Pharmacies Squeezed by PBMs | Philadelphia News

Philadelphia News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 13, 2026 · 2m

Independent pharmacies across Pennsylvania are closing at alarming rates as pharmacy benefit managers slash reimbursements so low they barely cover the cost of a bottle and label. Congress is responding with a bipartisan bill to set reimbursement floors and curb PBM patient steering—though initially limited to federal plans. The fallout? Rural communities lose vital health hubs, while some pharmacies like Forward RX are opting out of PBMs entirely to offer transparent, lower-cost alternatives. This crisis exposes a broken system where pharmacists feel squeezed between manufacturers, insurers…