Happy Local schools battle bots Pirates, Billies begin at VEX competition last weekend tournament play this week 1B 1C ADVANCE-MONTICELLONIAN 75¢ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 SERVING DREW COUNTY SINCE 1870 Insurance companies putting local pharmacies in peril BY ASHLEY FOREMAN er, CVS Caremark, dropped what it by these changes, which impacts [email protected] would pay for a fi ve-day supply to Pharmacy Pharmacy their bottom line and could lead about $36. Generic Buys Drug For Generic Phenergan Buys Drug For to these local pharmacies closing Cuts to reimbursements paid to “The cost for pharmacies to buy their doors. Investigators and at- local pharmacies for prescriptions the drug from wholesalers is about Tamiflu $91.23 Suppositories $615.00 torneys have requested information fi lled for Blue Cross Blue Shield $90,” Pace said. “In mid-January, ° ° pertinent to establishing if the re- customers are sometimes below CVS Caremark increased its reim- 25mg imbursement rate change triggers the cost the pharmacy pays for the bursement to about $75, but some provisions of Arkansas’s Deceptive drug. At a meeting of the Arkan- pharmacies are likely still refusing Insurance PBM PBM Pays Insurance PBM PBM Pays Trade Practices Act. sas Health Insurance Marketplace to dispense it when the reimburse- Pays PBM Keeps Pharmacy Pays PBM Keeps Pharmacy The Attorney General’s offi ce Oversite Subcommittee of the Ar- ment is below their cost. It’s a real °°°°said they will continue to aggres- kansas Legislature last week, phar- tough situation.” $132.61 $96.38 $36.23 $869.06 $844.06 $25.00 sively investigate the PBMs re- macists told the lawmakers that the Arkansas Attorney General Les- ° ° sponsible and requests that any cit- reimbursements for antiviral drugs lie Rutledge announced that she izen harmed by these rate changes and other medications provided has demanded information from Pharmacy Pharmacy contact the offi ce. to many Arkansas Blue Cross and CVS Caremark, a Pharmacy Bene- While these changes are affect- Blue Shield customers, including fi t Manager (PBM), after reviewing Loses Loses ing every pharmacy in the state, Arkansas Works enrollees, were complaints of plummeting medica- $55.00 $590.00 it is the independent pharmacies slashed January. 1. tion reimbursement rates paid to that are being hit the hardest. In Monticello pharmacists Nikki local pharmacies. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Pharmacist Association Drew County, City Drug and The Hood and Brian Smith were pres- “The change in reimbursement Prescription Pad are the only two ent at the meeting along with State rates by the Pharmacy Benefi t LOW REIMBURSEMENTS The graphic above shows how pharmacies get paid and funds are distribuited PBM independent pharmacies still in Rep. LeAnne Burch. Managers has hurt Arkansans in on two common medications. business. Scott Pace, chief executive of the every community across the state,” “This is not only an issue for pa- Arkansas Pharmacists Association, said Attorney General Rutledge. cover the actual cost of the medica- and dictate reimbursement amounts Health Insurance Marketplace. In tients, it is an issue for tax payers said that some pharmacists started “Local pharmacists are critical tions. When public health is threat- on each prescription. Earlier this roughly 20 percent of prescription as well,” Brian Smith, owner of refusing to dispense the generic members of Arkansas’s communi- ened, all Arkansans suffer.” year, the Attorney General began fi lls, reimbursement rates dropped The Prescription Pad said. “Ev- version of the fl u drug Tamifl u af- ties. Due to these changes, phar- PBMs, like CVS Caremark, are reviewing reports that CVS Care- lower than purchase costs accord- eryone who collects a pay check ter Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue macists are facing tough decisions the go-between for health insur- mark reduced its reimbursement ing to reports. Local pharmacists Shield’s pharmacy benefi ts manag- because the reimbursements do not ance companies and pharmacies rate for pharmacies in the Arkansas are forced to cover loss caused See PHARMACY Page 6A Incumbent County Clerk HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY seeking reelection in 2018 Drew County Clerk Lyna Gulledge said. Since taking offi ce, Gulledge has announced that she she has been involved with the As- will seek re-election to an eighth sociation of Arkansas Counties, a term in the upcoming May 22 state organization which provides Democratic primary. “The coun- training and legislative support ty clerk’s offi ce is responsible for for the various county elected of- many different jobs,” Gulledge fi cials. Gulledge has served on the explained. “Some of those things, AAC’s legislative board, helping like conducting to craft legislation that the asso- elections, keep- ciation then proposed to the state ing voter rolls house and senate. Also at the state updated, fi ling level, Gulledge has been active in documents in the Arkansas Association of Coun- probate