Small-Town Pharmacists Closing Doors

Pharmacist Dave Redden stands for a photo outside his closed store in Sweet Home, Ore., Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. Redden joined a growing trend among small-town pharmacists this past summer and closed down Home Town Drugs and Gifts after 25 years--he largely credits the Medicare drug benefit program for the demise of his business. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) (Don Ryan - AP)

"They get paid up front and they have a vested interest in sitting on that money as long as possible," said Charlie Sewell, vice president of government affairs for the National Community Pharmacists Association.

Sewell said he is surprised that Medicare's survey did not show that all 20 leading drug plans were paying on a timely basis.

"When you ask somebody whether they're paying their bills on time, most will say yes," Sewell said.

Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., lead sponsor of the prompt-pay legislation, said he is confident the bill would pass the House if congressional leaders would schedule a vote.

"It's just been hard to get the leadership focused on it," Berry said.

The lead Senate sponsor is Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont.

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On the Net:

National Community Pharmacists Association: http://www.ncpanet.org/leggovaffairs/

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association: http://www.pcmanet.org/

(This version CORRECTS SUBS lead to correct Redden, sted Redding. )