Reimbursement: Too Low?
Published Online: Friday, January 13th, 2012

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For years, I have heard pharmacists complain that their PBM reimbursement for filling a prescription was too low. My response was always to ask the question, “Why do you agree to terms that in your opinion are too low?” I have heard many excuses but until Walgreens decided to break with Express Script last year I had not seen many pharmacies not sign a contract.

I think what Walgreens did took real leadership with that decision. In the end, I think not only will that decision be good for pharmacy as a whole but also good for Walgreens in the long run. What do you think?

Ajay Jadeja March 14th, 2012 09:03:2009:20:51 PM

It is very disheartning to see to how low our reimbursments have gone down. It is time that all Pharmacies (chains and Independents) should unite to form a Professional Dispensing fee of about $12 per prescription dispensed. It is very insulting to see how the PBM's are reimbursing us based on AMP pricing.

Your comments are valuable to us. Thank you.

Fred Eckel, RPh, MS, Editor-in-Chief of Pharmacy Times

Blog Info

This blog focuses on what our Editor-in-Chief sees as the future of pharmacy.

Author Bio

Fred Eckel, RPh, MS, is the Editor-in-Chief of Pharmacy Times, a position he has held since 2002. Mr. Eckel is a professor at the Edelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He serves as executive director of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists.

In this blog, Eckel will provide commentary on relevant issues impacting pharmacists and pharmacy professionals, including the merging of pharmacy benefit managers, the implications of health care reform, the conversion of major drugs from prescription to over-the-counter, trends in pharmacy careers, and opioid abuse. He will also discuss legislative issues that impact pharmacists, and comment on the evolving role of the pharmacist.