The biggest challenges for retail pharmacy today are a combination of financial pressures, workforce issues, and shifting healthcare dynamics. The main challenge typically highlighted is that pharmacies are facing reduced reimbursement rates, particularly from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

PHSL posed a question to its audience regarding the most pressing current challenges facing retail pharmacy, other than reimbursement challenges. Respondents were asked to identify which of five key issues—ranging from business operations to drug pricing policies—should be the main focus for pharmacies moving forward.

The most selected challenge was GLP-1 drug payment models, receiving 44% of the vote, indicating significant concern around coverage and reimbursement for popular weight loss and diabetes medications. The rise of expensive specialty drugs like GLP-1s has created new reimbursement and access challenges. Retail pharmacy business model and reimbursement under Medicare prescription drug price negotiation tied for second place at 22% each, highlighting structural and regulatory pressures. Staffing challenges were noted by 11%, while investment in technology was not selected by any respondents (0%), suggesting it is currently a lower priority compared to other operational and financial concerns. Below is the complete poll question and responses.

Drug Store News recently called out the following five current challenges for retail pharmacy. Which should be the main focus for pharmacies?

Retail pharmacy business model: 22%

Staffing challenges: 11%

Investment in technology: 0%

Reimbursement under Medicare prescription drug price negotiation: 22%

GLP-1 drug payment models: 44%