National CooperativeRx 2025 Annual Meeting Recap: Membership Report, Clinical Insights, and Legal Updates

The 2025 National CooperativeRx Annual Meeting was an insightful and engaging event that brought together more than 150 Cooperative members and partners. The agenda featured a dynamic lineup, including a Cooperative membership report, an informative clinical presentation, and a briefing on the challenging legal landscape surrounding pharmacy benefits.

Opening Remarks

The meeting began with National CooperativeRx’s Board Chair, Mark O’Connell, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Counties Association, who shared the Board of Directors election results. Mark announced that Heather Hormel, Senior Director of Human Resources at United Regional Health Care System, was re-elected, by membership, to a second three-year term and elected Board Vice Chair, by the Board of Directors. He also welcomed Brian Glaser, Director, Global Benefits at SC Johnson, who was elected by members to serve a three-year term. Additionally, Mark introduced Doug Benzine, Vice President of Finance and Operations at The Alliance, as a new Board Member. The Alliance holds an automatic seat on the Board of Directors as a founding member of National CooperativeRx.

Following the Board of Directors announcements, Michael Worthy, Executive Director of Employer Accounts at CVS Caremark, took the stage to provide an update on the ongoing collaboration between CVS Caremark and National CooperativeRx. He highlighted the success of current initiatives and emphasized how CVS Caremark remains a valuable partner in advancing pharmacy benefit management for our members.

National CooperativeRx Membership Report

Josh Bindl, CEO of National CooperativeRx, delivered a comprehensive membership report, highlighting the Cooperative’s record-breaking growth over the past year and forecasting even greater success heading into 2026. He outlined the Cooperative’s strategic approaches to pharmacy benefit management, emphasizing clinical initiatives that have delivered savings while improving patient outcomes. Josh also introduced our new home-based light therapy program for the treatment of psoriasis. He concluded with updates on marketplace dynamics and the ongoing legal and legislative pressures impacting the industry.

Presentation: “From Gene Therapies to Generics: Key Trends Shaping the Pharmacy Benefits Landscape”

IPD Analytics’ guest speakers, Mindy Bauer, Director of Clinical Pharmacy, and Kevin Niehoff, Director of Market and Financial Insights, delivered an insightful presentation that explored key trends in the pharmacy benefits space. They highlighted the evolving clinical landscape, focusing on the potential launches of biosimilars and generics. They also shared insights into the trajectory of new drugs and therapeutic areas, explaining how these developments might impact patients and pharmacy benefit plans. Lastly, they provided perspective on glucagon-like peptide-1s, forecasting trends and outlining the latest pipeline developments.

Presentation: “Pharmacy Benefits: Unpacking the Challenging Legal Landscape”

John Barlament, Shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., took the stage to discuss legislative developments that benefit plans are currently facing or may encounter in the near future. He shared the latest insights on anticipated benefits-related changes under the new administration, along with updates on state-level public policy, fiduciary duties, alternative funding lawsuits, and more.

Networking Reception

The day concluded with a lively networking reception, giving attendees the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and discuss the insights from the day’s presentations.

As we reflect on the productive discussions and insights shared throughout the meeting, we are grateful for the continued support and involvement of our members and partners. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making the meeting a success. We look forward to continued success and innovation in the year ahead!