Earlier this month, the American Pharmacies team gathered in Lakeway, Texas, for our annual Leadership Meeting. This event served as a dynamic platform for exchanging strategies and innovative ideas aimed at enhancing service to our members and their patients and furthering our shared mission. 

In addition to productive discussions, the meeting fostered team connections through shared experiences and collaborative activities. Together, we explored new approaches to boost member engagement and reinforced our commitment to supporting independent pharmacies. 

"Our annual Leadership Meeting serves as an important forum for us to align on our vision, celebrate our achievements, and chart the path forward,” said American Pharmacies President Laird Leavoy. “Equally important, the conference is a celebration of fellowship. This year’s meeting exceeded all expectations, showcasing the incredible dedication, collaboration, and innovation of our team.” 

On the final day of the meeting, the team was joined by Cencora executives Tim Cernohous, SVP & President of Community Retail and Long-Term Care Pharmacy; Frank Harris, SVP of Community & Specialty Pharmacy Sales; and Jenni Zilka, SVP of Good Neighbor Pharmacy Field Programs and Services. Cernohous, Harris and Zilka delivered an inspiring and forward-thinking presentation, emphasizing their vision for enhanced collaboration in advocacy and business. They outlined strategies to build stronger partnerships and create lasting value for all stakeholders. Their shared commitment to innovation and joint problem-solving was evident throughout the discussion. 

The meeting concluded with a dinner and awards ceremony, where three associates were honored by their peers — a genuine reflection of their leadership and commitment to supporting their teams — and two were recognized by President Leavoy for exemplifying the “Normalization of Excellence” that defines American Pharmacies. 

(L-R) Andrew Merrill, Austin Zook, Brennan Brown, APRx President Laird Leavoy, Jeff Jacobs, and Charlotte Hutchison. 

2025 President’s Award Winners 

• Charlotte Hutchison, Director of Marketing & Communications 
• Jeff Jacobs, VP of Pharmacy Analytics & Clinical Services 

2025 Peer Award Winners 

• Brennan Brown, Director of Partner Pricing | Unsung Hero
• Andrew Merrill, Pharmacy Services Analyst | Willingness to Act
• Austin Zook, Director of Pharmacy Engagement | Outstanding Leadership

“I’m incredibly proud of the passion and commitment our team brings to advancing our mission,” said Leavoy. “A special congratulations to our award winners. They are part of a team of true superstars who selected them as recipients of this year’s Peer Awards, and that is as good as it gets! Our award winners embody the excellence and leadership that inspire us all to keep reaching higher. As we look ahead, I’m filled with excitement and confidence about the future. Together, we’ve built a strong foundation to continue driving the company forward.” 



To see more photos from the meeting, check out our LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram pages.

APEX 2025

Beyond the Fill: Transforming Patient Care 

Mark Your Calendars | Discounted Registration Opens Feb 1.

June 19-21 | La Cantera Resort & Spa | San Antonio, TX 

Join a Premier Gathering of Independent Pharmacy Owners! 

• Network and Share Insights: Engage with over 120+ independent pharmacy owners to exchange ideas, share experiences, and spark innovative solutions.
• Evolve and Diversify: Gain expert insights on evolving your pharmacy business and exploring new revenue streams to strengthen your bottom line.
• Explore Cutting-Edge Solutions: Access a curated selection of powerful tools, products and services from top-tier vendors, designed to enhance pharmacy operations and profitability.
• Invest in Your Success: Participate in CE sessions crafted to address the unique challenges and opportunities of independent pharmacies.
• Relax in Luxury: Enjoy the ambiance of a 5-star resort, complete with exceptional amenities designed to rejuvenate, inspire and provide the perfect blend of learning and leisure.
• Dine and Celebrate: Savor gourmet meals and connect with peers at networking receptions, all included to enrich your experience.

Registration with Early-Bird Discounts Opens February 2025.

La Cantera Resort & Spa



To see more photos of La Cantera Resort & Spa, click here.

Watch Highlights from APEX 2023.

IRA Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Resources & Information   

Beginning in 2025, the prescription drug law, known as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), requires all Medicare prescription drug plans (Medicare Part D plans) — including both standalone Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage — to offer enrollees the option to pay out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in the form of capped monthly payments instead of all at once at the pharmacy. Cencora has resources to help pharmacies learn about the program and maintain compliance.  

PREP Act Amendments Extended Through 2029

The protections for pharmacists' vaccine and testing authority under the PREP Act have been extended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, allowing pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians to independently administer vaccines and provide test-to-treat services for COVID-19. The authority, which was set to expire at the end of 2024, has been extended to Dec. 31, 2029.  

Since 2020, licensed pharmacists in all 50 states have been able to use this emergency authority to expand vaccination and testing services to more patients, specifically children ages 3-18, where in some states that had not been permitted within the state's pharmacy scope of practice.  

News and Discounts from Vendors & Partners

Imbue. The Perfect CBD Products for Today’s CBD Patients 

Imbue, the preferred partner of American Pharmacies for CBD products, has streamlined the process of ordering their High-MG Full-Spectrum products, making it effortless to capitalize on today’s thriving CBD market. 

Carrying the right mix of CBD products for your patients doesn’t have to be a chore — Imbue has done the work for you. Their High-MG Full-Spectrum CBD products deliver exceptional clinical efficacy and excellent value, offering exactly what your patients need. Imbue’s high-potency CBD and wellness products are not only more effective, but they also cost less too! 

"At American Pharmacies, we choose our preferred vendors based on demonstrated leadership, honor, and integrity; Imbue is a strong fit," said American Pharmacies President Laird Leavoy. "I use Imbue’s products every day and am confident their quality of product and service is what our members and their patients would expect from a partner of American Pharmacies." 

Most Pharmacy Owners Are Unaware of the Profitability of Their Refill Adherence Program 

• Typically, understanding of ROI is based on anecdotal evidence, with profitability assumed rather than measured. 
• Many pharmacies rely on paid solutions for adherence management, potentially paying for programs with limited profitability. 

Key Questions to Consider for Your Adherence Program 

• What is the average profit per captured Rx? 
• Per patient, what is the average profit and fill volume captured? 
• Are the most profitable fills and patients being actively pursued and secured each month? 
• Is the profitability of captured fills greater or less than that of un-captured fills? 

APRx’s Guided Growth Adherence Program Conservatively Projects the Following Return on Investment 

If you have RxCompass, can you afford to not try Guided Growth? Contact your APRx Consultant today to get started with this FREE program. 

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