LANCASTER, Pa. — Independent pharmacies across Pennsylvania say they’re continuing to struggle financially, even after lawmakers passed Act 77 — a bipartisan bill designed to increase transparency and oversight for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

At Hillcrest Pharmacy and Compounding in Lancaster County, owner Melissa Koehler says the situation hasn’t improved. She says PBMs are still reimbursing pharmacies below the cost of the medication, forcing stores to take losses just to fill prescriptions for their patients.

“We definitely want to take care of our neighbors, so we do take losses on quite a few prescriptions,” Koehler said.

In 2024, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed Act 77, which aimed to reform audit practices, cut down on surprise fees and improve payment transparency from PBMs.

See Full Page