Bay City has recently lost two independent pharmacies, which has been attributed to rising drug costs.
Layerer’s Pharmacy, owned by MPA member John Muir, closed June 21 after 120 years in business. The closure came shortly after Southside Pharmacy shuttered its doors in May. WJRT ABC-12 reported that nearly 600 independent pharmacies nationwide have gone out of business in the last 20 years, according to a study by the University of Iowa.
“The chain pharmacies in our area are so overwhelmed right now,” said MPA member Steve Kennedy, who owns Anderson Pharmacy in Bay City. “Without us independents around I think they would really be in trouble with being able to staff their pharmacies and get prescriptions out on a timely manner.”