Fighting Together to
Save Rhode Island’s
Independent Pharmacies
Rhode Island's Independent Pharmacies Need Your Support
Rhode Island’s independent pharmacy owners can’t win our fight for PBM reform alone. That’s why we’re asking our patients to stand with us. It’s also why we’re grateful Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has filed a lawsuit against these giant PBMs to stop their predatory behavior.
Joining us in our fight for fairness and a level playing field can make a real difference. Sign up below to learn how you can help and a member of our team will be in touch.
See Who's Fighting for Independent Pharmacies
Hundreds of Rhode Islanders, including elected leaders, those seeking office, and loyal customers are fighting to save Rhode Island’s independent pharmacies from unfair competition from giant Pharmacy Benefit Managers. We’re honored by their support.
Representative Joseph Solomon
Chairman, Corporations Committee, RI House of Representatives, Candidate for Attorney General
Warwick, RI
"In the General Assembly, I have taken direct action to support Rhode Island’s independent pharmacies, working to increase transparency in pharmacy benefit managers and address the rising cost of prescription drugs. Independent pharmacies are small businesses and healthcare lifelines in our communities, and the current system too often puts them at a disadvantage. I remain committed to advocating for meaningful PBM reforms that protect small businesses, preserve patient access to care, and ensure Rhode Island’s healthcare system works for patients and providers. As Attorney General, I will build on the work already underway and continue to hold PBMs accountable, protect patient choice, and keep local pharmacies strong."
Keith Hoffman
Former Chief of Policy and Senior Counsel, Office of Rhode Island Attorney General
“While serving as a senior leader on the executive team in Attorney General Peter Neronha’s Office, we filed a significant lawsuit against Optum Rx, CVS Caremark, and Express Scripts. These giant PBMs have exploited their market dominance to undercut independent pharmacies here in Rhode Island and across the country. They also deceived Rhode Islanders, suggesting that they secured prescription drug savings for us when in fact they caused drug prices to skyrocket. I’m proud to have been a part of the team that stood up to these companies and I’m grateful that Attorney General Neronha has endorsed me to succeed him. As Attorney General, I’ll continue the fight to ensure access to health care for all Rhode Islanders – and demand accountability from PBMs that have violated the law.”
Governor Dan McKee
Cumberland, RI
Affordability is my top priority, and I included additional transparency requirements in my budget to begin to hold PBMs accountable and address the rising costs of prescription drugs. Providing the Health Insurance commissioner this information is the first step to addressing these costs. Ensuring that independent pharmacies are protected from below cost reimbursement by PBMs is also important as these pharmacies are a vital part of our healthcare system.
Have you Been Harmed by Health Insurers or Pharmacy Benefit Managers?
The threat PBMs pose to independent pharmacies comes primarily from reimbursing us below our costs and providing unreasonably low dispensing fees. Our customers face different challenges from health insurers and the PBMs that manage prescription drug benefit for employers and health plans.
These include denied access to medication, being forced to use a drug that isn’t your doctor’s preferred medication, and having insurance companies refuse to accept co-pay assistance provided on your behalf by a loved one, pharmaceutical companies or patient advocacy organizations.
If you’ve experienced any of these problems, we want to hear from you. Your stories can help convince our elected leaders that PBM and insurance reform is long overdue. Simply complete this form and a member of our team will be in touch.
Holding PBMs Accountable: A closer look at how PBMs hurt patients and independent pharmacies
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) were established decades ago to help employers and health plans manage prescription drug benefits, process claims, and negotiate discounts with pharmacies and drug manufacturers with the aim of reducing overall prescription drug spending.
Today, the three largest PBMs operating in Rhode Island stand accused by the Rhode Island Attorney General of unfairly and deceptively increasing the costs of prescription drugs, limiting care choices for Rhode Islanders, and harming local, independent pharmacies. These PBMs are also facing lawsuits elsewhere in the country and federal court rulings detailing hundreds of millions of dollars in overbilling.
Employers, do you know what restrictions your Pharmacy Benefit Manager is forcing on your employees?
Employers understand that one of the most important employee benefits is health insurance that includes prescription drug coverage. Employers also understand how costly these benefits have become, a reality that has employers looking at every opportunity to save while still delivering a valuable benefit to employees. Rising health insurance costs affect employees too, whether through increased cost sharing with employers or rising co-pays and co-insurance expenses.
In this environment, some health insurance providers and their Pharmacy Benefit Managers will offer cost saving approaches to employers without explaining how cost saving moves can adversely impact employees.
Employers should learn more before agreeing to cost saving measures that PBMs and health insurance providers offer without explaining how employees will be adversely impacted.
Pharmacy Issues in the News
Rhode Island’s Independent Pharmacy Owners Join Forces in New Push for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reform Following Attorney General Neronha’s Lawsuit Against CVS Health’s Caremark
May 5, 2026
Rhode Island’s Independent Pharmacy Owners Join Forces in New Push for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reform Following Attorney General Neronha’s Lawsuit Against CVS Health’s Caremark
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