To advance the concept of pharmacy care. To ensure the economic viability and security of

Independent Pharmacy; To provide a forum

for Independent Pharmacy to exchange information and develop strategies, goals and

objectives; To address the unique business and

professional issues of independent pharmacies; To develop and implement

marketing opportunities for members of the

Academy with emphasis on the third party prescription drug program/benefit market; To

provide educational programs designed to

enhance the managerial skills of Independent Pharmacy Owners and Managers; and, To

establish and implement programs and services

designed to assist Independent Pharmacy Owners and Managers.

AIP Mission Statement

KEEP INDEPENDENTS INDEPENDENT

Please don’t forget, if you have a desire to sell your pharmacy or if you have an

interest in buying a pharmacy, please contact Jeff Lurey at 404-419-8103. We

have been quite successful during the past several years at keeping independents

independent. We maintain a list of pharmacists who want to buy additional

pharmacies and we also keep a list of young pharmacists who want to own a

pharmacy. All information is kept strictly confidential.

If you change wholesalers please be sure to let us know. Please contact Verouschka Betancourt-Whigham “V” at

vbwhigham@gpha.org or 404-419-8102.

Thank You

GPhA’s CPEasy

· It’s ACPE-accredited continuing education for GPhA members.

· It’s available online live (where you can ask questions) or via

recorded video (so you can “attend” any time).

· The topics are always changing, and they’re timely and

interesting.

· Sessions are only $20 a pop for an hour and a half of CPE

credit.

Each CPEasy class is offered online through our Go To Training

platform, either at the set date and time (so you can ask

questions of the instructor), or as home study on demand (so

you can take them any time in any order). The software is free

and installs in a couple of minutes. Once you register, you’ll get a

link in your inbox. You click, and in a few seconds you’re learning.

You can check out our 2016 line-up at GPhA.org/cpeasy, and sign

up for a course right there. It’s that easy.

Compounder’s Corner

Brian Rickard, New AIP CPS Chairman

Brian Rickard, PharmD is a 2012 graduate of South University School of

Pharmacy. He has worked in independent pharmacy from the start of his career

beginning at Mableton Pharmacy in Mableton, GA where he helped develop and

maintain an already thriving compounding department that included sterile and

non-sterile compounding. He is currently the Director of Compounding and

Pharmacy Manager for Allcare Pharmacy in Lyons, GA where he has been employed

for 2.5 years. Within his first year, Brian was instrumental in guiding Allcare

toward obtaining PCAB accreditation, UCM membership, and also implementing

logistical changes to it's operation that allowed Allcare to grow their business

model to include physicians and patients throughout the entire southeastern parts of the United States.

In addition to his duties at Allcare Pharmacy, Brian is also the Region 1 President for GPhA. He is a 2015

graduate of the inaugural LeadershipGPhA class, a graduate of the New Practitioner Leadership Conference, served

as Co-Chair for the GPhA Provider Status Workgroup, and has served on the GPhA Legislative Committee. Brian is

also an active member of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) in order to stay

knowledgeable and "ahead of the curve" when it comes to the many changes that the compounding industry

has and will continue to face in the future.

=

Chairman’s Message

J U L Y 2 0 1 6 V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 7

An official publication of GPhA’s Academy of Independent Pharmacy The mission of AIP is to ensure the economic viability and security of independent pharmacy, and to

advance the concept of pharmacy care designed to enhance patient quality of life and positive outcomes.

The Independent News

Growing up in South Georgia with two older brothers was an experience that I will never

forget. Seining creek bottoms, “Cooning” catfish, or frog gigging, was just a way of life and

the dangers associated with it were never given a second thought. If they told me it was

cool, then as the little brother I dove in head first. Another tradition that we experienced

was the yearly dreaded colored Easter chicks that were sold at our local hardware store.

Now, I know what you are thinking…..why would I dread getting one of those adorable,

little, colored Easter chicks? The reason my friend is that those cute, friendly little chicks

grow up to be some of the meanest, most pooping, craziest animals on the face of this earth.

I have never understood the how or why they are all roosters, but inevitably each one will

grow up to weigh about 25 pounds with spurs 1 inch long and razor sharp. To attack and

harass is their only goal in life.

