America’s pharmacy and grocery retailers are not immune to the discredited business practices of the largest PBM companies. There is broad consensus that community pharmacies are the backbone of the nation’s healthcare system. However, an alarming number of local pharmacies are being forced out of business because of the anti-competitive business practices of the legacy PBMs.
According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), more than 5,800 pharmacies have closed since 2018 – leaving communities across 800+ zip codes without access to the trusted, affordable healthcare services that are the hallmarks of the local pharmacy.
For the past year EmpiRx Health has been having very productive discussions with retail pharmacy and grocery leaders about a more pharmacy-friendly PBM approach. As a result, EmpiRx Health has joined with these industry leaders to launch AllyRx, the first-ever national pharmacy care network built specifically for pharmacy and grocery retailers. AllyRx provides pharmacist-led PBM services and solutions to help retailers measurably improve their employees’ health outcomes while reducing prescription drug costs.
The new AllyRx network leverages EmpiRx Health’s unique pharmacist-centric service model and AI-powered technology platform to bring a first-class, pharmacy care experience to the employees, patients, and local partners of the nation’s leading pharmacy and grocery chains. With its focus on Pharmacy Care for Pharmacies, AllyRx provides a pharmacy-friendly version of pharmacy benefits management that partners with pharmacies so they can continue to thrive and serve the patients and communities that rely on them across America.
“When I meet with pharmacy leaders across the country, I always ask them the same question: Why do you continue to use the traditional PBM companies to manage your pharmacy benefits programs when you know their business models can negatively impact your own pharmacies,” said Danny Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer of EmpiRx Health. “Not only do the largest PBMs control more than 80% of the pharmacy care market, but their self-dealing business practices also pose a serious threat to community pharmacies, who are essential to the nation’s healthcare.”
“AllyRx was designed in close collaboration with retail pharmacy leaders and purpose-built to enable their pharmacies, employees, and customers to experience the best pharmacy care while lowering the costs of prescription drugs,” said Sanchez. “Powered by EmpiRx Health’s pharmacist-led model, AllyRx is helping to return pharmacy benefits management to its original healthcare mission, while strongly supporting pharmacies, not threatening their very existence.”
“AllyRx is a game-changing approach to pharmacy benefits care that will benefit pharmacies and patients across the nation. We applaud EmpiRx Health for spearheading this new network of pharmacy and grocery industry leaders and look forward to working with them to refocus pharmacy benefits management on improving patient health outcomes and supporting pharmacies.” – Senior Executive at Regional Pharmacy & Grocery Chain
In addition to its unique pharmacist-led PBM services, AllyRx will also support pharmacy and grocery retailers with an innovative new solution that enhances their customer loyalty programs. This breakthrough solution enables combined pharmacy and grocery chains to reward patients for adhering to their medication therapies by giving them coupons for healthy food purchases. The program will help to strengthen patient health outcomes while increasing pharmacy and front-of-store growth.
To learn more about AllyRx, contact Chuck Frame, Vice President of Sales, EmpiRx Health at 551-294-4092 or cframe@empirxhealth.com.