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How can technology and AI transform operations without losing the personal touch that defines community care?

In this episode, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP®, Ollin Sykes, CPA, CITP, CMA and Austin Murray sit down with AJ Asgari, CEO of Drugstore2Door to unpack the evolving role of technology in independent pharmacy.

We cover:

• Why digitizing pharmacy services is no longer optional for growth
• How AI can enhance patient interactions and streamline daily operations
• Practical strategies to bridge the gap between convenience and customer service
• Ways automation reduces repetitive tasks while freeing staff for higher-value work

More About Our Guest:

AJ Asgari is the CEO of Drugstore2door and Multi-Pharmacy Owner in Norman, Oklahoma.

A dynamic entrepreneur, AJ's journey began immediately after graduating from pharmacy school, where he purchased his first pharmacy using nothing but grit, goodwill, and work ethic. That bold first step set the tone for a career defined by resilience, growth, and vision. Over the years, he expanded into multiple pharmacy acquisitions, startups, and sales, while also venturing into consulting, real estate, investing, and even serving as a banking board member.

His entrepreneurial path ultimately led to the creation of drugstore2door, a company dedicated to empowering independent pharmacies with a strong online presence. By bridging the gap between traditional community pharmacies and the digital marketplace, drugstore2door helps owners stay relevant and competitive in the modern era.

Today, he continues to champion independent pharmacy by blending innovation with mission-driven leadership, driven less by profit and more by impact, collaboration, and the pursuit of long-term sustainability for pharmacy owners nationwide.

Stay connected with AJ and Drugstore2Door:

AJ Asgari LinkedIn

Drugstore2Door Website

Drugstore2Door Facebook

Drugstore2Door Instagram

Drugstore2Door YouTube

Drugstore2Door LinkedIn

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Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP LinkedIn

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP Twitter

Bonnie Bond – CPA LinkedIn

Bonnie Bond – CPA Twitter

More on this topic:

Podcast: Relationships That Scale

Podcast: Reinventing Revenue Streams

Podcast: Becoming a Pharmacy Gladiator4

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As a pharmacist, serving your community means putting your advocacy hat on and stepping into unfamiliar territory.

One of the largest untapped resources that can really drive change towards PBM reform is using your existing patient base to show legislators the importance of PBM legislation.

In this episode, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP®, Bonnie Bond, CPA, MBA, and Austin Murray, sit down with pharmacist and owner of Table Rock Pharmacy, Jessi Stout, to explore the grassroots advocacy efforts driving Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform in North Carolina.

We cover:

• How to engage customers in advocacy
• Why local advocacy is critical for independent pharmacies
• Real-world stories that bring the PBM issue to life for legislators

More About Our Guest:

Jessi Stout is the owner of Table Rock Pharmacy in Morganton, North Carolina and winner of the 2025 Cardinal Health's Community Leadership Award which celebrates independent pharmacists going above and beyond for their community.

A dedicated advocate for independent pharmacy, Jessi was once uninvolved in politics, has become a strong leader in the fight for PBM reform and combines her role as a local pharmacist with her passion for patient care, ensuring her voice and the voices of her patients are heard in legislative conversations that shape the future of pharmacy.

Table Rock Pharmacy was one of the first pharmacies in North Carolina to offer the yellow fever vaccine and was the only pharmacy in the region offering the REGEN-COV and EVUSHELD injections while they were authorized to treat COVID-19.

Additionally, during Hurricane Helene, Table Rock Pharmacy remained open, despite power outages and fallen trees. Transactions were recorded by hand to ensure patients could still get their prescriptions. At one point, they transported a generator by wheelbarrow to keep critical medication frozen. During this time, Stout also spoke out against audits being performed by Optum Rx. A social media post went viral, and this attention resulted in audits being paused for hurricane-affected areas.

Learn more about Jessi and Table Rock Pharmacy:

Table Rock Pharmacy Facebook

Table Rock Pharmacy Instagram

Table Rock Pharmacy Website

Table Rock Pharmacy TikTok

Table Rock Pharmacy YouTube

Stay connected with us on social media:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP LinkedIn

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP Twitter

Bonnie Bond – CPA LinkedIn

Bonnie Bond – CPA Twitter

More on this topic:

Podcast: Becoming a Pharmacy Gladiator

Podcast: Pharmacy's Never Ending Story

Podcast: Pharmacy O

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As a pharmacy owner, it often feels like you’re fighting battles against systems designed to work against you.

Few battles loom larger than the fight against Pharmacy Benefit Managers whose opaque practices have chipped away at margins, patient trust, and sustainability for independents.

In this episode, we have two very special guests on the front lines of PBM reform: Dared Price, President of OreadRx and Price Pharmacies and Mark Cuban, legendary entrepreneur and co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs.

Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP®, Bonnie Bond, CPA, MBA, and Austin Murray sit down with Mark Cuban Dared Price to explore how transparent models are reshaping the future of drug pricing and pharmacy benefit management.

We cover:

• The real impact of spread pricing, rebates, and hidden contracts on pharmacy owners
• How Cost Plus Drugs is cutting out middlemen to bring transparency to patients and pharmacies
• Why OreadRx’s transparent PBM model could change the game for independents
• What a fair reimbursement ecosystem might look like and how owners can prepare

And more!

Stay connected with Dared Price, OreadRx, Mark Cuban and Cost Plus Drugs:

Dared Price LinkedIn

OreadRx Website

OreadRx Facebook

Cost Plus Drugs Website

Cost Plus Drugs LinkedIn

Cost Plus Drugs Facebook

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook

Twitter (X)

LinkedIn

Instagram

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP LinkedIn

Scotty Sykes – CPA, CFP Twitter

Bonnie Bond - CPA, MBA LinkedIn

More resources about this topic:

Podcast - Pharmacy’s Never Ending Story: PBM Reform Act and Medicare Drug Pricing Changes

Podcast - Pharmacy Ownership Through Time

Podcast – The State of PBM Reform