I was around 3-4 years old when first introduced to this beast. My brothers and I had to beg

for hours before daddy agreed to buy us one of them. Of the 3 chicks bought, mine was the

only one that survived the first week. Maybe his friends being squeezed to death was why

he decided to make our life a living hell. The second you turned your back, he would come

out of nowhere with total destruction on his mind. He hid behind the barn, under the house,

in the shrubbery….all the time planning his attack on anyone that was dumb enough to

lower their guard. To that unsuspecting person, life would be forever changed. The only up

side to “Poopy” was convincing our friends to come out and challenge him to a duel. Most

of them are still in therapy after this encounter.

Reflecting on this experience is very similar to what we are going though in pharmacy.

Pharmacists have sat around for years thinking everything would be fine….only realizing

that the cute little chick has turned into a monster that wants to destroy us. Everywhere we

turn, “Poopy” is trying to attack and destroy our profession as we know it. He is hiding

behind acronyms called MACs, PBMs, DIRs, PPNs, and the many other changes that affect

our life as we know it. How do we defend ourselves? By doing just the opposite of what I

did as a child. Instead of inviting our friends to be attacked by “Poopy”, we can help train

them to defend against him. We can win the war by standing together and

fighting for our profession. Organizations like the AIP, GPhA, and NCPA

are vital in helping us to band together and win. If we stick together we

can defeat the dreaded, colored, chick that has infiltrated our lives. If we

don’t, then they will continue to attack from every direction and independent

pharmacy will not survive.

Now you are probably asking, what happened to my rooster? One Sunday

we all sat down at dinner and there was the most delicious plate of fried

chicken sitting before us. About the time I dove into a thigh, my daddy

asked where we got the chicken from. Granddaddy just looked at me and

smiled……

Scott

2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Scott Meeks, R.Ph. Chairman

Lindsay Walker, R.Ph. Chairman Elect

E. Laird Miller, R.Ph. Secretary

Drew Miller, R.Ph., CDM Immediate Past

Chairman

Scott Brunner, CAE

Hugh Chancy, R.Ph.

Ben Cravey, R.Ph.

Carolyn Florence, R.Ph.

Kevin Florence, Pharm.D.

Ira Katz, R.Ph.

George Launius, R.Ph.

Pamala Marquess, Pharm.D.

Mac McCord, R.Ph.

Fred Sharpe, R.Ph.

Tim Short, R.Ph.

Chris Thurmond, Pharm.D.

A I P S T A F F

Jeff L. Lurey, R.Ph.

Executive Director of AIP

Verouschka Betancourt-Whigham

Manager of AIP Member Services

Rhonda Bonner

Member Services Representative

Charles D. Boone

Member Services Representative

Amanda Gaddy, R.Ph.

Director of Clinical Services

Melissa Metheny

Member Services Representative

Gene Smith

Member Services Representative

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

P A G E 2

Update on CMO credentialing

To all the great folks at AIP,

Thank you so much for helping me troubleshoot my CMO enrollment problems. A pharmacy transition is a really stressful time, and after multiple episodes of misinformation, it's great to know the independent pharmacy owner has someone they can turn to. I’ve always been a member of AIP and I always will be, but my recent difficulties reinforce how important it is to be an AIP member. You all are awesome and I can't thank you enough.

Ryan Gurley, Pharm D

***********************************************

CVS Caremark

This pharmacy has been trying to get a contract with CVS for months. It took us less than a day.

Our Network Enrollment team has contacted Brandy, and it sounds like everything is moving along. She should be in good shape now.

AIP Helps A Member

*********

Members

Please Be

Aware

When emailing

AIP regarding

pharmacy

issues please

include your

name,

pharmacy

name, address,

phone number

and NPI#.

Pay-For-Performance Programs Are Here!

We are seeing more pay-for-performance (P4P) programs emerging. The fact is

health plans are penalized if patients aren’t adherent. They know community

pharmacists have the knowledge, trust and access to move the needle and improve

adherence and they are right! With a solid medication synchronization program,

improving adherence is easy.

Recently, United Healthcare (UHC) has launched a P4P pilot program in Georgia and

South Carolina and is offering this program to select independent pharmacies serving

Medicare Advantage members. If eligible, you should have received communication

directly from UHC.

Pharmacies will receive performance scores in three medication adherence measures including diabetes,

RAS antagonists and statins. Performance scores will be calculated through the EQuIPP platform

between July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Bonus payouts will be paid per qualifying member

by March 15, 2017. Bonus amounts are based on star ratings ranging from $0.00 to $24.00 per

qualifying member.

