Drug Topics June 30, 2025
Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens and chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, discussed the current status of retail pharmacies and the way they are reimbursed.
Legislators representing both the federal and state government have continuously advocated for changes in the way pharmacies are reimbursed for clinical services and dispensing medications. However, many attempts have failed as retail and independent pharmacy locations continue to face closures and burnout stemming from pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reimbursement practices.
“Pharmacists, they’re not merchants,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens and chairman of the board with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. “Yes, the current model directly ties reimbursement disproportionately to the margin of the drugs being...
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