The first $25 million in fees collected were placed in a special fund for independent pharmacies, which can use the money to support existing operations, as well as expansions of business hours and new offerings, such as telepharmacy services, remote consultations and medication delivery.<\/p>\n
But the funding is not constrained to specific spending options, allowing pharmacies to use it however they see fit. For a Sav-More pharmacy in Virden, Illinois, that looks like a new parking lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cLimitations with parking, the lack of a drive-through, and space constraints have made it difficult to expand the services our community deserves,\u201d said Sav-Mor Pharmacies President David Falk.<\/p>\n
The funding has allowed the Virden location to partner with Carlinville Hospital to construct a new 3,500 square-foot facility next to a new clinic, featuring \u201cample parking, modern technology, (and) a drive-through,\u201d and employing additional staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project would not have been possible without the vision and commitment of Governor Pritzker and his administration,\u201d Falk said, adding that PBM reimbursement practices had hindered independent pharmacies like Sav-More.<\/p>\n
The program, administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, granted funding to pharmacies in 252 cities scattered across 94 of the state\u2019s 102 counties.<\/p>\n
Prioritized were pharmacies in rural or medically underserved communities and small independent pharmacies with fewer than 10 locations.<\/p>\n