If you have received the notice from UHC indicating your pharmacy is eligible, please participate! This

is an excellent opportunity to show how impactful independent pharmacists are in increasing adherence

and ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.

To access your EQuIPP dashboard, log-in at: www.equipp.org

Program: “UnitedHealthcare MAPD-R9896”

If you do not have access to EQuIPP, please use the support link in the top right-hand

corner: www.equipp.org

For general questions related to MTM and medication synchronization programs, contact

Amanda Gaddy- agaddy@gpha.org

Amanda Gaddy,R.Ph., AIP Director of Clinical

Services

***********************************************

REQUEST MAC CHANGE FROM GA MEDICAID

This is the information on the drug GA Medicaid has not adjusted the MAC after it went up in price more than a month ago:

Fluphenazine 10mg NDC 0527-1791-01, cost $509.94/100 GAMCD pays $33.87 for 120 pills

The prescription numbers involved are:

Rx filled on 05/16/16 and on 06/13/2016 Rx filled on 05/31/2016 Rx filled on 06/13/2016

I have also attached the current invoice on this drug. Thanks for your help in advance.

Sincerely,

Maggie C. Okeke, RPH

GA Medicaid approved cost overrides on the Rx’s in question.

Please go ahead and reverse and resubmit these claims as you should see a higher reimbursement.

If you have any questions just let me know.

****************************************************

Wellcare

I am having problems with Wellcare getting up due

Continued on Page 3

V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 7 P A G E 7

AIP Wholesaler Appreciation Luncheon & Business Meeting This year’s AIP Wholesaler Appreciation Luncheon was a huge success. Around 80 AIP members joined us this year to honor our wholesalers. Scott Meek’s was sworn in as AIP’s new Chairman of the Board and Drew Miller was awarded the Outgoing Chairman award.

During the meeting NCPA CEO Doug Hoey spoke and the “Danny Cottrell - Independent Pharmacist and Pillar of the Community” video was played. We were also honored to have Rep. Buddy Harden attend the luncheon.

Drew Miller presented Jack Dunn with the 2016 AIP Pharmacist of the year.

Jeff Lurey, AIP Director spoke to members about important issues facing pharmacy.

A wonderful lunch was had by all and AIP presented each wholesaler with a special gift to show them our appreciation for all the support they give AIP and it’s members .

AIP thanks our wholesalers

for their continued support!

AmerisourceBergen ● Cardinal Health ● HD Smith ● McKesson

● Morris & Dickson ● Smith Drug Co.

2016 AIP Pharmacist of the Year - Jack Dunn

Jack was born and raised in Jasper, Ga., where

his Father, Lee, opened the pharmacy in July

1952. Jack never started out to be a

Pharmacist. He wanted to be a football coach.

After playing football at Western Carolina for a half

year, he decided maybe he would follow in his

father's footsteps after all. He always wanted to

help people and felt Pharmacy was the way to fulfill

that need.

Jack graduated from Mercer School of Pharmacy

in 1978 and starting working with his father at

Jasper Drugs. Lee retired in the late 1990's and passed the reins to Jack. The

store offers a large gift section in addition to the pharmacy. The pharmacy has a

staff of 12, with a few part-timers. It dispenses on average 400 scripts a day. A

second location was opened in 2008 in Marble Hill, Ga. It is a apothecary-style

pharmacy inside a grocery store. Terry, Jack's wife manages that location.

Jack offers compounding, medication therapy

management, medication synchronization,

immunizations, diabetes products and education

(including shoes and fittings), weight management,

blood pressure control, smoking cessation, and

natural medications. Recently Jack has expanded

healthcare to include micronutrients and vitamins to

improve patients health. The pharmacy also provides

services to several assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Jack teaches

diabetes classes in the pharmacy education room monthly and will conduct extra

classes depending on demand.

Jack joined GPhA and NCPA in 1978 after graduation from pharmacy school. He

has always been involved and has been drawn to leadership roles. In Pharmacy

school he was vice president of the senior class and fraternity president. As

most of you know, Jack loves being involved in the ever changing roles in

pharmacy. In 1980 he became region president for GPhA in north Georgia and

won outstanding regional president. In 2007, he was approached about running

for GPhA leadership. After discussion with his family, he decided that pharmacy

has been good to me and my family and it's time to put something back into it.

Jack served 5 years in GPhA leadership and served as president in 2011. In 2014,

Jack was named recipient of the NCPA Willard B. Simmons Independent

Pharmacist of the year at the 116th Annual NCPA Convention in Austin, TX. More

recently he has won a Next Generation Pharmacist Award in the patient care

category.

Pharmacy has been good to our family, we now

have 3 generations of Pharmacist, 6 family

members are pharmacist, 4 retail pharmacist,

our son Brent is a hospital pharmacist in

Savannah and 1 retired pharmacist. A need to

help people and to provide excellent patient

care must be in our genes!!

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

P A G E 6

NCPA DIR Survey Results

Most independent community pharmacists consistently encounter misleading and

confusing direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees imposed by PBMs that negatively

impact both pharmacies and patients, distorting medication costs and reimbursement

rates, according to NCPA's recent survey of 640 pharmacists. Among the highlights:

+ 67% of respondents said no information is given as to how much and when DIR fees

will be collected or assessed.

+ 53% said DIRs are assessed quarterly, making it impossible to determine at the time of

dispensing whether the net reimbursement will cover their costs.

+ 57% said DIRs now appear in some commercial plans after starting in Medicare Part D.

+ 87% said DIRS significantly affect their pharmacy's ability to provide patient care and

remain in business.

Many pharmacists said DIR fees can total thousands of dollars each month. NCPA posted

online comments from pharmacists that further illustrate the problem and also published

an online video of pharmacists discussing the matter.

Humana! Withdraw That Contract Amendment, Congressmen Urge

A pair of Georgia congressmen, both critics of PBM policies

that hurt pharmacies and patients, have stepped into the Humana $5 withholding per prescription contract

amendment imbroglio and are asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services "to encourage Humana to

withdraw" it.

"We believe this amendment includes multiple predatory provisions which take advantage of independent community

pharmacies' inability to negotiate Pharmacy Providers Agreements," wrote Republican Reps. Doug Collins and Earl

L. "Buddy" Carter June 28.

"We believe these insurer-forced changes are

anti-competitive behavior," they continued. "They disproportionally impact independent community

pharmacies compared to large scale retail pharmacies, and pharmacy quality measures were not intended to be used

as an excuse to punish or hinder pharmacies. Instead, they were intended to incentivize patient adherence and provide

greater transparency."

Under the contract amendment, Humana would hold back

$5 from the pharmacy for all "eligible" claims with the possibility of the pharmacy "earning back" some of the $5

based on its meeting certain adherence metrics for diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension medications. NCPA

has sent members two faxes (1st, 2nd) on the amendment.

Court ruling stands: Pharmacists

must supply emergency contraceptives Seattle Post-Intelligencer (06/28/16) Connelly, Joel

A protracted challenge against Washington's mandate that pharmacies carry

emergency contraceptives has come to a close, with federal courts once again

affirming the state rule. The provision stipulates that pharmacies offer timely

access to prescribed medications, including "morning after" birth control—

even if doing so offends the religious beliefs of individual pharmacists or phar-

macy owners. The case, formerly filed under Stormans v. Selecky, has played

out over nearly a decade, with plaintiffs claiming violation of their 1st Amend-

ment right to exercise freedom of religion. After bouncing back and forth be-

tween district and appellate courts for years, a decision by the U.S. Supreme

Court not to take up the issue has finally ended the tug-of-war.

V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 7 P A G E 3

AIP Helps A Member—Continued from Page 2

date coverage from Medicaid again. I have two siblings that should have coverage thru Wellcare according to Medicaid, however, when I try to submit a claim to Wellcare, they deny as filled after coverage expired. Can you forward this to your contacts to see if we can get their coverage updated.

Thanks,

Phillip The Prescription Shop

I have received confirmation from the Enrollment department that both members are active per GA portal as of 06/01/2016. They have been reinstated in Xcelys and in the pharmacy system. I have also contacted Phillip at Prescription Shop to reprocess the claims. Paid claims received on his end. Please let me know If you have any further questions regarding this.

****************************************************

Here is the information you requested. The invoice is attached. The claim was submitted on 5/27. Thanks for your help in this!

Kim Bost, Pharm D., Owner

The MAC and FUL price on this product was suspended effective 06/14/16.

