Is Pfizer competing with your pharmacy?

Pharmaceutical companies, like Pfizer, are venturing into digital healthcare platforms, raising questions about competition with traditional pharmacies. Pfizer recently announced its initiative, "Pfizer for All," a digital platform that offers services such as vaccine scheduling and potential savings on medications, possibly bypassing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). This platform supports patients with private and government insurance, but there are concerns about how it addresses those without insurance.

The platform also enables same-day telehealth appointments with independent providers, which may raise regulatory concerns, particularly around kickbacks, given the scrutiny telehealth has faced from authorities like the DOJ and FDA. Pharmacists are encouraged to consider how this could impact their practice and whether patients might prefer these new options. The dialogue continues about the potential shift in pharmacy dynamics as digital platforms gain traction.

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