NCPA Launches New Media Studio | News & Updates

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has opened a new media studio at its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, aiming to enhance content creation and reach its members through diverse media formats. The studio will support the NCPA’s existing communications, including its podcast, Independent Rx Forum, and facilitate the production of new short-form videos for social media platforms.

NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey emphasized the importance of meeting members where they are in terms of media consumption. “This studio will allow us to meet our members where they are. That’s what NCPA is all about,” Hoey said. “NCPA members consume media in a variety of ways and the studio allows us to produce content specific to the varied interests of NCPA membership.”

The Independent Rx Forum podcast, launched in 2021 as a monthly series, has seen increased demand, leading to a production schedule of two episodes per week. The new studio will add a visual component to the podcast, which has previously been audio-only. According to Hoey, “The video element is very important especially for younger audiences,” and will allow for more engaging content creation.

The studio’s capabilities extend beyond the podcast, enabling the NCPA to produce more short videos tailored for social media, where a growing number of members are active. This expansion reflects a broader shift in how people consume information, and the NCPA’s commitment to adapting to these changes.

Hosting the Independent Rx Forum podcast will continue to be pharmacist and former NCPA Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives John Beckner. Joining him this year will be Sam Manas, editor of the NCPA daily newsletter, qAM, and Brooklyn Morgan, associate director of state government affairs for NCPA.

The NCPA has also been actively involved in advocating for independent pharmacies on a national level. On March 2, 2026, the NCPA launched a multi-million-dollar national ad campaign to promote independent pharmacies, with advertisements scheduled to air on CNN, Fox News, HGTV, TBS, and TLC, as well as on local cable, streaming TV, social media, and online sites.

the NCPA recently asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for expedited payments and other corrections to the Medicare Drug File (MDPNP) following a survey revealing cash flow problems among independent pharmacies. This request, made on February 27, 2026, highlights the financial challenges faced by these pharmacies as the federal government implements changes to Medicare drug policies.

In February 2026, NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey testified before a House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health, arguing that lowering healthcare costs requires addressing healthcare consolidation. This testimony underscores the NCPA’s advocacy efforts to create a more competitive and accessible healthcare landscape.

The NCPA also announced upcoming online events for pharmacy teams on March 31, 2026, and March 5, 2026, demonstrating its commitment to providing continuing education and resources for its members. Information about these events and other NCPA news can be found on the NCPA website and through its daily newsletter, qAM.