That said, we are still waiting for the FUL price to be suspended in the pharmacy system and that should be completed early next week.

Once the system update has been made you may reverse and resubmit claims for this product with fill dates on or after 06/14/16 for a higher reimbursement.

Also, I will ask GA Medicaid if they will allow a price override on your claim from 05/27/16 since you lost so much money and will advise once I hear from them.

If there are any questions at this time just let me know.

GPhA Election Results

AIP members highlighted in yellow

Immediate Past President Tommy Whitworth

President/Board Chair Lance Boles

President Elect Liza Chapman

First Vice President Tim Short

At Large Jonathan Sinyard

At Large Chris Thurmond

At Large Amy Miller

At Large Renee Smith

Board of Directors ACHP Rep Michael Azzolin

Board of Directors AEP Rep Sharon Deason

Board of Directors AIP Rep Fred Sharpe

For one man in Georgia: Life after LBD diagnosis by DANIEL J. VANCE MS, LPC, NCC

This wasn’t how Robert Bowles of Thomaston, Georgia, wanted to spend his retirement years.

In a telephone interview, former pharmacist and 68-year-old Bowles said, “I’d owned my own pharmacy and no longer had the patience for it. So I sold it in December 2010 and quickly got depressed. I was put on an antidepressant, and on the eleventh day taking it, in July 2011, all of a sudden my legs didn’t want to move. Until then, I was still active and my mind was clear.”

At first, he thought his problem was antidepressant related. Then he saw a cardiologist. In October 2011, he began blacking out and

during one fall broke his nose. In April 2012, his cardiologist sent him to a neurologist, who diagnosed him with Parkinson’s disease, and later, frontotemporal dementia. Finally, at Emory University in Atlanta, he learned he had lewy body dementia (LBD).

He said, “Fifteen minutes after the diagnosis, I was in the hospital with my wife and the couple that drove us there. I looked at them and said, ‘It is what it is and everything will be okay.'”

Having to live with his symptoms (including visual hallucinations) while seeking a diagnosis had been as frustrating as having to find a diagnosis.

I tell people recently diagnosed with LBD to stay active, be socially engaged, and exercise.

He had seen eight different doctors before being correctly diagnosed.

The National Institutes of Health defines LBD as a common, progressive dementia that has “progressive cognitive decline, fluctuations in alertness and attention, visual hallucinations, and parkinsonian motor symptoms, such as slowness of movement, difficulty walking, or rigidity.” Some people liken LBD to a person having Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.

He said, “I’m beginning now to notice my memory recall is slower. I still have recall, but it takes longer to access the information. The other thing bothering me now is the Parkinson’s component of LBD. My posture is stooped, which presents a challenge in reading. I’m looking through the wrong part of my (eyeglasses) lens.”

Complicating matters has been his wife of 44 years having lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Yet he has maintained through everything a very positive attitude.

He said, “I tell people recently diagnosed with LBD to stay active, be socially engaged, and exercise. Also, I belong to dementiamentors.com. That has been a huge benefit to me. Through it, I mentor other people with LBD. I had one person just today, from Canada. There is life after a diagnosis.”

Originally published in Rocklin Today. For more from this author, go to his Facebook page, Disabilities by Daniel J. Vance. For more on Lewy Body Disease, read Dementia With Lewy Bodies: 3 Major Symptoms. Reprinted with permission of Daniel J. Vance

U.S. Reps. Carter, Collins ask CMS to protect

community pharmacies Drug Store News (06/29/16) Acosta, Gina

U.S. Reps. Doug Collins and Buddy Carter, both Republicans out of Georgia, are

going to bat for community pharmacies. The lawmakers have dispatched a letter

to CMS that asks the agency to review and reconsider Humana's proposed chang-

es to its Pharmacy Provider Agreement for the 2017 Part D plan year. In remarks

issued afterwards, Collins explained that the revised policy would take away $5

per prescription from small pharmacies upfront, with reimbursement possible

only if certain metrics are satisfied. However, he noted, "a pharmacy could meet

most of the CMS benchmarks, provide quality customer care, and still not be

reimbursed by Humana. Humana's criteria has little to do with patient care, and

everything to do [with] increasing their profit and driving community pharmacies

out of the market." Carter, who worked in the business himself for more than 30

years, agreed, warning that the Humana proposal will "leave community phar-

macists with two choices: leave themselves vulnerable to the very real possibil-

ity they will not be reimbursed or become an out of network provider which will

increase costs for patients."

