Q: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Boksburg, a small town outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Q: Where did you go to college/graduate school?
I studied at University of Johannesburg, University of the Free State, South Africa and University of Georgia.
Q: What are your favorites?
Food: Meat and of course any kind
Movie: Reservoir Dogs
Musicians: Machine Gun Kelly, Patrick Droney, Foo Fighters
Destination: Safari and the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy being outside if I don’t work and play in three tennis leagues (ALTA, Ultimate and T2) in the Atlanta area where we live. Also love to play golf when I have time and ride my skateboard (OneWheel) to get my adrenaline going. Also I love traveling with my wife, Jessica and our son, Rhodie (17 years old). Jessica and I have been married for 21 years and she was my first American girlfriend after immigrating from South Africa at the end of 1998. We are also blessed to travel to South Africa every year to catch up with friends and family.
Q: What kind of work does your company do in 340B and what makes it stand out?
RxStrategies has over 20 years of 340B experience, and we provide a diverse range of services to all “Covered Entities” the in-house and/or contract pharmacies, including “real-time” comprehensive solutions to the challenges of regulatory compliance.
Q: Why did you choose to work in the 340B space?
I was placed by a recruiter two decades ago with one of the first companies involved in 340B contract pharmacy and employee health and where I built their 340B program. I quickly became fascinated with the 340B program and its powerful impact in lowering costs and improving health outcomes for vulnerable patient populations. I have never looked back since. I have now been at RxS for 8 years and am proud of our very experienced and savvy team.
Q: What do you feel is your most significant contribution to the 340B world or to a 340B customer/client?
Being a trained and experienced litigator made me perfect for this complex compliance program. I have a diverse range of knowledge (two decades) consulting with all covered entities on a range of challenges, including in-house and/or contract pharmacy solutions, management of regulatory compliance challenges, patient eligibility, pharmacy replenishment, program tracking, and 340B price reporting.
I enjoy working through complex challenges that covered entities face with regards to patient eligibility and really enjoy creating cash plans (self-pay) for underserved patients at the pharmacy. This enables financially-challenged patients to pay 340B acquisition cost for their prescriptions at retail pharmacies. I just love seeing 340B’s impact in helping our clients stretch scare resources and ensuring that their most vulnerable patients get the benefit of this important federal program. I grew up in South Africa and saw how the poor and underserved had limited care in the healthcare space and that is why I am proud to be involved in a mission-oriented cause in the greatest country in the world.
Q: What advice do you have for a young professional who has recently launched a career in the 340B space?
Just be patient as the learning curve is a long process. Educate yourself in taking free courses through Apexus, keep up to date with important news developments through 340B Report and spend time with 340B veterans picking their brains.
For questions, Rhodie can be reached at rsmith@rxstrategies.com.
