Exposing PBMs: How Pharmacy Middlemen Are Raising Your Drug Costs | Brad Hart

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? Sponsored By: Qualia | Go to qualialife.com/DRTYNA for up to 50% off your purchase and use code DRTYNA for an additional 15% Maui Nui Venison | Head to mauinuivenison.com/DRTYNA to secure your access now.  LMNT | Get your free Sample Pack with any LMNT purchase at drinkLMNT.com/drtyna BIOptimizers | Go to bioptimizers.com/tyna and use promo code TYNA10 to order Masszymes now and get 10% off any order Sundays | Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to sundaysfordogs.com/DRTYNA and use code DRTYNA at checkout. Relax Tonic | Go to https://store.drtyna.com/products/relaxtonic and use code and use DRTYNASHOW to save 10% 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.