Mark Hamstra

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Mark Hamstra is a freelance business writer with experience covering a range of topics and industries, including food and drug retailing, marketing and technology. Mark entered the world of B2B publishing as a copy editor at Drug Store News in 1993 and then spent several years as a writer and editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, Supermarket News and other publications before becoming a freelancer.

ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR

02/17/2023

Legislative Reform: Opportunities for action at both state, federal levels on issues important to retail pharmacy

Momentum appears to be growing around several legislative and regulatory issues that are important to retail pharmacy, including PBM reform at both the state and federal levels.
11/22/2022

Store brands shine as consumer wallets tighten

Retailers’ private label product sales are growing as consumers seek affordable health-and-wellness solutions.
10/30/2022

Payless Drugs taps into solar power

The independent pharmacy retailer is seeking to minimize its environmental footprint and drive cost savings at the same time via solar power energy.
10/11/2022

Retailers ramp up initiatives to drive equity, diversity and sustainability

Drug store chains strengthen their program efforts and service activities to maximize community impact.
08/08/2022

Oregon: A pioneer in advancing pharmacy scope

Oregon passed landmark legislation that requires payers to reimburse pharmacists for any clinical services within the state’s pharmacy scope of practice in 2015.
08/08/2022

North Dakota: Broad scope in testing capabilities

For many services, pharmacists in the state can bill as a healthcare provider just like physicians.
08/08/2022

Colorado: A framework for protocols

Key developments, including the creation of an infrastructure for statewide protocols in 2016 and a provider status bill, have expanded pharmacists’ scope of practice.
08/08/2022

California: New license expands scope for pharmacists

The scope of authority that pharmacists have been granted under the new advanced practice license sets the state apart.
08/08/2022

State of play: Profiling state efforts to expand pharmacist scope of practice

Pharmacists prove themselves during the pandemic, eye additional authorities.
03/08/2022

Industry experts offer big ideas

Existing challenges in retail pharmacy are likely to continue, but bold thinking will provide opportunity.