In this episode of the NASP Podcast, Sheila Arquette, President & CEO of NASP, speaks with Jeffrey S. Baird, Esq., Chairman of the Health Care Group at Brown & Fortunato, P.C. and Bradley W. Howard, shareholder and director at Brown & Fortunato, P.C. In today’s environment, it is challenging enough to profitably run a specialty pharmacy. The pharmacy needs to avoid the additional challenge of inquiries, audits and investigations by governmental agencies and PBMs. This podcast will discuss the proactive steps the specialty pharmacy can take to lower the risk of inquiries, audits and investigations. This podcast will also set out steps the pharmacy can take to resolve inquiries, audits and investigations before they spin out of control. The podcast will focus on the following: • Corporate Compliance Program – The specialty pharmacy needs to implement a robust compliance program that is specific to the pharmacy’s business model. Such a program will head off many problems before they arise…and a compliance program will resolve problems, once arisen, before they spin out of control. • PBMs – A PBM is in a stronger negotiating position than that of the specialty pharmacy. At the end of the day, the PBM “possesses the pharmacy’s money.” This podcast will discuss the steps the pharmacy should take to establish a “win-win” relationship with a PBM. Doing so will eliminate uncertainty and prevent many problems from arising. However, if the PBM ends up bringing an inquiry, audit or investigation against the pharmacy, the podcast will set out the steps the pharmacy should take to resolve the inquiry, audit or investigation without it devolving into an adversarial action. • Governmental Agencies – There are a number of federal and state governmental agencies that a specialty pharmacy may have to deal with. These include (i) the Department of Justice, (ii) the Office of Inspector General, (iii) the DEA, (iv) the FDA, (v) state Attorneys General, and (vi) State Boards of Pharmacy. This podcast will discuss the steps the pharmacy should take when it is investigated by a governmental agency. As with working with PBMs, the pharmacy should strive to resolve a government investigation before it spins out of control.

HealthPartners is joining forces with Perfecting Peds to bring life-changing medication management to Minnesota's sickest children. Many of these young patients, covered by Medicaid and the Health Exchange, manage complex medication regimens across multiple specialists. This partnership ensures they get the safest, most effective treatments-without the guesswork. By embedding specialized pediatric pharmacists directly into the care journey, HealthPartners and Perfecting Peds are bridging critical gaps between prescribing and outcomes—ensuring that every medication serves its intended purpose safely and effectively. This model of proactive, pharmacist-led intervention not only improves clinical outcomes, but also eases the emotional and logistical burdens on families. It empowers caregivers with clarity and support, transforming uncertainty into confidence. As other health systems look to elevate care for high-risk pediatric populations, this partnership serves as a blueprint for scalable, sustainable, and compassionate innovation in pharmacy-driven care. This is just the beginning. Co-Hosts: Jena Quinn, PharmD, BCPPS CEO and Founder Perfecting Peds Lyle Mioduszewski President Perfecting Peds Guests: Dr. Sarah Groen PharmD Clinical Pharmacist in Medication Therapy Management at HealthPartners