Davidsville pharmacy to close

DAVIDSVILLE ― Mainline Pharmacy in the borough has announced on social media that it is closing, effective March 6.

"This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the impact it may have on you and your loved ones," the post said.

With the Rite Aid acquisition, customer records will be accessible. The Rite Aid at 1501 Scalp Ave., Johnstown, will receive customer records, but any of the Rite Aid locations can retrieve Mainline's profiles, according to the Mainline post.

The Somerset location has a different partnership that operates outside of the traditional PBM model and will remain open, it said.

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Economic pressures too much

The Mainline Pharmacy, 118 N. Main St., Davidsville, said independently owned retail pharmacies are facing immense economic pressures from Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). The PBMs contract with the insurance company and the pharmacy.

The post said in 2023 the pharmacy filled more prescriptions than it has in any of the more than 40 years in business. But more than 30% of these prescriptions the pharmacy is being paid less by the PBMs than what it cost to purchase the medication from the wholesaler. And for the first six weeks of 2024, the pharmacy has filled 17,574 prescriptions for a total loss of more than $350,000, according to the post.

"Every day we are forced to fill prescriptions for $20, $50, $100, $200+ under our purchase price," the post said. "Unless regulatory actions are taken to address the practices of PBMs, the future of independent retail pharmacies is bleak."

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These losses do not include expenses like salaries, rent, utilities, PBM fees, government fees, insurance and packaging costs, according to the social media post.

"Your loyalty, as well as the loyalty and hard work of employees, are the main reasons we have managed to hold out as long as we have. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where continuing operations in the current climate is no longer viable," the post said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Mainline Pharmacy in Davidsville closing March 6