Oregon State Pharmacy Association

07/28/2025

New Report Alert: “Advancing Health Through Expanded Access to Pharmacy‑Based Care”. The Milken Institute has released a powerful blueprint calling on the U.S. to harness the full potential of community pharmacies for whole‑person health. With U.S. healthcare spending approaching $5 trillion—90% tied to chronic and mental health—and millions living in primary care “deserts,” pharmacists can be game‑changers. The report offers a concrete roadmap to expand access, close health equity gaps, and improve outcomes nationwide.

As the health system evolves to meet rising demand while grappling with workforce shortages, pharmacies are well-positioned to play a greater role in delivering

07/21/2025

OSPA is calling attention to a critical issue: the state legislature failed to pass two essential bills in the 2025 session — and pharmacies across Oregon may pay the price.

🔹 PBM Reform: Without greater transparency and fair reimbursement standards, Pharmacy Benefit Managers continue to destabilize the financial viability of pharmacies.
🔹 Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) Relief: Pharmacies are being taxed twice — on both wholesale drug purchases and their limited margins. A proposed exemption could have made a meaningful difference.

Without action, the consequences are clear: closures, reduced patient access, and strain on an already overburdened healthcare system. This is especially alarming for rural and underserved communities who rely heavily on their local pharmacy for care.

🏥 Pharmacies are more than businesses — they are healthcare access points. Let’s not wait until the damage is done.

🔗 Read more:
https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/consumer/oregon-pharmacy-closures-patient-access-cuts/article_80aa1156-ce3b-443d-b94d-28c07d7e95ce.html

A Bend pharmacy owner says legislative inaction is making it harder for patients to get medications. More closures could soon follow across Oregon.

07/11/2025

Check out this letter from the national pharmacy organizations who collectively voiced concern that changes to vaccine recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) could lead some insurers to reconsider vaccine coverage. The letter emphasized that the scientific consensus around the safety and effectiveness of vaccines remains strong and urged insurers not to introduce new cost barriers unless there is clear, evidence-based justification.

07/11/2025

Cardinal Health's new One Voice Initiative will provide direct financial support to state pharmacy associations for advocacy efforts!
This is great news for Oregon's independent pharmacies! Strong advocacy = better policies for pharmacists and patients. Together, we're building a more powerful voice for community pharmacy.

/PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) today announced the launch of the Cardinal Health™ One Voice Initiative for pharmacy advocacy, which provides...

07/09/2025

Register for this FREE webinar on the new ADA guideline updates thanks to our partners at Mosaic Community Health https://oregonpharmacy.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1972038&fbclid=IwY2xjawLbbDBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxUDZqektjRTJ3THhGbjBhAR6yiX6Piq-k72D7ZEFBV3uFt_gu76n06hcwccBck9EDCrSe0j_enEbfhjgFlw_aem_IqMpbiZaISckO4y3FV93rA

07/08/2025

Submit your nomination by July 15th https://oregonpharmacy.org/page/awards

06/25/2025

The Oregon Health Authority has confirmed the state’s first measles case of the year and posted a list of public exposure sites here.
⚠️ Pharmacists, take note:
Our regional U.S. Department of Health and Human Services representative reports that in other states, measles cases have initially presented as patients seeking OTC treatment for a “rash.” Through motivational interviewing, these turned out to be undiagnosed measles. When patients mention rash symptoms, consider asking follow-up questions, your engagement could be critical in identifying and containing further cases. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/Oregons-first-measles-case-of-2025-confirmed-in-Multnomah-County.aspx

06/24/2025

This is the kind of misinformation Oregon legislators are being fed and unfortunately, believing. Other states have successfully passed PBM reform without raising costs for patients, while saving millions in taxpayer dollars. Yet Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon claims there's “no way to insulate consumers” from higher prices, ignoring real-world evidence to the contrary. Let’s be clear: protecting patients and independent pharmacies is possible. What’s missing is the political will. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/06/24/no-relief-coming-for-oregons-struggling-pharmacies-as-bill-fails/
Oregon Senate Republicans Oregon Senate Democrats The Lund Report The Oregonian Governor Tina Kotek Representative Julie Fahey Ben Bowman Rob Nosse Oregon House Republicans Oregon House Democrats Ed Diehl Darin Harbick for Oregon Hi-School Pharmacy Cascadia Pharmacy National Community Pharmacists Association National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) American Pharmacists Association

Oregon lawmakers’ latest attempt to prop up the state’s struggling retail pharmacies by regulating middlemen companies has died.

