Brad Hart is co-owner of Forest Park Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy. He has a few things to say about Medicaid spending in Virginia. Independent pharmacies have a big stake in state Medicaid policies, but the dude is from Fort Worth, Texas! Click here to listen.

Hart’s commentary is based on a report by Arlington-based Strategic Directions, an advocacy group that “give[s] stakeholders—whether they’re state Medicaid programs, independent pharmacies, or legislators—the strategic insight and advocacy they need to create meaningful change.” So… probably not a disinterested group. However…

…this chart from the report shows data that all Virginians should take an interest in.

Strategic Directions contends that Virginia can save $2.6 billion in Medicaid spending by adjusting its drug spending policies. Can it really? I don’t know. Maybe there’s a rational explanation for the over-spend. But that’s enough money that the group’s claim warrants a close look. — JAB