Why St. Paul Corner Drug Loses Money Filling Prescriptions
"The busier you are, the more money you lose."
Pharmacy deserts are popping up across the state. Approximately 61% of independent Minnesota pharmacies have closed in the past decade, leaving around 120 at the beginning of 2026, according to the Minnesota Pharmacists Association.
PBMs threaten future of small independent drug stores
Our Owner and Pharmacist John Hoeschen’s opposing view to a recent guest editorial that praised Pharmacy Benefit Managers for reducing health care costs for small businesses
More Minnesotans face ‘pharmacy deserts’ with chain drugstore closures
As Walgreens, CVS get ready to close more stores, many independent pharmacies say they are operating at a loss.
How the prescription drug supply chain is killing local pharmacies
The supply chain that brings pharmaceutical drugs from the factory to the pharmacy is long, complex and unclear. Congress and several state legislatures have proposed or enacted laws to bring more transparency and curb soaring drug prices. As special correspondent—and current St. Paul Corner Drug patient—Fred de Sam Lazaro reports, many small or independent pharmacies complain the system also hurts them.