06/17/2025

“This is another case where Democrats are siding with big special interests over working class Oregonians,” said Darin Harbick for Oregon. “Pharmacy closures are devastating rural communities, where patients are already forced to drive long distances just to fill a prescription. Republicans recognize the value of community pharmacies as small businesses and providers of essential care. If Democratic leadership allows HB 3212 to move forward, Republicans are ready to vote YES to preserve pharmacy care in every community.” Governor Tina Kotek Rob Nosse Representative Julie Fahey Ben Bowman The Lund Report The Oregonian Oregon Senate Republicans Oregon Senate Democrats Oregon House Republicans Oregon House Democrats National Community Pharmacists Association National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) American Pharmacists Association

In a move that will deepen Oregon’s pharmacy access crisis, Democratic legislative leaders have indicated they will not advance any version of House Bill 3212 this session. The bill, which enjoys broad bipartisan and bicameral support, was designed to address abusive contracting practices by insur...

06/14/2025

"Legislators allowed PBMs to manipulate the process and deny patients access to care. Oregon now has the worst pharmacy access in the nation.” Patients in rural and underserved areas are literally facing pharmacy deserts—that’s unacceptable. Jeff Harrell (National Community Pharmacists Association President and CEO of Cascadia Pharmacy Group) said "They dragged us through work groups and gave us nothing but lip service. Then at the finish line, they pulled the rug out from under us.”
This isn’t just a business issue—it’s fundamentally about patient access to care. When independent pharmacies close, communities lose local access, convenience, trusted advice, and compassionate care. Governor Tina Kotek Representative Julie Fahey Rob Nosse Ben Bowman The Lund Report The Oregonian Oregon Senate Republicans Oregon Senate Democrats Oregon House Democrats Senator Jeff Merkley Senator Ron Wyden Congresswoman Janelle Bynum Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemerCongresswoman Andrea Salinas Congresswoman Suzanne BonamiciCongresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. Oregon House Republicans

A bipartisan bill aimed at protecting independent pharmacies in Oregon has stalled in the state legislature, prompting frustration from pharmacy leaders who say the decision will further restrict patient access, particularly in rural areas.

06/09/2025

Here's the latest list of Rite Aid closures in Oregon. Now up to 32.
Albany — 1235 Waverly Drive SE
Baker City — 1217 Campbell St.
Bandon — 44 Michigan Ave. NE
Bend — 700 S.E. 3rd St.
Dallas — 178 West Ellendale Ave.
Eugene — 1560 Coburg Road
Eugene — 1970 Echo Hollow Road
Harbor — 16261 South Highway 101
Hillsboro — 2021 Nw 185th Ave.
Hood River — 2049 W Cascade Ave
Keizer — 5452 River Road North
Klamath Falls — 2521 S Sixth St.
Lake Oswego — 16390 Boones Ferry Road
Lebanon — 30 E Oak St.
Lincoln City — 4041 NW Logan Road
Mcminnville — 448 NE Hwy 99W
Newport — 2336 North Coast Highway
Ontario — 728 South West 4th Ave.
Oregon City — 1900 Mcloughlin Blvd.
Pendleton — 1900 SW Court Place
Phoenix — 636 N Main St.
Portland — 5431 SW Beaverton Hillsdale
Portland — 11190 SW Barnes Rd.
Portland — 514 NE 181St Ave.
Portland — 11930 SE Division St.
Roseburg — 1430 NW Garden Valley Blvd
Salem — 681 Lancaster Drive NE
Salem — 4500 Commercial St. SE
Seaside — 313 S Roosevelt Drive
Silverton — 626 Mcclaine St.
The Dalles — 1400 W 6th St
Wilsonville — 8235 SW Wilsonville Road
Governor Tina Kotek The Oregonian The Lund Report Rob Nosse Representative Julie Fahey Ben Bowman Oregon Senate Republicans Oregon Senate Democrats Oregon House Democrats Oregon House Republicans

Recent additions to the list include more locations in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Wilsonville and Lake Oswego.