Executive of medical devices, biologics, insulin titration using software as a medical device, glucose monitoring and interoperability. Advocate and speaker for all people at risk for and touched by diabetes.
Who wants to receive warm insulin by post because the Koolpak has been exposed to the elements for far too long? Not me. Been there, done that. Access to insulin at retail pharmacies is rapidly declining. In April, 2024 RITEAID PHARMACY announced another 13 stores closing in 5 states, on top of 250 stores closed in October, 2023. Now 25% of Walgreens stores may soon be closing. Some small towns, like mine, only have one pharmacy. My RITEAID 5614 Riteaidpharmacy Healthcare uses just-in-time inventory and has to order #Novolog from a Novo Nordisk distributor every time I fill my prescription. If it closes, I would have to drive 30 minutes to the next closest pharmacy. As if the cost of insulin isn't bad enough, (unless you are a Medicare beneficiary with $35/monthly out of pocket), it is starting to feel like filling a prescription the old-fashioned way will require the cost of owning a car plus gas, or a taxi, or Lyft adding more costs and time to the burden of diabetes self care. #diabetes #insulin #breakthrought1d #fda What say you? David Schweikert Aetna, a CVS Health Company Express Scripts by Evernorth Phlow AmbioPharm - A Global Peptide CDMO Civica Rx Kaiser Permanente
I travel throughout my state as a pharmacist for Rite Aid, and we already have so many patients crying because they don't know where they will be able to get their medications once our company closes more stores. Some of these cities only have 1 pharmacy in town, the next one could be a half hour drive away. Many people cannot drive anymore and rely on their family members to pickup their prescriptions, or use our local delivery system where their order is personally handed off to the patient at their home to ensure the medicine is in good condition at arrival and at the correct location. Many patients have already ran into issues finding a different pharmacy nearby that accepts their private insurance. Other pharmacies are already becoming overwhelmed with the increase in prescription volume, which is going to increase wait time for patients and contribute to more stress/risk of burnout for their staff, meaning higher risk of medication errors. This entire situation is a major concern for our chronically ill and elderly population.
We can help look into this and want to assist. Please email ExpressRxHelp@express-scripts.com your member id, phone number, handle name, date of birth and how we can better assist. Thank you. ^Bw
Network Operations Leader
6moThe closure of so many Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS locations is a consequence of oversaturation, which was done by design over a period of 15+ years to squeeze out their competitors. There are still plenty of pharmacies and I think this consolidation will help make smaller chain and independent pharmacies more conpetetive, especially in an environment of low reimbursement rates from insurance carriers