cas- ty Clerks, serving in the follow- es and issuing ing leadership positions: secretary marriage li- from 2006-2011, second vice pres- GULLEDGE censes, are very ident in 2012-2013, fi rst vice presi- visible to the dent in 2014-2015, and president in public. But my 2016-2017. She was also a part of deputies and I perform many oth- the clerks’ association’s legislative er jobs as well – things like paying committee, helping draft legisla- the county’s bills, handling payroll tion to benefi t and improve county and tax payments, keeping an offi - clerks’ offi ces across the state. cial record of all quorum court pro- Gulledge has been married to Ashley Foreman/Advance-Monticellonian ceedings, preparing appropriation her husband, Greg, for 18 years. CHOCOLATE, FLOWERS AND BEARS, OH MY! Local gift shops and fl orists prepared feverishly Monday and Tuesday getting ready for the Valentine’s ordinances, coordinating the meet- Greg is employed as a salesman Day rush on Wednesday, Feb. 14. ings of both the election commis- for Amerimex. They have one sion and equalization boards, and son, James, who is a fi fth-grader at working closely with each of the Drew Central. She is a member of other offi ces to prepare the budget the Church of Christ. each year. There are a lot of moving “It has truly been a pleasure to parts.” serve the citizens of Drew County Her years of experience as clerk, as county clerk,” said Gulledge. “I 2018 Seark Business and Enterprise Development and as a deputy in the clerk’s offi ce hope you all will consider my ex- prior to being elected, give her the perience and knowledge of the job background and knowledge need- as you go to the polls, and I sincere- Conference to be held at UAM campus in March ed to make sure all of the clerk’s ly ask for your continued support responsibilities are carried out, and vote.” Special to the Advance and resources needed to start and ited to, building effective partner- are invited to attend this unique expand their businesses. ships, securing capital, developing opportunity. You will engage with Reinvigorating and retooling ru- Hosted by the Arkansas Eco- business plans and selling goods other business owners, receive help FUNDRAISING FOR THE SHOOTING SPORTS ral communities are hot topics in nomic Development Commission, and services to the government. with research and business plan- Arkansas these days and will be AHDC, Arkansas Procurement As- Join us at 8:30 am for a “Lenders ning, learn how to increase your thoroughly discussed at an upcom- sistance Center of the University Roundtable Breakfast,” where par- networking results and learn to do ing regional conference to be held of Arkansas Agriculture Cooper- ticipants will network with local, re- more business with government and in Monticello, Arkansas. Funded ative Extension Offi ce, Arkansas gional and statewide lenders. Lend- private industry. Mr. Mike Preston, by Arkansas Department of Work- Small Business and Technology ers confi rmed to participate include Director of the Arkansas Economic force Services, Arkansas Human Development Center, Drew County Arkansas Economic Development Development Commission will be Development Corporation (AHDC) Chamber of Commerce, University Commission, Citizens the luncheon speaker. He brings a and United States Department of of Arkansas at Monticello, and the Bank, Communities Unlimited, wealth of experience as an economic Agriculture, Rural Development, U.S. Small Business Administra- FORGE, Monticello Bank, Union development leader in Arkansas and the 2018 Southeast Arkansas Busi- tion, the conference will be held Bank…and MORE will be invited. Florida. Since coming to Arkansas, ness & Enterprise Development Friday, March 2, 2018 from 8:30am Lunch will also be provided. he has helped over 300 companies Conference, will bring together – 2:00pm in the Fine Arts Center Current business owners and locate or expand here, encouraged approximately 20 private, state, – Spencer Gallery, located on the those just getting started, youth investment of more than $7 billion federal and nonprofi t organizations campus of the University of Arkan- entrepreneurs, business and tech- and helped create over 16,000 jobs. with a singular goal of equipping sas at Monticello, 346 University nical school students, apprentices, small business owners and aspiring Drive, Monticello, Arkansas 71656. veterans and community and eco- entrepreneurs with the tools, skills Topics will include but are not lim- nomic development professionals, The City of Monticello will be closed Monday, Feb. 19 in observance of President’s day. Annual Chamber/MEDC banquet tickets available Monday’s trash route The annul Chamber/MEDC Awards Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26, in the University Center at will run on Wednesday, Anette Buzzell/Advance Monticellonian the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Dr. Robert Steele, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Offi cer, Feb. 21. Arkansas Children’s Hospital, will be the keynote speaker for the banquet.