Number of independent pharmacies in U.S. increasing
https://www.chaindrugreview.com/number-of-independent-pharmacies-in-u-s-increasing/
WASHINGTON — The number of independent pharmacies in the United States increased in 2020, according to a new analysis of pharmacy data. Pharmacy data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, analyzed by the healthcare analytics firm Quest Analytics, shows the overall number of independent pharmacy stores increased by 449 between January 2020 and January 2021.
The analysis of new pharmacy store data also continues to show an overall 10-year positive trend for retail independent pharmacy openings in the U.S. Today, there are 2,645 more independent pharmacies than there were in 2011, which is almost a 13% increase over 10 years.
View Infographic on Pharmacy Data: Nationwide, More Independent Pharmacies in 2020.
“Neighborhood pharmacies play an important role in helping patients access their prescription drugs, a role made all the more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. This data sets the record straight that independent pharmacies continued to do well in 2020. Overall, there are more community pharmacies today than 10 years ago. Federal and state lawmakers should avoid enacting policies based on a misperception about pharmacy closure rates, especially when those policies risk increasing drug costs for patients at exactly the wrong time,” said Pharmaceutical Care Management Association president and CEO JC Scott. “Independent pharmacies, PBMs, and others in the drug supply and payment chain have worked together during the pandemic and should continue to focus on helping patients access affordable prescription drugs and lead healthier lives.”
Filed under: General Problems
I switched to a local pharmacy after being with Rite Aid for over 20+ years. Rite Aid would not hold my 3 months of scripts for my pain medication. Every month, I would go to Rite Aid and be told they were out of the meds and I would have to have them call around to another store to locate them, often involving a lot of driving. Then the other stores started refusing to fill stating that there was only enough for their customers. A script in 1 Rite Aid should be good in any Rite Aid in the same state. The straw that broke the camels back, came when they told me on the day my script ran out it would be a least 10 days for a refill, as they were ordered. I took my script left and went to the local pharmacy started by a former Rite Aid pharmacist. Because my scripts are held and filled on 1st day they can be I’m not short and chasing around trying to find a store that have them. I’m paying a bit more but so worth it for not having all the headaches of chasing my meds down while in pain.
your experience could explain that a new independent pharmacy opens every 2-3 weeks… and mostly by Pharmacist that use to work for one of the LARGE IMPERSONAL CHAINS
anyone who would like to find their local “friendly” independent pharmacist… here is link to find one by zip code https://ncpa.org/pharmacy-locator
That’s encouraging. Cut those creepy PBMs off at the knees.
Wow That’s a big surprise to me. And a great one!
Maybe its all the pharmacists tired of being over worked
And told what to do?? Whatever the reason I’m happy!