St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Pharmacy benefit managers drive independent pharmacies out

By Connie Farrow, Patients Come First Missouri Executive Director

The article “St. Louis’ small pharmacies are closing. ‘We can’t afford to stay open’” (Dec. 16) spotlighted how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) use their significant power over prescription drug access and prices to squeeze out independent pharmacies.

Many of our most vulnerable residents use community pharmacies because of the customer service, quality of care and extended service they provide. When these pharmacies close, we can see gaps in access to medicines and overall healthcare.

Deep discounts and rebates are often available, but often these savings are not shared with the patients for whom they are intended. This is due to a lack of transparency and accountability mechanisms within the pharmacy supply chain.

Pharmacies that cannot meet PBM demands are unable to acquire or sell the drug, meaning that patients at certain locations will not be able to access the treatments they need from the pharmacy of their choice.

Read the full letter-to-the-editor in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch here.