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

09/07/2023

CVS works with patients to achieve savings

The company said it leverages the clinical expertise of pharmacy teams to conduct custom savings reviews, with each patient’s medical and cost of its history in mind. 
09/07/2023

Why discount cards are challenging for independent pharmacies

Some discount cards either don’t work with independents, or treat independents differently than they do large chains—and many decline to accept them.
09/07/2023

In the cards

Prescription discount cards are popular among consumers, but they bring fees and their partnerships with PBMs may dilute profits. Some retailers are concerned.
07/06/2023

Challenges to addressing health equity

CVS Health and Kroger Health call upon the industry to become data-driven to help expand and implement initiatives to achieve health equity.
07/06/2023

Retail pharmacies address challenges around health equity

The pandemic shone a spotlight on the value of community-based pharmacy in reaching underserved communities.
06/09/2023

Pharmacy-physician synergy

Pharmacies can close gaps in patient care, improve health outcomes and cut costs.
05/16/2023

Threats and opportunities facing retail pharmacy

Traditional drug store retailers seek to become one-stop healthcare destinations amid competition from online players and others.
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.