October 31st, 2011

Independent pharmacies say that it’s harder for them to make a living filling prescriptions than ever before – and they say mail-order pharmacies are to blame.

The Inquirer reports: “Independent pharmacists are stepping up efforts this month to pass bills in the Pennsylvania Senate and House – H.B. 511 and S.B. 201 – that would, in their words, ‘level the playing field.’ The bills, sponsored by local Republicans, were reintroduced after stalling in the last session. They would ban financial incentives such as lower copayments that channel subscribers to mail-order drugs as well as insurance rules requiring customers to use mail-order. Local pharmacists would get the chance to accept the same terms.”