Pharmacies

Criticism of prescription drug middlemen has intensified recently in the wake of a federal agency’s actions and legislative reform attempts.

President Joe Biden is campaigning on his efforts to cut drug costs for Medicare patients. But independent pharmacists say one strategy makes it unaffordable for them to keep some brand-name medicines in stock.

Independent pharmacists say they're losing money on many prescriptions they fill. “It’s just a lot of different elements in the system all at once," says a pharmacy assistant professor at FAMU.

An AP analysis shows Black and Latino urban neighborhoods have fewer pharmacies per capita than white majority areas. Also, Alaska, Oregon and New Mexico are among states with the fewest pharmacies per capita.

As national distributors and pharmacies restricted the flow of painkillers in response to the opioid crisis, Publix did the opposite, according to a Tampa Bay Times/KFF Health News data analysis.

The company said that customers in College Station, Texas, can now get prescriptions delivered by a drone within an hour of placing their order.

Drug shortages continue as Florida health care experts navigate what some expect to be the new normal of pharmacy.

The bill is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who during his annual State of the State address in March called for making PBM changes.

The Senate Health Policy Committee approved the bill, while the House Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee is slated to take up its version on Tuesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to add controls on so-called middlemen in prescription transactions. Independent pharmacy owners have complained that PBMs have taken control of the financial market in the business.

Some pharmacies were small, independent operations that decided not to participate next year because of the lowered reimbursements. But they were surprised by an early dismissal, and patients with specialized needs could face difficulties in the transition.

Small pharmacies have long complained about benefit managers, which represent health insurers in negotiations with drug companies and pharmacies