A bleak future for independent community pharmacy under Medicare Part D.

The Medicare Part D prescription drug program was implemented in 2006 to provide prescription drug coverage for elderly and disabled citizens. Recent data indicate that Part D provides prescription drug coverage for 3.4 million American seniors who did not otherwise have prescription insurance.1 Analyses of prescription claims data suggest that Part D has increased prescription drug utilization among Medicare recipients by 3.9% to 12.8%,2,3 and survey data have demonstrated that Part D has led to a small but significant decrease in the percentage of Medicare recipients who were nonadherent with their medication because of cost.4 Seniors are generally happy with Part D,5 and while there are no survey data to document the opinions of those representing pharmaceutical manufacturers and Part D prescription drug plans, it is probable that they are pleased with the current state of Part D as well. It seems that all of the parties with a direct interest in Part D are benefiting from the program—all except for one group.