03/07/2026
Why it is so important to support local community pharmacies. We love our Flintstone community and want to continue provide exceptional healthcare to our patients.
🚨 LONG EDUCATIONAL POST 🚨
You may have seen news headlines say that over 100 CVS pharmacies may be forced to close in Tennessee if SB 2040/HB 1959 passes… Let’s break down this scare tactic, and keep in mind, CVS operated beforehand without being owned by a PBM. Also ask yourself how many independently owned pharmacies have been forced to close because of healthcare monopolization through vertical integration by owning the insurance company, the PBM, and the pharmacy 🤔
Many people don’t realize why so many independent pharmacies are disappearing, but a big part of the problem is something called PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers).
PBMs are companies that manage prescription drug benefits for insurance plans. The three largest PBMs control the majority of prescriptions in the U.S., and some of them also own their own pharmacies. One example is CVS Caremark, which is owned by CVS Health.
When a PBM both controls the prescription benefit AND owns the pharmacy, it creates a major conflict of interest. They decide how much pharmacies get paid for medications, which pharmacies patients are encouraged (or forced) to use, and what drugs are covered.
Too often, independent pharmacies are reimbursed below what the medication actually costs them to purchase, while PBM-owned pharmacies receive preferential treatment. This makes it incredibly difficult for small, community pharmacies to survive even though they are often the most accessible healthcare providers in rural and underserved areas.
The result?
Across the country, and right here in Tennessee, hundreds of independent pharmacies have been forced to close their doors.
Tennessee SB 2040 / HB 1959 is legislation aimed at addressing this problem. The bill would help prevent PBMs from steering patients to pharmacies they own and bring more fairness and transparency to how pharmacies are reimbursed.
This isn’t about politics.
It’s about protecting patient access to local healthcare and ensuring small businesses have a fair chance to compete.
Independent pharmacies provide:
• Personalized care
• Medication counseling
• Vaccines and health screenings
• Access to medications in communities where large chains may not operate
If independent pharmacies disappear, many communities will lose one of their most trusted and accessible healthcare providers.
Supporting reforms like HB 1959 and SB 2040 helps protect patient choice, fair competition, and the future of local pharmacies.
