American Pharmacies

𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐢𝐬 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 Yesterday, independent pharmacy owners from across Texas came together for an important discussion with Senator @LoisKolkhorst, Chair of the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee, co-hosted by American Pharmacies (APRx) and the @TXpharmAssn. The conversation focused on the reimbursement challenges threatening the sustainability of community pharmacies, the impact on patient access to care, and the importance of protecting patients’ right to choose where they receive their medications and pharmacy services. We appreciate Senator Kolkhorst taking the time to hear directly from pharmacy owners about the challenges they face and the patients and communities they serve. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped bring the voices of Texas community pharmacies to the table. Strong community pharmacies mean stronger Texas communities. #AmericanPharmacies #TexasPharmacyAssociation #CommunityPharmacy #PatientChoice #PharmacyAdvocacy

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐁𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 Independent pharmacies should never have to fear retaliation for speaking up and advocating for reform! Thank you to U.S. House Oversight Chairman James Comer for his continued commitment to protecting independent pharmacies and holding PBMs accountable. His latest investigation into potentially retaliatory pharmacy audits following support for H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, sends an important message: independent pharmacists have every right to advocate for their patients, their businesses, and meaningful PBM reform without fear of intimidation. We appreciate Chairman Comer’s leadership and his willingness to ask the tough questions! Read the full press release: ow.ly/vKzR5100EAJ #PBMReform #IndependentPharmacy #PharmacistsFightBack #AmericanPharmacies

Thank you to Texas State Rep. Trey Wharton for taking the time to visit Norman’s Pharmacy in Brenham and hear firsthand about the challenges facing community pharmacies. APRx member and @TXpharmAssn Board Member Kendra Korthauer was joined by APRx Director of Advocacy & External Affairs Brandi Chane and TPA’s Karen Reagan for an important discussion about the realities independent pharmacies face and the need to protect patient access to local pharmacy care. We appreciate Rep. Wharton’s willingness to listen, engage, and be part of these important conversations about the future of community pharmacy in Texas!

The continuing legal battle between Arkansas and #pbms may have implications beyond healthcare. FULL STORY: bit.ly/4Bbufdj

𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬' 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 With six pharmacies closing in Michigan just in the past six weeks, American Pharmacies brought its Independent Pharmacy Closure Crisis Roundtable series to Marinco Pharmacy in the Detroit neighborhood of Hazel Park on October 12 with greater urgency. Hosted and moderated by American Pharmacies EVP and General Counsel Miguel Rodriguez, the discussion brought together APRx member Matt Marinco (Marinco Pharmacy), Mike Nabolsi (Warriors Pharmacy) and John Gross (Michigan Indep. Pharm. Assoc. & APRx Director) and patients with Michigan State Senators Kevin Hertel and Sylvia Santana, State Representative Mike McFall to address the growing pharmacy closure crisis and the urgent need for PBM reform. “When my patient comes in the door, I know them. I know their family. I know their medical history,” shared Marinco. Michigan State Senator Kevin Hertel said: “What we're seeing too often is the big corporate guys that are just trying to get as much business as possible in order to maximize that profit. We've got to stop that from happening.” Media outlets across the state are shining a spotlight on the financial pressures threatening community pharmacies and the patients who depend on them. This marks the fifth roundtable American Pharmacies held across Michigan, following discussions in Clare, Clio, Grand Rapids, and Jackson. Thank you to our host, participating legislators, pharmacy owners, and patients for continuing these important conversations. Five roundtables, communities across Michigan, and one shared goal: protecting patient access to independent pharmacy care. For more information on coverage, see links below. wdet.org/2026/10/13/detroit-… wemu.org/michigan-news/2026-… clickondetroit.com/news/loca… youtube.com/watch?v=Gkx4fcXd… 999ycountry.com/2026/10/13/i… wsjm.com/2026/10/13/independ… thegreatvoice.com/Episode/in… #AmericanPharmacies #PBMReform #SaveIndependentPharmacy #MichiganPharmacy

𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐆 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐲, 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), alleging the insurer conspired with other Blue Cross entities to eliminate competition, inflate premiums, and drive healthcare provider reimbursements below the cost of care. According to the AG's office, BCBSM controls 65% of Michigan's health insurance market and 79% of its PPO market. The lawsuit alleges that this market dominance has allowed BCBSM to impose reimbursement cuts that force healthcare providers to reduce services, eliminate staff, close facilities, or leave the state altogether. The AG points to the closure of Sturgis Hospital, cuts to physical therapy reimbursement, and the recent Michigan Medicine contract dispute as examples of the consequences for providers and patients. These allegations echo the challenges independent pharmacies have faced for years: concentrated market power, below-cost reimbursement, and the loss of essential healthcare access in our communities. Different healthcare providers. Familiar concerns about market concentration, below-cost reimbursement, and disappearing access to care. As Attorney General Nessel stated: “Today we brought this lawsuit for the millions of Michigan households, patients, parents, providers, doctors, small business owners, large employers and taxpayers, and consumers everywhere that are paying the price for Blue Cross’s unchecked market power.” The allegations remain to be decided in court, but the questions they raise about competition, reimbursement, and patient access extend well beyond Michigan. Read the AG's complaint: michigan.gov/ag/-/media/Proj… #Michigan #Antitrust #HealthcareCompetition #IndependentPharmacy #PatientAccess #PBMReform

