pharmacies

A neurologist, an internist and an infection control expert join the show to discuss what made news in the health care this past month.

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

Companies have blamed closures on declining revenue, be it from falling prescription reimbursement rates, theft or because people are buying front of store items online instead.

The pharmacy chain's CEO says “changes are imminent” for about 25% - or 2,100 - of its underperforming stores. The company currently runs more than 8,600 in the United States.

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.

A rule taking effect Jan. 1 was intended to stop one set of abuses by pharmacy benefit managers, but some pharmacists say it’s enabling these price brokers to simply do new things unfairly.

The nationwide walkout is slated to continue through Wednesday. It's the latest attempt by pharmacists to pressure chains to address concerns about staffing they say lead to burnout and mistakes.

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