Mississippi's pharmacies

[Dawgbite]

Mrs was prescribed a half ounce eye drop a few years ago. We have pretty good insurance. That little sucker was over $900 per half ounce bottle and with insurance our out of pocket was $330. This was something that she was going to be using long term. There was no generic equivalent for this drug. With her insurance we have to use CVS for any refillable prescription. The CVS pharmacist was a temporary, he called her back to the office and quietly told her to go back to the Dr and get a written paper prescription and start shopping it at mom and pop pharmacies. Tell them that we don’t have insurance and would be paying cash. We got the same bottle of eye drops for $90 by doing this and paying cash. It’s a racket between the big pharmacies, the drug companies, and the insurance companies.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Because big stores were able to provide more and cheaper goods, but big pharmacies are running up the costs. I'd compare it to what you see with the beef processors today, and Trump just announced they're going to break that up (fingers crossed...). My local store can get my meds to me at less than $10 per script. CVS/Walgreens is over $50 for the same script.

Hmm. Interesting.

I’ve generally had much better service from the chain pharmacies than from smaller privately owned ones.

Freedom Pharmacy in Hattiesburg may be the best privately owned pharmacy I’ve been to in recent years.

 

[Lucifer Morningstar]

But to answer your question. If you have a documented ailment and the paperwork to show it then getting a card is simple. All you need is something written showing whatever ailment you’re claiming. A dispensary will refer you to a Dr who will write the card’s prescription.

You actually do not need paperwork. I showed up with absolutely no paperwork of any kind, and had my card in about ten minutes. The NP filled out all the state paperwork for me, which was not much. Trust me, you do not have to be able to actually prove anything.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Local mom and pop grocery stores died out in the 80s and 90s

This is what’s going on with pharmacies.

Why is this a surprise to people?

Because they won't develop my damn film any longer!**

 

[theoriginalSALTYdog]

I just got back from NYC a few weeks ago. Dispensaries everywhere there but it is legalized now and not just for "medicinal" purposes. Anyway, you can possess up to 3 ounces of bud and up to 24 grams in a concentrated version. That's a lot.

 

[Baddog11]

Why does a town of 3,000 people need 5 different pharmacies to begin with?

If it’s so essential, how are you here today, when your great great great grandparents didn’t have access to the assortment of drugs being thrown into pot.

 

[mstateglfr]

Why does a town of 3,000 people need 5 different pharmacies to begin with?

If it’s so essential, how are you here today, when your great great great grandparents didn’t have access to the assortment of drugs being thrown into pot.

The average US lifespan in 1900 was 47 years old.

 

[The Peeper]

I've got mixed feelings about pharmacies. I've had small independents that I have used that were awesome, I've got one now that I use when I go get a prescription for flu, strep, etc that is locally diagnosed and I can get on my way out the door of the Doc because its next door. Doc sends it electronically there and by the time I get there they usually have it filled and waiting.

But, I've got 3 prescriptions that I take daily and will forever that get mailed to me free a week before I run out of my current bottle and are always on time and cheap as hell (less than $5 per month) and I never have to call the pharmacy for refill, never have to stand in line w/ sick people, and I get a year end statement showing what I've spent that keeps our cafeteria plan up to date.

 

[peewee.sixpack]

From AI:

Major Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) own and operate their own retail, mail-order, and specialty pharmacies, creating massive vertical integration in the healthcare sector.
Drug Channels +1


Major PBM-Owned Pharmacy Networks

• • CVS Caremark: Owned by CVS Health, which also operates CVS Pharmacy retail stores and specialty operations.
  • Express Scripts: Owned by Cigna, which includes mail-order and specialty facilities like Accredo and Express Scripts Pharmacy.
  • OptumRx: Owned by UnitedHealth Group, which runs Optum-affiliated specialty, infusion, and mail-order pharmacies.
    

Why PBM Ownership Matters

• • Patient Steering: PBMs often redirect patients away from local independent pharmacies toward their own mail-order or specialty units.
    
    
  • Conflict of Interest: Vertically integrated companies set reimbursement rates for rival pharmacies while paying their own affiliated locations higher margins.
    YouTube·WLOX News +1
    
  • Spread Pricing: PBMs can charge health plans and employers a higher price for drugs while reimbursing dispensing pharmacies less, pocketing the price difference.

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

From AI:

Major Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) own and operate their own retail, mail-order, and specialty pharmacies, creating massive vertical integration in the healthcare sector.
Drug Channels +1


Major PBM-Owned Pharmacy Networks

• • CVS Caremark: Owned by CVS Health, which also operates CVS Pharmacy retail stores and specialty operations.
  • Express Scripts: Owned by Cigna, which includes mail-order and specialty facilities like Accredo and Express Scripts Pharmacy.
  • OptumRx: Owned by UnitedHealth Group, which runs Optum-affiliated specialty, infusion, and mail-order pharmacies.

Why PBM Ownership Matters

• • Patient Steering: PBMs often redirect patients away from local independent pharmacies toward their own mail-order or specialty units.
    
    
  • Conflict of Interest: Vertically integrated companies set reimbursement rates for rival pharmacies while paying their own affiliated locations higher margins.
    YouTube·WLOX News +1
  • Spread Pricing: PBMs can charge health plans and employers a higher price for drugs while reimbursing dispensing pharmacies less, pocketing the price difference.

O.K., AOC...

Why do you hate America?

The PBMs are just making things more convenient for the uninformed consumer.

Is that so wrong?

 

[peewee.sixpack]

O.K., AOC...

Why do you hate America?

The PBMs are just making things more convenient for the uninformed consumer.

