San Francisco launches pharmacy task force to keep independents in business
San Francisco launches pharmacy task force to keep independents in business

San Francisco launches pharmacy task force to keep independents in business

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San Francisco launches pharmacy task force to keep independents in business

San Francisco launches pharmacy task force to keep independents in business. San Francisco supervisors are hoping a task force will help the city’s independent pharmacies survive as the big names close. Walgreens announced 12 of its pharmacies would close in San Francisco, this as part of 1,200 closures nationwide. The Independent Pharmacy Task Force still needs to be approved by the full board of supervisors – something that is projected to take place by the winter. The task force also wants to streamline the permitting process for independent pharmacies and provide affordable medications for low-income households under the Medicaid coverage program, said Supervisor Chyanne Chen, a member of the task force. “That we can be creative and innovate and bring community voice and solving the needs by continuing to look into the wholesale of our drug industry,” said Supervisor Chan.

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San Francisco launches pharmacy task force to keep independents in business

San Francisco supervisors are hoping a task force will help the city’s independent pharmacies survive as the big names close.

San Francisco supervisors are hoping a task force will help the city’s independent pharmacies survive as the big names close.

San Francisco supervisors are hoping a task force will help the city’s independent pharmacies survive as the big names close.

San Francisco supervisors are hoping a task force will help the city’s independent pharmacies survive as the big names close.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Over four decades ago, Peter Lo went to pharmacy school with a dream to serve his community in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

“I love it. I come here every day. Except Sundays,” said Peter Lo, owner of Wellman’s Pharmacy.

For the past 38 years, Lo has not only lived that dream, but Wellman’s Pharmacy has become a cornerstone of this community. Though it hasn’t always been easy.

“When I first opened, there were 10 community pharmacies in Chinatown – today, there are only three left. And you are one of the three? I’m two of the three,” said Lo.

Just last Month, San Francisco’s Central Drug Store in the Excelsior District closed after 100 years. Its owner, Jerry Tonelli said it was time to retire.

MORE: Long pharmacy lines plague last remaining Walgreens in SF Mission District

The closure of more than two-dozen Walgreens in San Francisco has resulted in longer lines and wait times for its remaining pharmacy in the Mission.

“Back in the 70s and 80s when Walgreens came into the city, there were a lot of independents and usually, they opened up next to a small independent and eventually the independent would close,” said Tonelli.

The tables have now turned. At the beginning of 2025, Walgreens announced 12 of its pharmacies would close in San Francisco, this as part of 1,200 closures nationwide.

“We see that we have been dependent on corporate pharmacy and when they close, they really impact our neighborhood. It has been happening especially for the Richmond. We have two Walgreens close in the last five years,” said Connie Chan, San Francisco Supervisor.

The company cited “increased regulatory and reimbursement pressure” – something that also been hard for smaller pharmacies.

“It’s not easy, I can tell you. We are highly regulated and have to work under different agencies and secondly, our reimbursement rate is determined not only by insurance companies, but the middleman called “PBM” – the pharmacy benefit manager – and they determine how much we get paid,” said Lo.

City supervisors are now hoping a task force will help independent pharmacies survive as the big names close.

MORE: These 12 Walgreens stores in San Francisco are closing

“What we are hoping for is to evaluate policy recommendations that can allow the San Francisco Department of Public Health to become a whole seller for medication. The second piece is how do we extend the existing program that is currently called “347b program” to provide affordable medications for low-income households under the Medicaid coverage,” said Supervisor Chan.

Part of the task force will also focus on streamlining the permitting process for independent pharmacies.

“That we can be creative and innovate and bring community voice and solving the needs by continuing to look into the wholesale of our drug industry,” said Supervisor Chyanne Chen.

A change of behavior with more people getting their medications delivered is also impacting small pharmacies, but this latest move is giving them hope.

“I’m so glad that we have the attention of the supervisors and they are willing to help us to continue the work we do,” said Lo.

The Independent Pharmacy Task Force still needs to be approved by the full board of supervisors – something that is projected to take place by the winter.

Source: Abc7news.com | View original article

Source: https://abc7news.com/post/san-francisco-launches-pharmacy-task-force-keep-independents-business/17355919/

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