The Struggle of Independent Pharmacies Against PBM Dominance

EP. 215: I sat down with Brad Hart, owner of Forest Park Pharmacy in Fort Worth, to expose the shocking truth behind pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and how they’re driving up drug prices. What I learned about vertical integration in the healthcare system, where insurers own the PBMs and the pharmacies, honestly left me furious.

Brad breaks it all down, from Medicare waste to the skyrocketing cost of specialty drugs, and we talk about real solutions like compounding pharmacies and direct-to-consumer options. This is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered why your medications cost so much—and who’s really profiting.

Topics Discussed: 

• What are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and how do they increase drug prices?

• How are health insurance companies profiting from vertical integration in the pharmacy system?

• Why are independent and rural pharmacies struggling to stay open?

• What impact do PBMs have on Medicare spending and prescription drug costs?

• How can consumers save money on medications without relying on insurance?

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On This Episode We Cover: 

• 00:00:00 - Introduction 

• 00:04:34 - History of PBMs

• 00:09:02 - Insurance & Pharmacy Ties

• 00:12:17 - UnitedHealthcare’s Role

• 00:15:59 - Pharmacy Kickbacks

• 00:18:01 - Emergency Med Access

• 00:23:11 - Rural Pharmacy Crisis

• 00:26:20 - How Insurance Works

• 00:30:05 - Compounding Pharmacies Explained

• 00:35:19 - How Pharmacies Save Money

• 00:37:14 - Arkansas PBM Bill

• 00:39:12 - Trump’s Drug Pricing Executive Order

• 00:42:37 - Direct-to-Consumer Drugs

• 00:43:40 - Wegovy, Eli Lilly, & Changing Costs

• 00:46:27 - Medicare Waste

• 00:48:25 - Medicare Price Negotiation

• 00:49:58 - Specialty Drug Cost

• 00:54:18 - Brad’s Pharmacy Model

Further Listening: 

• The Fight For Affordable GLP1s & The Truth About Big Pharma | Dave Knapp 

Check Out Brad: 

• https://www.forestparkpharmacy.com/

• Instagram

• TikTok

• YouTube

Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided in this blog/podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Tyna Moore. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.