Local pharmacies in Huntsville, Alabama, including Star Discount Pharmacy, are joining forces to address a serious issue they say is hurting their businesses.
They argue that they are being treated unfairly compared to large chain pharmacies, especially when it comes to reimbursement rates set by Pharmacy Benefit Managers PBMs.
Trent McLemore from Star Discount Pharmacy explains that PBMs don’t consider the needs of the pharmacy or the patient when setting prices. Instead, they use services like Good RX to find a price that benefits them and the PBM, leaving local pharmacies with rates so low they can’t even cover the cost of providing the medication.
Bobby Giles from the Alabama Pharmacy Association says the main goal of a pharmacist is to take care of their patients. However, under the current system, it’s becoming harder for them to do that.
Eric Artrip, a lawyer representing the local pharmacies in a lawsuit against PBMs, shares that one pharmacy has already had to close because of these low reimbursement rates.
He warns that if this continues, even more pharmacies, especially in rural areas, may shut down. This would force people to travel much farther to get their prescriptions.
Despite the challenges, McLemore is determined to fight for change, believing the PBMs have overstepped their bounds. He hopes that more pharmacies will join the cause. Artrip agrees that this is a complicated case but believes it’s important for justice for all local pharmacies.