CVS Breaks Apart, PBM Reform Moves Forward & the Future of Pharmacy Care | TWIRx

November 6, 2026 | Pharmacy Podcast Network

Sponsored by Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC) and U.S. News & World Report

This week on This Week in Pharmacy, Todd Eury welcomes an outstanding lineup of pharmacy leaders, healthcare advocates, and industry experts to discuss four major developments shaping the future of pharmacy: CVS Health's historic restructuring, federal PBM reform, GLP-1 patient outcomes, and innovation in specialty medication access.

Segment 1: CVS Health's Historic Separation — What Happens to 9,000 Pharmacies?

CVS Health has announced plans to separate its retail pharmacy business from its PBM, insurance, and specialty pharmacy operations. What does this mean for community pharmacy profitability, patient access, and the future of vertically integrated healthcare?

Guests:

• Greg Reybold — APCI
• Chichi Ilonzo Momah, PharmD, RPh — Owner, Springfield Pharmacy
• Alec Ginsberg — Chief Operating Officer, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries
• https://drugstorecowboy.com/

The big question: If CVS is separating its pharmacies from Caremark, what does that signal about the future business model of community pharmacy?

Segment 2: PBM Reform Becomes Federal Law — What's Next?

Major PBM reforms were enacted through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed February 3, 2026, introducing new requirements for transparency, PBM compensation, and pharmacy access.

Congressman Buddy Carter joins IPC's John Covello to examine the legislative victory, the work ahead to implement these reforms, and the fight to protect independent pharmacies.

Guests:

• U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA)
• John Covello — Vice President of Government Relations, Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)

The big question: Will federal PBM reform finally deliver meaningful financial relief and fairer competition for community pharmacies?

Segment 3: GLP-1 Success — Beyond the Prescription

A new U.S. News & World Report survey explores how patients select GLP-1 telehealth providers and why behavioral support, affordability, and ongoing engagement matter to long-term weight-management success.

Guests:

• Gretel Schueller — Managing Editor, Health, U.S. News & World Report
• Kelli Stovall, RPh, MBA — Vice President of Clinical Strategy, Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)

The big question: How can independent community pharmacists help patients achieve better outcomes beyond dispensing GLP-1 medications?

Read the U.S. News GLP-1 survey

Segment 4: Breaking Down Barriers to Specialty Medications — Sonexus™

Special Guest: Josh Marsh, Vice President & General Manager, Sonexus™ Access and Patient Support, Cardinal Health

Josh Marsh joins Todd to discuss how Cardinal Health's Sonexus™ helps patients overcome barriers to specialty medications.

The conversation explores pharmaceutical Hub Services, benefits verification, prior authorization assistance, financial support, and the growing role of AI and automation in accelerating treatment access.

The big question: How can technology and personalized patient support work together to make specialty medications more accessible?

Report here:

https://cardinalhealth.scene7.com/is/content/corpmarketdms7prod/corp/web/documents/cardinal-health-2026-insourcing-and-outsourcing-trends-report.pdf

 

About This Week in Pharmacy

Hosted by Todd Eury, This Week in Pharmacy delivers news, policy analysis, and exclusive conversations with the professionals shaping the futu