Experts suggest that a number of factors are causing pharmacies to close, including a period of intense competition that continues to put pressure on prescription drug profits and the focus of pharmacies on expanding digital services. Pharmacy benefit managers (intermediaries between pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and health insurers) help set the rates that pharmacies are paid for filling prescription drugs, also called reimbursement rates.
Pharmacy benefit managers
“absolutely recognize the value of independent pharmacies for patients and better health outcomes,” said Lopes in a statement. Reducing opening hours at pharmacies can be more than just an inconvenience, according to Dima Qato, an associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Southern California.At Killingworth Family Pharmacy in Killingworth, Connecticut, pharmacist owner Keith Lyke reported that he had been receiving patients from other pharmacies for the past month who had been unable to fill their Adderall prescriptions elsewhere. The association of pharmacists points out that pharmacy benefit administrators impose reduced margins for prescription drugs. Bashur noted that pharmacies of all types urgently need reform to address pharmacy benefit management tactics that manipulate the pharmaceutical market in ways that have consequences for patients and the pharmacies that serve them. When it comes to the average wait time at pharmacies in Orange County, CA, it is important to understand that this can vary depending on a variety of factors.
For instance, independent pharmacies may have longer wait times due to their smaller staffs and limited resources. On the other hand, larger chain pharmacies may have shorter wait times due to their larger staffs and access to more resources. In addition, wait times can also be affected by the time of day and how busy the pharmacy is. During peak hours such as lunchtime or after work hours, wait times may be longer due to an increase in customers.
On the other hand, during off-peak hours such as early morning or late evening, wait times may be shorter due to fewer customers. It is also important to note that some pharmacies offer services such as online ordering or delivery which can help reduce wait times. Additionally, many pharmacies offer drive-thru services which can help reduce wait times as well. Overall, it is difficult to determine an exact average wait time at pharmacies in Orange County, CA due to the various factors that can affect wait times.
However, it is important to note that there are several ways to reduce wait times such as using online ordering or delivery services or taking advantage of drive-thru services.