In this episode of CPhT Connect, host Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv, sits down with Julia Kravtsova, PharmD, the Pharmacy Director at QuickRx Specialty Pharmacy, to explore her nearly two-decade journey in the field and her mission to dismantle the barriers to medication access.
Julia shares her unique “origin story”—sparked not by a textbook, but by the kindness of a local pharmacist she witnessed as a child—and discusses how that early impression shaped her own clinical philosophy. We dive into her 11-year foundation at Walgreens, where she managed some of the busiest locations in the country, and why she believes pharmacy technicians are the true front line and the ultimate deciders of a patient’s experience.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The Retail Reality: Julia’s experience navigating the intense world of NYC retail and the lessons learned from “floating” across Times Square, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.
- The Pivot to Specialty: Why Julia moved from high-volume community pharmacy to a specialized role focused on medication access and insurance navigation.
- The Power of the Technician: A pharmacist’s perspective on why technicians are essential leaders and how they can immediately impact patient care.
- Advocacy Beyond the Counter: Julia’s dedication to the MS community and her work with the MS Focus: Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
- Navigating Industry Trends: A look at the evolving landscape of pharmacy, from workplace safety to the future of specialty care.
About Our Guest:
Julia Kravtsova earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy at Long Island University. As the Pharmacy Director at QuickRx, she focuses on ensuring patients can afford and access life-changing treatments. Outside the pharmacy, she is a passionate advocate for those living with multiple sclerosis, supporting events like the Focus In Fashion Gala and Roll Over MS.
Listen now to hear Julia’s perspective on why the heart of pharmacy is—and always will be—the human connection.
For links, show notes, and resources from today’s episode, visit CPhTConnect.com
