Mississippi Independent Pharmacies Association

08/20/2026

MIPA Member Spotlight
Freedom Pharmacy | Hattiesburg, Mississippi

“Making People’s Lives Better Every Day.”

At Freedom Pharmacy, those aren’t just words on a wall, they are a promise to every patient who walks through the door.

Owner Michelle Little, RPh, and her dedicated team are committed to providing the personalized care, trusted relationships, and hometown service that make independent community pharmacies so special. Whether it’s answering questions, helping patients manage their medications, or simply taking the time to know each patient by name, Freedom Pharmacy is making a lasting difference in the Hattiesburg community.

Michelle’s commitment extends beyond the pharmacy. As a MIPA Board Member, she helps shape the future of independent pharmacy across Mississippi, advocating for policies that strengthen community pharmacies and protect patients’ access to local healthcare.

Pharmacies like Freedom Pharmacy are more than places to fill prescriptions, they are trusted healthcare partners and essential pillars of their communities.

This is exactly what MIPA fights for.

Thank you, Michelle, and the entire Freedom Pharmacy team, for your leadership, your service, and your unwavering commitment to making people’s lives better every day.

Support your local independent pharmacy.

Not yet a MIPA member? Join the trusted voice for independent pharmacy in Mississippi. Together, we’re building a stronger future for independent community pharmacy.

https://mipa.ms/membership/how-to-join/

08/18/2026

When a pharmacy closes, patients lose more than a place to fill a prescription.

New research from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy highlights the real impact pharmacy closures can have on patient access to care. Researchers found that when prescriptions are transferred following a closure, patients may be sent to pharmacies significantly farther away, creating additional barriers, particularly for those with limited transportation.

With approximately 8,000 pharmacies closing nationwide over the past five years, preserving access to local pharmacy care matters.

Independent pharmacies are an essential part of Mississippi’s healthcare infrastructure, and when a community loses one, patients feel the impact.

https://pharmacy.olemiss.edu//news/2026/08/research-reveals-toll-of-pharmacy-closures-prescription-transfers/index.html

OXFORD, Miss. – When a major pharmacy chain shutters its doors, prescriptions on file are transferred, often in bulk, to another location. But new research from a University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy graduate student shows those transfers frequently leave patients stranded, with new pharma...

08/18/2026

The PBM marketplace is beginning to shift and employers are taking notice.

A new survey found the share of employer-sponsored health plans using one of the three largest PBMs fell from 63.4% in 2025 to 54.3% in 2026. Among employers with fewer than 1,000 employees, the decline was even greater.

The concerns driving the conversation are familiar: transparency, contract terms, spread pricing, access to data and PBM compensation.

PBM reform isn’t just a pharmacy issue. It’s a healthcare marketplace issue and greater transparency and accountability benefit employers, pharmacies and, ultimately, patients.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/benefits/pbm-market-shift-starts-with-small-employers-survey-finds-586329.aspx

Big Three share fell nine points in one year as employers under 1,000 cut ties over contract gaps and fiduciary concern

08/15/2026

MIPA is working to keep the challenges facing independent pharmacy visible in communities across Mississippi.

We appreciate the The Enterprise-Tocsin for covering Congressman Bennie Thompson’s recent visit with independent pharmacists at Magic Mart Pharmacy in Indianola and the discussion surrounding PBM reform.

These conversations matter. MIPA will continue connecting policymakers with the independent pharmacists serving patients and communities across our state.

https://www.enterprise-tocsin.com/thompson-talks-pbm-reform-magic-mart

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson met Tuesday with independent pharmacists and pharmacy employees at Magic Mart Pharmacy, where he discussed federal legislation aimed at addressing pharmacy benefit manager practices and financial pressures confronting rural community pharmacies.

08/13/2026

MIPA appreciated the opportunity to spend time with Congressman Mike Ezell today at Love’s Pharmacy in Ocean Springs, where independent pharmacists from across the district shared directly with him the realities facing community pharmacy in Mississippi.

