The U.S. drugstore industry is facing significant challenges, with over 7,000 pharmacies closing since 2019, according to data from University of Pittsburgh researcher Lucas Berenbrok. The closures, which include 54% independent drugstores, are attributed to shrinking reimbursements for prescriptions, rising operational costs, and pressures from insurance middlemen. Over the past 10 years, the United States has lost 4,500 pharmacies, both chains and independents, as reported by Fortune. Pharmacists are increasingly understaffed and overworked, leading to unionization efforts at major chains like CVS and Walgreens. The industry is also grappling with issues such as reduced prescription supplies and increased out-of-pocket costs for consumers, as highlighted in an AP story.
Deep dive on the retail #pharmacy shakeout from @mariaaspan @fortune. Article highlights the unfortunate fate of @bartelldrugs following the @RiteAid $RAD acquisition along with overall economci pressures. https://t.co/ovJJGVsAjD
Pharmacists have taken to social media to complain about being understaffed and overworked and kick off a unionization drive at CVS, Walgreens and other pharmacies across the U.S. https://t.co/c6I79CEnHz via @WSJ
Tucson Speaks Out: June 4 letters of the day https://t.co/Dd1Ddtiw9h
"For years, the reimbursement that drugstores receive for filling most prescriptions has shrunk while things like utilities & employee pay continue to climb," from story by AP @tomhpmurphy & @kpananjady https://t.co/OgQzezQxqC
Across US, >7,000 pharmacies have closed since '19, according to data from University of Pittsburgh researcher @LBerenbrok "who considers that estimate conservative." Of those pharmacies, 54% were independent drugstores, an AP analysis of the data found. https://t.co/bf7Gj9YWwP
Over the past 10 years, the United States has lost 4,500 pharmacies. Both chains and independents have been shutting their doors. I chatted with Fortune about the issues with drugstores... https://t.co/hP3SIU57tx
The U.S. drugstore is caught in a perfect storm, ditched by customers and squeezed by insurance middlemen. https://t.co/TaXwDwcCZd
A great piece from friend @mariaaspan on how pharmacies are increasingly the victim of America's extractive and expensive healthcare system. https://t.co/DG6V9LH8VX
It's time for @boltyboy to investigate a teeny corner of the messy world of health insurance, pharmacy and PBMs. Why did @BlueShieldCa & @CVSPharmacy turn his 90 day statin supply into a 30 day one? And who gets the extra $116? https://t.co/kcroFdFvai
Letters to the Editor: Readers Issue Rx for Clogged ERs and Outrageous Out-of-Pocket Costs Curated by @terryism: https://t.co/wJnjSoEoss
Tucson Speaks Out: June 3 letters of the day https://t.co/Czupm6h8wl