SBA & CARE Act Economic Disaster Assistance for PharmaciesGo to our new COVID-19 Pharmacy Resources page to learn more about financial relief & assistance options for your pharmacy.
PUTT's 4-Point Plan: How The States RespondedMay 7, 2020
On March 30, 2020, PUTT issued a formal letter including a 4-Point Plan to all state Boards of Pharmacy (BOP), Insurance Commissioners, and Governors in an effort to engage the use of independent pharmacies to combat COVID-19. The plan was simple, straightforward, and would allow pharmacies to relieve pressure on hospital systems while ensuring independent pharmacies remained solvent throughout the crisis. PUTT heard back from a handful of states: The Idaho, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania Boards of Pharmacy responded by thanking us for our suggestions and, in some cases, including additional helpful information while also deferring to their Departments of Insurance and/or Governors' offices. Minnesota's BOP Executive Director took the time to email a more detailed response of the state's efforts in our noted areas of concern both prior to, and during the COVID-19 crisis and included a PDF of documentation for reference going forward. New Mexico's BOP response was unique in that not only did their Executive Director take the time to respond via email, she also immediately reached out to the state's independent pharmacy group requesting detailed information in the 4-Point Plan areas to determine next steps. Maine's BOP informed us that our plan has been added to their May meeting agenda. We will update members on the outcome of the meeting. Continue Reading |
Colorado’s Rural Pharmacies Wrestle Against Big Business to Remain Community Cornerstones1,230 rural pharmacies have closed since 2003, including 45 in Colorado. Some blame benefit management companies that reimburse for medications at less than they cost to buy.
The Colorado Sun
May 11, 2020 The local pharmacy is often the first point of contact with the health care system for rural residents, Mueller said. They can offer triage determining whether an ailment can be treated with over-the-counter drugs or needs a physician. They can check blood pressure, offer flu shots and glucose testing. There is now a push to add testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, to the list. “Rural pharmacies are a cornerstone of their communities, and the pandemic has only heightened that,” said Gina Moore, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. In the past, the loss of a pharmacy came with a pharmacist’s retirement or death, as replacements were nearly impossible to find. Now, pharmacy operators, state officials and health care economists say these small businesses are being pressured by large pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs), middle men between insurance companies and pharmacies. Continue Reading Downloadable Graphic
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