We Can Win The Pharmacy Profitability Revolution

In the fall of 1777, George Washington and his army of about 12,000 troops retreated to Valley Forge, PA.  He had just been badly beaten by the British who went on to capture Philadelphia, which at the time was the capital of the United States.  Under normal circumstances the revolution would have been over.

But Washington and his battle-weary troops did not surrender. During their time in Valley Forge moral was drained as thousands froze to death or died of starvation.  Those that stayed made soup out of the leather of their boots.  Yet,  during tough times Washington found creative ways to solve problems and prepare for the future.  By thinking outside of the box he marched out of Valley forge with a smaller, but more disciplined, dedicated Army.  Then he and his troops went on to beat the worlds largest Army.   

Here’s the point.  Pharmacy has been severely impacted by PBM abuses.  These powerful companies have driven down reimbursement and negatively affected patient care.  But, fortunately, just like Washington at Valley Forge, independent community pharmacy is finding creative new ways to overcome problems.  

State, national and other pharmacy organizations are beginning to win battles on the legal and legislative front.   And, progress is happening on the cognitive services front. CPESN is training thousands of pharmacists on how to provide new, more and better patient care.  Then, by working together these pharmacies are successfully approaching government agencies, physician groups, and payers and getting paid for providing enhanced care services. 

The challenges confronting independent community pharmacy are enormous.  But the tools necessary to win the battles are in place.  They are tried, tested and proven.  Still, it requires thousands of pharmacies to change their practice paradigm.  Then these pharmacy owners need to "talk-up” and explain the value of their services to patients, family caregivers, commercial payers and prescribers. 

It is a tough job.  We are fighting a payment revolution; but the little guys have a history of winning these kinds of battles.  We can do this if we stick together.