A decline in drug insurance reimbursement rates and increased pharmacy fees continue to be a tough pill to swallow for ALL pharmacies across the United States. This issue has forced many pharmacies in recent months to make the difficult decision to limit services or close their doors – leaving a negative impact that is felt by patients both far and wide, as it hinders the access individuals have to medications and other healthcare services. Patients in rural areas are particularly affected by the loss of pharmacies, as there may not be another place to obtain healthcare services anywhere close by; this not only creates pharmacy deserts but can also limit one’s overall access to medical care. Today, we will be having a special two-part series of the show, introducing everyone to US House Bill HR 1770, also known as the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act. In this unique two-episode show, we will feature a different member of the United States House of Representatives in each episode. In our first episode, we will sit down with US Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing the 7th district in the state of Alabama for the Democratic party to see her thoughts on the bill, and for our second episode, we will interview US Congressman Robert Aderholt representing the 4th district of Alabama for the Republican party to do the same. The same set of questions were used for both representatives to gain their insight on this bipartisan bill to see what can be done to try and help community pharmacy practice in the future.

A decline in drug insurance reimbursement rates and increased pharmacy fees continue to be a tough pill to swallow for ALL pharmacies across the United States. This issue has forced many pharmacies in recent months to make the difficult decision to limit services or close their doors – leaving a negative impact that is felt by patients both far and wide, as it hinders the access individuals have to medications and other healthcare services. Patients in rural areas are particularly affected by the loss of pharmacies, as there may not be another place to obtain healthcare services anywhere close by; this not only creates pharmacy deserts but can also limit one’s overall access to medical care. Today, we will be having a special two-part series of the show, introducing everyone to US House Bill HR 1770, also known as the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act. In this unique two-episode show, we will feature a different member of the United States House of Representatives in each episode. In our first episode, we will sit down with US Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing the 7th district in the state of Alabama for the Democratic party to see her thoughts on the bill, and for our second episode, we will interview US Congressman Robert Aderholt representing the 4th district of Alabama for the Republican party to do the same. The same set of questions were used for both representatives to gain their insight on this bipartisan bill to see what can be done to try and help community pharmacy practice in the future.

Today we will talk with Dr. Cherry Jackson, professor of pharmacy at Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy and clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Jackson will discuss everything about mental health from what it is, how to help to manage it, and the role that COVID-19 has played in worsening mental health. We’ll also introduce you to the new emergency phone number to dial in the case of a mental health emergency… 9-8-8! 

We will continue on the second and final part of our Pharmacy In Peril: What’s Really Happening Behind the Counter Series as now we will learn from a front line pharmacist how these fees and reimbursement models from drug insurance companies, in particular the pharmacy benefit managers otherwise known as PBMs, are causing pharmacy services to suffer and overall your safety as the patient is at risk! Today we bring back Dr. Patrick Devereux, pharmacy manager and company president of Family Medical Services, Inc. which is comprised of four independent pharmacies in central AL as he gives us an unfortunate update how the current payment structure from PBMs mostly related to DIR fees are doing since the last time he spoke with us in 2020 and showcases to us what the DIR hangover of 2024 is all about. These fees have only gotten worse and continue to rob pharmacies of services and rob patients of appropriate care.  

Community pharmacy practice has been in the news quite a bit lately due to walkouts happening across the nation. Tensions are also rising about the decade long flawed payment scheme in our nation, initiated by drug insurance companies, which is paying pharmacies less than what it costs pharmacies to dispense the medication. This backward business takes away significant dollars from pharmacies and has already led to many pharmacy closures over the years… putting patient safety and your individual health at risk! Today we bring in the current chief executive officer and executive vice president of the American Pharmacists Association, Dr. Michael Hogue, as part of special two part series sharing perspectives and expertise on the status of community practice today and how these fees and payment structures from PBMs are causing serious side effects to pharmacies near you which will affect all of us if the problem is not fixed in time.