Is that so wrong?

If you ever think going to CVS or Walgreens is more convenient than most independent pharmacies I got ocean front property in West Point for you.

 

[dickiedawg]

First thing I thought when I opened this thread.

Ocular assault needs to be a recognized crime!

They don’t bother me in general nearly as much as it does some people, but this one in particular looks like an ad for a Labor Day sale.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

If you ever think going to CVS or Walgreens is more convenient than most independent pharmacies I got ocean front property in West Point for you.

CVS is much more convenient for me.

I’ve had procedures done in different cities in Mississippi the past several years, and I have had pick up prescribed meds in those cities. CVS is good at that.

I live and work in the Jackson area, but sometimes I have plans other than going back to the house after work. When I’m also due for booster shots in those instances, I’ll schedule myself to go to a CVS other than the one I usually go to.

I agree that Walgreens sucks. I used to go there but their service has gotten worse in the past few years.

 

[JY1947]

The problem with local pharmacies mainly stems from PBMs cutting deals with chain pharmacies and trying to force patients there. Specifically, local pharmacies lose money by filling more expensive name brand scripts (including all of the ozempic/Mounjaro type shots). So that’s a big chunk of lost revenue right there. And then patients say, well if I gotta get one or two meds at a chain pharmacy, I might as well get all of mine from there. So the local pharmacy loses their business all together.
if anyone one on here is a PBM or wants to offer something good about them, I’m all ears, but I’ve yet to since they’ve been in existence.

PBMs also reimburse chain pharmacies at a higher rate vs independent pharmacy because they usually own the chain pharmacy.

 

[TheDawg-Pound]

PBM should be outlawed. Arkansas did it and CVS left. That just shows how much corruption is in it.

 

[TheDawg-Pound]

This guy use to have his own Instagram page. Now it's deleted. I'm sure that you can imagine what happened.

 

[85Bears]

A lot of the independent pharmacies are arguing that pharmacy benefit managers are putting them out of business, but they are doing a terrible job explaining it. I think there are may be real anti-trust type abuses where there is common ownership of PBMs and chain pharmacies and they are using that to hammer independents, but when you hear pharmacists talk about it, it sounds like they are complaining about chains having economies of scale. There was legislation they were pushing to "fix it", but it did not pass I don't think.

lol. Chains are eliminating mom and pop…..small business.

 

[The Cooterpoot]

Hmm. Interesting.

I’ve generally had much better service from the chain pharmacies than from smaller privately owned ones.

Freedom Pharmacy in Hattiesburg may be the best privately owned pharmacy I’ve been to in recent years.

Wouldn't trade my local pharmacy for any other. Lucky to have one here at all, much less a good one. And if they don't think they can fill it fast enough or cheap enough based on insurance, they'll tell me where to go.

 

[85Bears]

O.K., AOC...

Why do you hate America?

The PBMs are just making things more convenient for the uninformed consumer.

Is that so wrong?

No they are eliminating all small business , local mom and pop ownership….creating a monopoly. once a monopoly is created you will be at their mercy. that’s not AOC…..

 

[idog]

A lot of the independent pharmacies are arguing that pharmacy benefit managers are putting them out of business, but they are doing a terrible job explaining it. I think there are may be real anti-trust type abuses where there is common ownership of PBMs and chain pharmacies and they are using that to hammer independents, but when you hear pharmacists talk about it, it sounds like they are complaining about chains having economies of scale. There was legislation they were pushing to "fix it", but it did not pass I don't think.

Just google “PBM reform Mississippi”. The problem is big pharma and PBM’s have really deep pockets and our legislators are tired of hearing about it. Ultimately they are mostly in the pockets of the PBM’s. Pharmacists lost this game a long time ago when the majority of them sold out to work for commercial chains. PBM’s are creating monopolies but I doubt the government breaks them up. There’s too much money in the game.

 

[StuckOnStupid69]

Just google “PBM reform Mississippi”. The problem is big pharma and PBM’s have really deep pockets and our legislators are tired of hearing about it. Ultimately they are mostly in the pockets of the PBM’s. Pharmacists lost this game a long time ago when the majority of them sold out to work for commercial chains. PBM’s are creating monopolies but I doubt the government breaks them up. There’s too much money in the game.

Mississippi is projected to lose $5.4 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade following federal spending reductions enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

This is going to really hurt hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies.

 

[TheDawg-Pound]

Mississippi is projected to lose $5.4 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade following federal spending reductions enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

This is going to really hurt hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies.

How many private owned clinics are there now compared in 2005? When the government gets involved, small businesses dissolve.

Look at insurance ceo salaries and then look at how much of their companies are subsidized by the government with payments.

You also can't "double dip" with the government and that's what cvs is doing with the PBMs and pharmacies.

The big chain pharmacies also over work their employees and a lot of customers don't treat them well because long lines, etc.

Local pharmacies can transfer prescriptions. They can't transfer scheduled meds though.

You doctor can also resend your meds to a different pharmacy out of state.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Mississippi is projected to lose $5.4 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade following federal spending reductions enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

This is going to really hurt hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies.

Member since 2013, 20 posts. What name do you normally post with?

 

[StuckOnStupid69]

Member since 2013, 20 posts. What name do you normally post with?

supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

 

[CoastTrash]

I remember when the folks that now support tariffs and government intervention in the pharmacy market said "centralized government planning" doesn't work. "Let the market decide".

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

I remember when the folks that now support tariffs and government intervention in the pharmacy market said "centralized government planning" doesn't work. "Let the market decide".

And the market has decided Mom and Pop shops have got to go! Capital rules!