In this episode of Post-Script, Henry introduces Heidi McKinnon, PharmD, CHC, founder of RxExpert Insights, former Board of Pharmacy investigator, and former Head of Compliance and SIU oversight at a national PBM. With more than 20 years of experience inspecting pharmacies, responding to audits, and leading fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) programs, Heidi brings unmatched insight into how audits work — and how they can escalate into full investigations.

In this episode, Heidi gives us a preview of her upcoming conference session, where she’ll explore:

• Common audit triggers and red flags that prompt SIU scrutiny
• How audits function from both the PBM and Special Investigations Unit perspectives
• Practical strategies to reduce risk exposure, prevent recoupments, and strengthen internal controls

Whether you’re a pharmacy owner, compliance officer, or part of an audit response team, you’ll come away with tools and real-world guidance to protect your operations and stay compliant.

Join us at the annual conference: Developments in Pharmacy Law Seminar, November 6-9, 2025 at the Westin on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In this episode of Post-Script, Henry introduces Mark Boesen, PharmD, JD, founding partner of Boesen and Snow law firm. They discuss Mark's upcoming presentation "Pharmacists Aren't Telemedicine Police, But You Will Be Treated Like You Are." This presentation will address the growing regulatory scrutiny facing pharmacies dispensing telemedicine prescriptions, as state regulators, medical boards, and the DEA increasingly target pharmacies instead of directly addressing prescriber compliance concerns.

Mark shares his unique 30-year journey from pharmacy practice to working for Senator John McCain, building specialty pharmacy operations at what would become Avella, and eventually founding his law firm. He discusses how his extensive pharmacy experience provides practical operational insights alongside legal expertise for his clients.

The conversation explores how telemedicine prescriptions are receiving the same scrutiny as controlled substance prescriptions, creating double jeopardy when the two overlap. Mark explains his approach of providing attendees with practical resources including sample policies, procedures, and documentation strategies developed from his extensive regulatory encounters. He discusses his firm's evolution from traditional regulatory compliance work to federal litigation, particularly around compounding, telemedicine, and GLP-1 drug issues.

Mark also touches on his background in substance abuse treatment and prevention from his time as Executive Director of the Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs, highlighting the unique drug trafficking challenges Maine faces due to its extensive coastline and fishing industry.

Join us at the annual conference: Developments in Pharmacy Law Seminar, November 6-9, 2025 at the Westin on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In this special edition premiere of Post Scrip, host Henry sits down with Dr. Jerry Avorn, MD, Harvard Medical School professor and author of the groundbreaking book Rethinking Medications: Truth, Power and the Drugs You Take. Dr. Avorn, a senior internist at Mass General Brigham and author of over 600 papers, takes us on a dive into the complex world of drug approval, pricing, and pharmaceutical policy.

This episode explores how the FDA's accelerated approval pathway, originally designed for AIDS drugs, has been used in part for medications like Aduhelm, the Alzheimer's drug that didn't work, could cause brain damage, and all at a high price. The conversation delves into the erosion of randomized controlled trials, the problematic influence of user fees on FDA decision-making, and Dr. Avorn's experience as an expert witness in the landmark Vioxx litigation.

Dr. Avorn discusses the challenge of "doing your own research" when drug companies control access to study data, his work in academic detailing to compete with pharmaceutical marketing, and the "because I can" pricing strategy that drives up drug costs. He also shares insights about maintaining independence by refusing personal consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies and about his organizations that focus on unbiased drug evaluation and education.

This conversation will hopefully encourage discussion among pharmacists, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and anyone seeking to understand the forces shaping modern medicine, drug policy, and drug pricing.