Thank you to @RepAuchincloss for an important policy discussion on James Island, South Carolina, alongside Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT) @TruthRX and @yourSCPhA. A key focus was H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back Act in FEHBP, bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Auchincloss and House Oversight Committee Chairman @JamesComer to bring meaningful PBM reform to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The bill establishes transparent pharmacy reimbursement based on NADAC + 4% + a professional dispensing fee, prohibits PBM steering to affiliated pharmacies, ensures manufacturer rebates benefit patients, and strengthens PBM transparency and accountability. H.R. 6610 was advanced by the House Oversight Committee with an overwhelming 40–2 bipartisan vote. APRx members Walter Hughes and Walt Hughes III of Sadler-Hughes Apothecary were joined by Brandi Chane, APRx Director of Advocacy & External Affairs, and David Harrison, Regional Territory Manager, to support our members and these important conversations around independent pharmacy and PBM reform. We’re grateful for every opportunity to bring independent pharmacy voices directly to policymakers and advance solutions that protect patient access and pharmacy choice. #IndependentPharmacy #PBMReform #PharmacistsFightBack #HR6610 #APRx

Thank you to APRx Board Chairman Steve Hoffart for bringing the voice of community pharmacy to the Texas Capitol. His testimony highlighted pharmacists’ vital role in women’s health, access to affordable medications and the barriers patients face when PBMs steer them away from their trusted local pharmacy. #txlege

Every community pharmacy has a story, and on September 16, American Pharmacies members brought theirs to Washington. The 4th Annual Congressional Fly-In connected independent pharmacists with lawmakers for conversations about the pressures threatening their businesses and the patients who depend on them. Through photos, member perspectives and highlights from Capitol Hill, the full report captures a day of shared purpose and the year-round advocacy that makes these conversations possible. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 & 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬: ow.ly/iSWs50ZTKzh

𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐁𝐌 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐒𝐔𝐈𝐓 Florida @AGJamesUthmeier announced a new lawsuit today against CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx, along with major insulin manufacturers and rebate aggregators, alleging price fixing, anticompetitive conduct and deceptive trade practices. Uthmeier didn’t mince words: “Sometimes when you have big corporations choosing profit over public safety, choosing profit over patients… we’ve got to pick up the sword and we have to fight.” He cited evidence that, on a $280 vial of Humalog, roughly $210 was returned through rebates and discounts negotiated behind closed doors. His message on enforcement was equally direct: “The law means nothing if you don’t enforce it.” American Pharmacies was proud to be represented at today’s press conference by Director of Advocacy & External Affairs Brandi Chane and AP member Dawn Butterfield of West Cocoa Pharmacy and Compounding, joining Florida pharmacy leaders as the announcement was made. Florida is seeking injunctive relief, restitution, disgorgement, damages and civil penalties, and Uthmeier indicated additional actions involving prescription drug pricing may be ahead. #PBMReform #IndependentPharmacy #Antitrust #DrugPricing #Insulin

𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐁𝐌 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐁𝐌𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 Today, the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on the constitutionality of Arkansas Act 624, a first-of-its-kind law which prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from directly or indirectly owning, operating, or holding retail and mail-order pharmacy permits within Arkansas. The law has been put on hold while PBMs challenge its constitutionality. The Court of Appeals will decide whether the law must remain on hold as the underlying legal challenge is heard in the trial court. The PBMs argue Act 624 discriminatorily blocks out-of-state entities from participating in the state's pharmacy market. During oral argument, the judges expressed skepticism toward the PBMs’ position. The judges obtained the PBM attorney’s acknowledgment that Act 624 would prohibit all vertical integration, whether the PBM is based out of Arkansas or in Arkansas, thereby directly undermining the PBMs’ primary argument. The judges also were concerned that accepting the PBMs’ argument would hamper state antitrust enforcement more generally. Arkansas’s attorney made clear that Act 624 applied equally to in-state and out-of-state PBMs and therefore did not violate the U.S. Constitution’s Dormant Commerce Clause and effectively addressed all of the PBMs’ discussion points, even noting that the PBMs were relying on statements from a single legislator in a podcast to argue discriminatory intent. A decision by the Court of Appeals is expected within months.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐱 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐥𝐲-𝐈𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬! Thank you to all our members and pharmacy allies who joined us in Washington, D.C., met with legislators and helped make this year’s Fly-In so impactful. Your voices, dedication and advocacy continue to strengthen our fight for meaningful PBM reform. Stay tuned for photos and highlights from the event. We look forward to doing it again and continuing the fight to protect independent pharmacy and the communities we serve! #APRxFederalFlyIn #PBMReform #IndependentPharmacy #PharmacyAdvocacy

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐁𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 Four HomeTown Pharmacy locations have permanently closed in Michigan, with HomeTown identifying the “continuing financial strain caused by pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reimbursement practices” as the primary driver behind the closures. The company says pharmacies are routinely asked to dispense medications at reimbursement rates that fail to cover the actual cost of acquiring and providing them. The closures include HomeTown Pharmacy Copper Ridge, HomeTown Pharmacy Muskegon, Sixth Street Drugs, and HomeTown Pharmacy Medical Campus (formerly Foster’s), with three of the four locations in Traverse City. “When an independent pharmacy closes, Michigan loses more than a place to fill prescriptions. It loses accessible healthcare infrastructure,” said Miguel Rodriguez, EVP & General Counsel at American Pharmacies. The closures add to an alarming trend. Of approximately 272 pharmacies that closed in Michigan in 2024, 91 were independent pharmacies. HomeTown is calling for meaningful reform to bring greater transparency, accountability and sustainability to the prescription drug payment system. American Pharmacies agrees. Michigan cannot afford to keep losing its community pharmacies. Meaningful PBM reform cannot wait. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 🔗ow.ly/g0m150ZJwGY 🔗ow.ly/EGue50ZJwGW 🔗ow.ly/NXyO50ZJwGT 🔗ow.ly/q2Lp50ZJwGX