Generic drugs are supposed to be a cheap and just as effective alternative to high-priced name brand products. But a recent trend has shown that the prices of generics are rising very quickly and the pace of insurance reimbursement has not kept pace. Without adequate reimbursement many independent, “mom and pop” pharmacies can’t afford to absorb the price increases, like their bigger chain-store brothers, and have had to close shop. In many cases, these independent pharmacies are in small towns and their closure leaves residents without easy access to the medicines they need.