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

P A G E 4

Save The Date: AIP Fall Meeting

Sunday,

October 23, 2016

Macon Marriott &

Centreplex,

Macon, GA

GETTING PAID DIFFERENTLY

By B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, National Community Pharmacists Association CEO

I've written many times about how the health care payment system is evolving to one based on value for patient outcomes, and why it's more important than ever for community pharmacies to evolve their business model today to be more successful tomorrow. Despite our major concerns over some of the recent incentive programs, there's a shift of payments from solely profit per prescription to payments based on products dispensed, performance measures, and outcomes.

Collaboration agreements with local physician practices, chronic care management, transitions of care programs, and enhanced service networks are just some of the innovative ways community pharmacies are embracing the value-based model.

After feedback from NCPA's steering committees and other pharmacy owner members, we have put together a new peer-to-peer educational program for pharmacy owners and staff pharmacists who want to take their businesses to the next step.

The Re-Engineering Your Pharmacy Practice Boot Camp (Aug. 12-13 in Alexandria, Va.), will take you from start to finish in this new process. You'll gain in-depth insights on how to optimize the dispensing process, collaborate with physician practices, streamline workflow, outline a financial plan to build an expanded services portfolio, use technology to document clinical encounters, and develop a brand to launch a new suite of services. We've also built in time for networking and idea sharing.

The best part? The program's speakers include some of the brightest minds in community pharmacy - pharmacists like you who have successfully implemented and are getting paid for expanded services opportunities in their own pharmacies and are willing to share their know-how with you. Boot Camp attendees will also have opportunities for ongoing interaction with the speakers after the program is over through a series of conference calls.

The opportunity for your pharmacy is there—are you ready to go for it? Come to our "Boot Camp" in August and find out, and bring a member of your team at a special discounted rate. For more infor-mation and to register for the program, visit www.ncpanet.org/reengineer or call 1-800-544-7447.

NEWS FROM CRITICALKEY by Gerry Galloway, CriticalKey CEO

To show the real proven power of local AIP pharmacies opening up doors to local employers and local doctors, here is a brand new example for everyone: Yes-

terday, the AIP-CK High Performance Pharmacy Network received a newly executed signed contract from the HR director for Best Showa Glove Company (600

employees) in Menlo Georgia to do the chronic disease management program for them using local AIP pharmacies. This is the result of the introduction by a local

AIP pharmacy to the HR director.

This contract will allow the local pharmacy to bill $22 per patient per month in clinical revenues for the patients selected by the employer and allow the local

pharmacy to fill all the prescriptions for their diabetes patients. Also in our contract we can add new clinical services later such as obesity counseling and oth-

ers. This same pharmacy with the help of CriticalKey signed another paying contract with a local doctor’s office to do Medicare chronic disease management and

we launched that in the last month with 40 patients.

This is a prime example of how one AIP pharmacy in partnership with CriticalKey opened two doors that turned into two signed contracts - one to a doctor’s office

and one to a local employer. These contracts were established because the local pharmacy set up an introductory meeting for us with the HR Director and doctor

several months ago who wanted to do business locally but didn't know how to begin. The hardest part is just getting the first meeting and being patient as they

don't all move at lightning speed or buy right away. It's building relationships from the ground-up with every payer and doctor in the state.

Based on intros from another AIP pharmacy I have two brokers for two other companies in another part of Georgia that I was introduced to through another AIP

pharmacy that want to take our concept to their employer customers. They are now talking logistics to us about how to not only give us the disease management

business for their employer clients, but how to steer the prescription business locally and replace their national PBM.

We went live with a preferred prescription dispensing network in Savannah for five companies in January and have been a major part of saving them several

hundreds of thousands of dollars this year on their prescription drugs. Soon we will go live with chronic care management with some of those companies as

well. I definitely don't have anywhere near all the answers or a magic wand to fix all the problems that face independent pharmacies. However, I do know one

thing. If we don't market our value and ourselves to the people that control the checkbooks of the healthcare system, we can't expect much.

Please feel free to contact me with any ideas you have for introductions you want to make in your community by emailing me at ggalloway@criticalkey.com.

V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 7 P A G E 5