August 12, 2025
Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers the Real Villains of Healthcare? with Deborah Keaveny
Knock Knock, Hi! with the GlaucomfleckensAbout this episode
You know those mystery charges at the pharmacy that make zero sense? Yeah, turns out, there’s a whole shadowy system behind it and no, it’s not your pharmacist’s fault. This week on Knock Knock Hi , Kristin and I talk with Deborah Keaveny , president of Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT), about the tangled web of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) , why your copays never go down, and how independent pharmacies are basically being squeezed to death. We get into the secret contracts, gag clauses, clawbacks, and even why some pharmacists now run liquor stores and coffee shops just to keep the lights on. It’s equal parts depressing, eye-opening, and—believe it or not—hopeful. There’s real legislation happening, and maybe, just maybe, the tide is turning. Takeaways: Discover how PBMs started as simple payment processors… and morphed into billion-dollar healthcare gatekeepers. Learn why pharmacists sometimes lose money by filling your prescription—and how “clawback fees” make it worse. The shocking truth about mail-order pharmacies (hint: PBMs own them and pay themselves hundreds more per script). Why GoodRx isn’t always good—and what lawsuits are revealing about patient data and price collusion. How new state and federal legislation might finally crack down on PBMs, save independent pharmacies, and protect patients. — Want more Deborah Keaveny Twitter/X: @TruthRx Facebook: https://facebook.com/TruthRx Instagram: @putt_national Twitter/X: @keavenyrx To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! knockknockhi@human-content.com Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! – http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/ If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken If you want more information on models I use: Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact. For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15 -- A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit http://www.EyelidCheck.com for more information. Produced by Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices