There was a time when the local pharmacy was a pillar of community life. Joe’s grandfather was just such a pharmacist in the ...

Consumer reporter John Matarese encourages shoppers to support any local pharmacies that remain open in their communities. “That way you don’t waste your money,” Matarese said.

With the proposed "Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2025" gaining bipartisan support, there is hope for future regulation, but for many local pharmacies, relief may come too late.

Hartzell says a local pharmacy calls for local support. He says success came from partnerships with local leaders to help get to individuals as quickly as possible. "It was a very difficult ...