Pharmacists are one of the most trusted professions, yet more and more pharmacies are closing. A recent survey (benjaminjolley.substack.com/p/2275-pharmacies-have-closed-so-far?publication_id=72487&post_id=148814481&isFreemail=true&r=21b848&triedRedirect=true&) found 2275 pharmacies have closed so far this year, and every day independent pharmacies are shuttering their doors - often leaving “pharmacy deserts” in their wake.
Vertically-consolidated Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have made it practically impossible for local pharmacies to survive, and we’re all paying the price.
But independent pharmacists are speaking out and pushing back - and they’ve secured wins!
General Counsel for the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Matt Seiler joins MTVA to discuss the current state of community pharmacy, how “shareholder capitalism” got us here, and what comes next. NCPA (ncpa.org/about) is the voice for independent pharmacy, representing the interests of nearly 19,000 community pharmacies across the country.
Despite the challenges facing his industry, Matt is optimistic that desperately-needed PBM reform is on the horizon.
“If there’s one thing that’s brought the political parties together in our country, it’s the dislike for pharmacy benefit managers.”
Listen to learn more about the unique role community pharmacists play in the health system, why PBM consolidation is particularly acute at the local level, and how NCPA has helped secure bipartisan support for reining in PBMs.
Check out the other episodes in our “PBM Problems” series:
Part 1 w/ ERISA Attorney Paul Holmes (www.movingtovalue.org/podcast/episode/ee7684d9/pbm-problems-part-1-who-do-brokers-and-consultants-really-work-for-risks-for-plan-sponsors-with-erisa-attorney-paul-holmes)
Part 2 w/ Mutual Rx CEO Roy Wilkinson (www.movingtovalue.org/podcast/episode/dd2356a4/pbm-problems-part-2-transparency-and-disrupting-the-status-quo-with-mutual-rx-ceo-roy-wilkinson)
Part 3 w/ Luke Slindee, PharmD (www.movingtovalue.org/podcast/episode/273a1f16/pbm-problems-part-3-monopoly-power-in-prescription-drug-markets-with-luke-slindee)
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