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Kansas pharmacists warn of 'pharmacy deserts,' urge reimbursement transparency and greater PBM oversight
Summary
Representatives of the Kansas Pharmacists Association told the Senate committee that rural pharmacy closures have reduced local access to medications, and they urged state action on reimbursement, pricing transparency and oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
Representatives of the Kansas Pharmacists Association told the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance that closures of independent pharmacies have created "pharmacy deserts" in many rural communities and that state action is needed on reimbursement and transparency in payer and PBM contracts.
Sloan Freeman, a pharmacist and independent pharmacy owner, described local pharmacies as community lifelines and said many independently owned stores provide in‑depth medication reviews, deliveries and compounding services. "We do a lot more than just fill the prescription and send it out the door," Freeman said, adding that several pharmacists closed their pharmacies temporarily to attend the committee hearing so they could advocate on behalf of patients.
Tessa Schnelly, a pharmacist and public‑health practitioner who led a study of rural pharmacy access, told senators that Kansas has seen…
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