PBMs Under Fire, the World Pharmacist Challenge & CRUSH COST | TWIRx

October 30, 2026 | Pharmacy Podcast Network

Sponsored by CurifyLabs and Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)

Pharmacy benefit managers are facing new scrutiny, controversial peptides are making headlines, and two pharmacy leaders are joining Todd Eury for a special edition of This Week in Pharmacy.

This week's episode features the finale of the 31 Day Challenge, an exciting announcement about the upcoming WORLD PHARMACIST CHALLENGE, and an exclusive in-studio interview with the 2025 Pharmacy 50 winner, Dr. Grant Harting, PharmD, founder of CRUSH COST.

TWIRx News: The Vox Top 3

1. PBMs Forced to Open Their Books — and They're Fighting Back

The Department of Labor has finalized new PBM transparency requirements covering fees, rebates, spread-pricing revenue, and compensation arrangements involving employer health plans.

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) argues that the regulation creates unnecessary burdens, threatens smaller PBMs, and could increase costs.

The big question: If PBMs are already transparent, why is additional financial disclosure such a problem?

Read PCMA's response

2. HHS Opens the Door to Six Controversial Peptides

HHS has announced an interim enforcement-discretion policy involving six peptides: BPC-157, Epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax, and TB-500.

The policy could create a pathway for qualifying 503A compounding pharmacies under specific conditions, even as significant questions remain about the safety and efficacy of these non-FDA-approved substances.

The big question: Is this progress for personalized medicine or a dangerous leap ahead of clinical evidence?

Read the HHS Federal Register notice

3. Congress Investigates Alleged PBM Retaliation Against Independent Pharmacies

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer is investigating whether CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx targeted independent pharmacies with burdensome audits after those pharmacies publicly supported PBM reform.

One allegation involves a medication costing just 99 cents that reportedly generated hundreds of hours of pharmacy staff work. The investigation is ongoing, and retaliation has not been established.

The big question: Are PBM audits protecting the system, or could they be used to intimidate pharmacies advocating for reform?

Read the congressional announcement

Special Guest: Dr. Jesse McCullough, PharmD

The 31 Day Challenge Finale & WORLD PHARMACIST CHALLENGE Announcement

Leadership starts with action!

Dr. Jesse McCullough, PharmD, CEO of Keystone Pharmacy Insights, returns to TWIRx for the final special feature of the 31 Day Challenge, reflecting on leadership, personal growth, accountability, and the importance of pharmacists stepping beyond their comfort zones.