Issue #24

Shifty Team
March 12, 2025

Welcome back to this week's edition of The Weekly Fill! We're bringing you the latest pharmacy trends with some fun updates about life at ShiftRx.

SXSW is in full swing, the sun is shining in Austin, and the ShiftRx team is out making moves. We kicked things off at Mercury’s #SXSW BBQ mixer with great vibes, solid networking, and maybe a little too much fun.

The Weekly Fill is your go-to for pharmacists, pharmacy techs, owners, operators, managers, you name it. If you’re in pharmacy, this newsletter is for you. Share it with 10 pharmacy friends or risk five years of back ordered meds (scary isn’t it) 😇

💊 The Big Fill this Week: Wellvana Expands Value-Based Care with CVS Acquisition

What's happening?

Wellvana is acquiring CVS Health’s Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) business, marking a major expansion in value-based care. This move strengthens Wellvana’s presence in primary care coordination and population health management, aiming to drive better patient outcomes while reducing costs.

Quick Does:

Strategic growth: This acquisition significantly increases Wellvana’s reach in Medicare value-based care, positioning it as a major player in coordinated healthcare delivery.
Why this matters: Value-based care models focus on improving patient outcomes rather than fee-for-service payments, meaning providers are incentivized to deliver more efficient, quality care.
Industry shift: As healthcare costs continue to rise, acquisitions like this signal a broader industry trend toward alternative payment models that prioritize efficiency and patient wellness.

What this means for you:

Expect more providers to transition to value-based care frameworks, which could mean better care coordination and fewer unnecessary procedures. If you're in the healthcare space, keeping up with these shifts is key.

Want to learn more? Check out the full story here.

Pharmacy Trends

Biotech Layoffs Hit Hard: Biogen, BMS, CRISPR Affected

The biotech industry faces a fresh wave of job cuts, with major stakeholders like Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), and CRISPR Therapeutics scaling back their workforce. This trend reflects broader financial pressures and shifting priorities in drug development.

Quick Doses:

Industry-wide cuts: Biogen, BMS, and CRISPR Therapeutics are among the companies downsizing as they restructure operations and pivot towards new research priorities.
Why now? Declining investment, high R&D costs, and regulatory challenges have made profitability harder, forcing many biotech firms to scale back.
Future impact: Expect increased consolidation in the sector, with smaller biotech firms struggling to secure funding while larger companies focus on high-reward drug pipelines.

Why it matters:

For biotech professionals, this means a more competitive job market and potential shifts in industry hiring trends. If you're in the space, staying adaptable and keeping an eye on emerging growth areas like AI-driven drug discovery could be crucial.

Want to learn more? Check out the full story here.

ShiftRx Announcement

We’ve moved into full-time roles, in addition to the PRN marketplace, to help you build out a reliable float pool. We have a careers hub featuring a job board, so if you’re a pharmacist or tech looking for your next career move—this is a must to check out. Get started here: https://www.shiftrx.io/pharmacy-professionals.

And if you’re managing pharmacy operations: post your open roles on our job board and get direct access to only pharmacists and technicians instead of spending time on Indeed or LinkedIn, sifting through tons of resumes. Get started building your pharmacy dream team here: https://www.shiftrx.io/healthcare-facilities.

🗞 Quick Scripts: Other Industry News

Big Pharma’s Global Push on NCDs: Pharmaceutical giants are calling for a coordinated response to the rising noncommunicable disease (NCD) crisis, urging policymakers to prioritize prevention and treatment strategies.
Novo Nordisk Targets Wegovy Generics: Novo Nordisk is ramping up legal action against unauthorized Wegovy knockoffs, reinforcing its dominance in the obesity drug market.
RFK Jr. Takes on Big Food and Big Pharma: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is challenging corporate influence in food and pharma, criticizing regulatory practices and calling for industry accountability.

🌟Pharma Spotlight

Each week, we highlight pharmacy professionals and industry leaders who are making a real impact. This is our way of celebrating the work and dedication of professionals who drive pharmacy forward.

Walter Oronsaye, PharmD, MS, is a pharmacist, content creator, and social media consultant dedicated to making healthcare information accessible and engaging. As the creator of Phit Pharmacist, he combines his clinical experience with digital strategy to educate and entertain millions. With over seven years of experience in pharmacy and a background in biomedical sciences, he specializes in medication adherence, patient counseling, and optimizing social media for healthcare communication. through his work, he helps individuals and brands strengthen their digital presence and connect with audiences.

Walter Oronsaye, PharmD, MS

Social media has completely changed the game when it comes patient engagement. Back in the day, patients had to rely solely on in-person visits or long pamphlets full of medical jargon. Now, they’re getting real-time, bite-sized, engaging content that actually sticks.

I’ve seen firsthand how a funny yet educational video about why you shouldn’t skip your antibiotics has helped thousands remember to finish their meds. I’ve had people message me saying, “I literally hear your voice in my head” for various topics I speak on. Someone once told me I’m their ‘unofficial Pharmacist angel on their shoulder.”

What works best?

Relatable storytelling – People connect with real-life scenarios.
Humor + education – A little comedy makes medical advice way more memorable because people remember engaging content.
Interactive content – Polls, Q&As, and myth-busting videos keep followers engaged and invested in their health.

At the end of the day, social media makes learning about health fun, which means better adherence and healthier patients.

How do you balance professional credibility with engaging content in an era of misinformation?

It’s like walking a tightrope while dodging clickbait nonsense. Misinformation spreads faster than a virus, so my job is to be both the fact-checker and the entertainer.

How do I keep my credibility intact?

Facts First, Fun Second – Every joke, dance, or meme is backed by legitimate science. If it’s not evidence-based, it’s not making it to my page. Accuracy is the priority.
Engagement ≠ Sensationalism – Try not to overpromise or exaggerate. Just the truth, packaged in a way that’s easy to digest.
Calling Out Myths – Instead of shaming people for believing misinformation, I educate them with humor and patience. For example, “No, apple cider vinegar won’t replace Ozempic, but it will make your salad taste better.”

At the end of the day, I make healthcare content that’s fun, factual, and trustworthy—because when people trust you, they listen.

Advice for healthcare professionals looking to build a social media brand?

If you want to jump into the social media world, it’s a wild ride.

Start Small, Stay Consistent – You don’t need fancy equipment or 100K followers overnight. Just start posting, keep it simple, and be consistent. Even one helpful video a week can build momentum. Find Your Unique Voice – Are you the funny Pharmacist, the motivational nurse, the tech-savvy Physician? Lean into what makes you different. People follow personalities, not just credentials. Avoid Common Mistakes – Don’t chase trends that don’t align with your brand, don’t spread unverified claims, and don’t be afraid to show your personality. Social media gives healthcare professionals a huge opportunity to impact lives beyond the Pharmacy or Hospital. You can advocate, educate, and literally save lives—one post at a time.

If you’re interested in learning more about Phit Pharmacist, you can find him here:

That’s it for today’s fill!

Stay tuned for next week’s issue. If you enjoyed this, please share it with your pharmacy friends. Until then, keep filling those scripts 🫡

Doses and mimosas, ShiftRx team

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