A key part of our discussion focused on H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, and the important protections it would provide for independent pharmacies and the patients and communities they serve. We appreciate Congressman Ezell’s consideration of joining the legislation as a co-sponsor and his interest in efforts to protect patient access to local pharmacy care.

Most importantly, we appreciate his willingness to hear directly from the pharmacists who see the effects of these issues every day.

We are especially grateful to MIPA Board Member Russell Love, owner of Love’s Pharmacy, for opening his doors and hosting today’s discussion. Visits like this put policymakers inside the pharmacies serving their constituents and give our members the opportunity to tell the independent pharmacy story firsthand.

Thank you, Congressman Ezell, for taking the time to meet with independent pharmacists from across your district and hear firsthand about the challenges facing local pharmacies and the communities that depend on them.

08/12/2026

MIPA was pleased to welcome Congressman Trent Kelly to Westside Pharmacy & Gifts in Tupelo today for a meaningful conversation with local independent pharmacists about the challenges facing community pharmacies and the patients they serve.

A key part of our discussion focused on H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, and the important protections it would provide for independent pharmacies and patient access to care. We greatly appreciate Congressman Kelly’s consideration of joining the legislation as a co-sponsor and his continued willingness to listen to the concerns of Mississippi’s independent pharmacists.

These face-to-face conversations matter. They give our pharmacists the opportunity to share firsthand what is happening in their pharmacies and communities and why meaningful PBM reform is so important to preserving patient access to local pharmacy care.

A special thank you to Westside Pharmacy & Gifts owner John Rucker and his entire team for graciously hosting today’s visit and bringing local pharmacists together for the discussion.

Thank you, Congressman Kelly, for taking the time to visit, listen, and engage with Mississippi’s independent pharmacy community.

08/11/2026

😎😎😎 JULY RECAP 😎😎😎

Our CEO, David Roberts is continuously making the rounds to visit our members and encourage new membership! 🚗🚗🚗 If you haven't seen him yet! Hold on 👋…he just might show up in your town soon!

08/11/2026

MIPA was pleased to join Congressman Bennie Thompson today at Magic Mart Pharmacy in Indianola for a meaningful conversation with pharmacists and staff from Indianola and neighboring communities about the vital role Mississippi independent pharmacies play in delivering accessible, personal health care in rural communities.

We appreciate Congressman Thompson taking the time to listen firsthand to the challenges facing our independent pharmacies and to discuss the importance of protecting patients’ access to the local pharmacies they know and trust. We are especially grateful for his co-sponsorship of H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, and his continued support of Mississippi’s independent pharmacies.

A special thank you to Magic Mart owner and MIPA Board Member Guy Phillips for graciously hosting today’s visit, along with his entire team, for helping bring the voice of Mississippi independent pharmacy directly to the table.

We also appreciate State Representative Otis Anthony for joining us in support of Mississippi’s independent pharmacies and the communities they serve.

08/08/2026

This is local independent pharmacy.

MIPA Board Member Fair Jones shared this story from her pharmacy, and it captures something numbers and statistics never fully can.

Independent pharmacies aren’t just businesses in our communities. They’re part of the communities they serve.

This is why independent pharmacy matters and why it’s worth fighting for.

Thank you, Fair, for sharing this reminder.

08/05/2026

MIPA thanks Congressman Bennie G. Thompson for cosponsoring H.R. 6610, legislation that promotes fair pharmacy reimbursement and helps preserve access to community pharmacy care.

Next week, we’ll host Congressman Thompson along with additional members of Mississippi’s congressional delegation at MIPA pharmacies across the state to see firsthand the vital role independent pharmacies play in their communities.

Independent pharmacies serve communities in every corner of the state and every congressional district. We’re grateful for the bipartisan support building behind H.R. 6610 and welcome continued conversations with all members of Mississippi’s delegation.