the pharmacy industry showcases the best of retail and long-term care pharmacy models. Read on to learn more about Kara’s pharmacy journey, Lewis Family Drug’s role in the LTC industry, and how to streamline your pharmacy operations.

There are a million reasons not to do something. We think of the time commitment, financial investment, the potential discomfort, and — most powerfully — the fear of failure. It's self-doubt that can deter some from taking that great leap, even if it’s something they want to do.

"As soon as I was born, I was in the pharmacy, and as soon as I could walk, I was cleaning shelves. "That’s how Chad Kodiak describes the beginning of his pharmacy journey. His father established their family pharmacy in 1969, which sold everything from greeting cards to Fannie Mae candy. As he grew and found his professional niche, the road to becoming a pharmacist became increasingly clear.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to one of the most prevalent health concerns affecting women today. Whether you’re a community or long-term care pharmacist, you have a unique role in educating, supporting, and advocating for those fighting the good fight.

LTC pharmacy is a very competitive industry. Although market researchers tell us there are 1,282 LTC pharmacies in the U.S., they are probably counting only traditional closed-door pharmacies.