Behind the Counter: What You Don’t See About Drug Prices – Featuring Vinay Patel on the Future of Pharma Podcast

The ISPE Boston Area Chapter’s Future of Pharma Podcast continues to explore the cutting edge of life sciences and healthcare with conversations that push beyond the lab and into the systems that support patients every day. In Episode 32, we take a detour from the usual lineup of pharmaceutical industry leaders and turn our attention to a perspective that often gets overlooked: what happens to medications after they leave the manufacturer.

This episode features Vinay Patel, a seasoned pharmacist executive and founder of MakoRx, who brings over 18 years of experience in community pharmacy, hospital settings, academia, and group medical practices. Vinay has made it his mission to bring transparency and innovation to pharmacy services—especially within employer on-site clinics—and to help patients and companies save on prescriptions.

What You’ll Learn in Episode 32

If you’ve ever stood at a pharmacy counter wondering why your medication costs so much—or why that same drug is cheaper just down the street—this episode is for you. Host [insert name if desired] and Vinay delve deep into the murky waters of the U.S. pharmacy network and answer questions like:

• How do drugs travel from pharma companies to patients?

• Why can the same medication cost vastly different amounts depending on the pharmacy?

• What invisible players impact the final price you pay?

• Why pharmaceutical companies aren’t solely to blame for rising drug prices—and who actually is.

• What needs to change in the pharmacy model to improve access and affordability.

• How technology is shaping the future of pharmacy operations and drug distribution.

• Vinay’s advice for entrepreneurs entering the healthcare space.

Why This Conversation Matters

This episode marks an important pivot for the podcast—highlighting the full lifecycle of medications and the complex economic and logistical journey from manufacturing to patient use. Vinay offers an insider’s look at the supply chain and sheds light on the structural issues that contribute to skyrocketing prescription costs.

His insights reveal just how many invisible factors—middlemen, rebate structures, PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers), and more—affect what patients and payers ultimately spend.

Don’t Miss It

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, policy enthusiast, or simply someone who fills prescriptions regularly, this episode will leave you better informed and more empowered to navigate the world of pharmacy and drug pricing.

🎧 Listen to Episode 32 now and take a peek behind the counter with Vinay Patel. It’s a conversation that might just change how you think about your medicine cabinet.

Episode 32 – Vinay Patel and the Invisible Factors Impacting Drug Prices at Pharmacies