Moving Beyond Mitigation: Cracking the Maximizer Code to Protect Patient Affordability

Today’s guest post comes from Logan Melchione, VP of Patient Affordability at Paysign.

Logan explores how maximizers have reshaped the patient affordability landscape and pressured pharmaceutical manufacturers to adapt their copay strategies. In this guest post, she outlines her perspective on the limitations of traditional copay solutions, describes Paysign’s data-driven approach to first-fill identification of maximizer impact, and shares how the company reports saving millions while improving patient access.

To request an analysis of your program’s maximizer exposure risk and learn more about Paysign solutions, email affordability@paysign.com or visit paysign.com/rx.

Read on for Logan’s insights.

Pharmacist Salaries and Employment in 2024: Retail Employment Collapse Offset by Hospital Boom

It’s time for Drug Channels’ annual look at pharmacist salaries and employment.

There was more bad news, as employment in retail pharmacies and drugstores dropped by 8,500 positions in 2024, following a drop of 4,800 positions in 2023. Employment in mass merchants and supermarkets with pharmacies increased. Meanwhile, employment at hospitals surged to a new high, growing by nearly 7,000 positions in 2024.

Average salaries hit $137,000, but varied widely across practice settings. However, salary growth did not keep pace with overall inflation.

Downsizing by the larger pharmacy chains, combined with Rite Aid’s liquidation, means that 2025 looks even grimmer for retail pharmacists. Full salary and employment data below for your enjoyment or sorrow. Click here to share your thoughts on the pharmacist job market with the Drug Channels LinkedIn community.

Jump to:

• Pharmacist Employment Trends

• Pharmacist Salary Trends

• Methodology

UPCOMING LIVE VIDEO WEBINAR!

What’s Next for Retail Pharmacy:

Data, Debate, and Disruption.

Get ready for the future of pharmacy on June 20, 2025 (12:00–1:30 p.m. ET). Dr. Adam J. Fein and Antonio Ciaccia will unpack the good, the bad, and the ugly of the pharmacy industry—and explore what it means for you. This dynamic session will blend expert insights and real-time debate. Click here to register.