October 2025
Reflecting on Pharmacy Month: Challenges Facing Retail Pharmacy
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ACH OCTOBER, PHARMACY MONTH OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY to recognize the vital role pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play in keeping Nevada’s communities healthy. From providing essential medications and vaccines to offering guidance on everyday health needs, retail pharmacies are often the most accessible point of care for patients. They serve as trusted resources in both rural and urban communities, ensuring that healthcare reaches Nevadans where they live and work. As we celebrate these contributions, it is also important to acknowledge the mounting pressures facing the retail pharmacy sector. While the conversation around pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform remains central, pharmacies must also contend with a host of other challenges that influence their ability to serve patients effectively. Issues such as labor shortages, technology
By Liz MacMenamin
Liz MacMenamin gaps, economic uncertainty, drug pricing reform, and the rising cost of specialty medications are reshaping the industry’s future. RETHINKING THE DRUGSTORE MODEL Retail pharmacies have traditionally relied on a mix of prescription sales and front-of-store revenue from household goods, health products, and convenience items. However, the profitability of this model is being eroded by intense competition from discount retailers and online marketplaces. Large chains have reported declining
in-store sales, with categories like grocery, beauty, and health products struggling to keep pace. This trend underscores the urgent need for pharmacies to reassess their business models and focus on services that differentiate them in a crowded marketplace. The Workforce Challenge Staffing remains one of the most pressing hurdles. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are expected to take on expanding responsibilities, from administering immunizations
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INSIDE Honoring Director Emeritus Ron Mestre...............3 Nevada Must Budget Now for SNAP Administrative Costs...............4 Federal Actions Require More State Changes for Vaccinations........................5 Nevada Board of Pharmacy Regulatory Update..................8 Nevada Assembly Democrats Announce Leadership Changes................9 Organized Crime in the News...............................9