It’s not even legal for them to try to compete. Even if someone preferred to pay more for the convenience the brick and mortar shops aren’t allowed to charge a premium over the online pharmacies.
According to one of my local pharmacies (that closed in the last year), there are laws in some states preventing brick and mortar stores from imposing additional fees over online pharmacies. Reference in a sibling comment.
There is no law against a pharmacy owner from charging whatever they want.
However, most pharmacies enter into contracts with various groups, such as the government, insurance companies, etc so that they effectively give away their right to charge what they want.
> There is no law against a pharmacy owner from charging whatever they want.
On closing, one of my local pharmacies claimed otherwise and referenced the following:
> states have enacted legislation prohibiting certain PBM clients from imposing additional co-payments, deductibles, limitation on benefits, or other conditions (“Conditions”) on covered individuals utilizing a retail pharmacy when the same Conditions are not otherwise imposed on covered individuals utilizing home delivery pharmacies. However, the legislation requires the retail pharmacy to agree to the same reimbursement amounts and terms and conditions as are imposed on the home delivery pharmacies.
floxy|11 months ago
What is this referring to? Is there some law that prevents pharmacies from setting their own sales prices?
matheweis|11 months ago
lotsofpulp|11 months ago
However, most pharmacies enter into contracts with various groups, such as the government, insurance companies, etc so that they effectively give away their right to charge what they want.
matheweis|11 months ago
On closing, one of my local pharmacies claimed otherwise and referenced the following:
> states have enacted legislation prohibiting certain PBM clients from imposing additional co-payments, deductibles, limitation on benefits, or other conditions (“Conditions”) on covered individuals utilizing a retail pharmacy when the same Conditions are not otherwise imposed on covered individuals utilizing home delivery pharmacies. However, the legislation requires the retail pharmacy to agree to the same reimbursement amounts and terms and conditions as are imposed on the home delivery pharmacies.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1532063/000153206318...