“Insurance company reimbursements to us are so low, we can’t make any money,” said the owner of Brattleboro’s Hotel Pharmacy, whose closure this week drops the number of Vermont mom-and-pops from upward of 50 a decade ago to 16 today.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed H. 353, a bill that addresses patient steering and also requires the state to look into issues such as reimbursement transparency, spread pricing, and other PBM practices that raise costs for patients and plans. Congratulations to the Vermont Pharmacists Association, Vermont Retail Druggists, and all pharmacy advocates for this victory!