San Francisco is addressing pharmacy closures by investigating a cooperative procurement model, aiming to bypass intermediaries like pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Supervisor Jackie Fielder has requested an analysis from the Budget and Legislative Analyst’s office to understand the causes of recent pharmacy shutdowns and to explore support for independent pharmacies. The proposed co-op would allow local pharmacies to purchase medications directly, potentially lowering costs and improving access to essential drugs, especially in underserved areas. This initiative parallels efforts by investor Mark Cuban to disrupt traditional drug distribution models.
Following more than 50 pharmacy closures in recent years, San Francisco is exploring whether the city could create a cooperative model to cut the middleman out of prescription procurement.
One idea could be to allow the city to purchase certain medications in bulk and local pharmacies could purchase directly from, rather than going through pharmacy benefit managers.
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