Relief is on the way for hundreds of Illinois residents whose medication cost and availability are becoming a major issue.
State Senator Andy Manar said today that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Service will implement the Critical Access Pharmacy Program, which will provide $10 million in funds to keep rural pharmacies open. In rural IL, people have seen greatly increased drug prices because of poor regulation.
Pharmacy Benefit Manager operations make special deals with chain stores that local businesses can’t compete with. Many small businesses have closed their doors as a result and residents would then be forced to travel longer distances to get medication.
The funding is expected to be a major boost for pharmacies in rural areas and the goal is to keep them open while finding further ways to lower medication costs.
