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HB 335

Independent Pharmacy Access and Resilience Pilot Program; established, report, sunset.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 5 co-sponsors

Virginia pilot program supports independent pharmacy viability through targeted assistance with automatic expiration unless legislature renews it.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB335)
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Bill Summary · HB 335

Legislative bill overview

HB 335 establishes a pilot program in Virginia designed to support independent pharmacy operations and resilience. The bill includes reporting requirements to track the program's outcomes and includes a sunset provision, meaning it will automatically expire unless renewed by the legislature.

Why is this important

Independent pharmacies have faced significant consolidation pressures from large pharmacy chains and mail-order competitors over the past two decades. This pilot program addresses concerns about pharmacy accessibility, local healthcare infrastructure, and competition in pharmaceutical retail—issues that affect medication access, especially in rural or underserved communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining "independent pharmacy" eligibility: The bill's scope and which pharmacies qualify for assistance could be debated, potentially creating inequities between chains and truly independent operators.
  • Program costs and fiscal impact: The Department of Planning and Budget's fiscal impact statement suggests this involves state expenditures; lawmakers may disagree on whether these costs are justified or sustainable.
  • Market intervention concerns: Some policymakers may argue that government support for specific business models distorts free market competition rather than addressing underlying structural problems in pharmacy operations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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