Notice of Closing

Effective Feb. 10, 2026, pharmacies are required to provide a public notice of “permanent discontinuance” at least 30 days in advance of closing.[1] Creating a new section 6811-d in the Education Law, the statute does not distinguish independent pharmacies from the large corporate chains, apparently applying to both. The Senate sponsor’s memo explains that upon closing prescriptions may be transferred to pharmacies that are not convenient for the patient and that patients have the privilege of choosing their pharmacy.

The law provides that the notice shall be made to patients who have had a prescription filled within the previous year through the “primary means of communication with such pharmacy”, and a notice “conspicuously posted” in a place where prescriptions are presented, in the waiting area, or the area where prescriptions are dispensed. The notice must state the date of closing, identities and contacts for the five nearest pharmacies, instructions on transferring, and information on “disposition” of the prescriptions in the absence of a transfer. Though not explicitly stated in the new law, other provisions of §6811 are misdemeanor crimes that could result in a criminal conviction and potentially professional misconduct charges for failing to comply.

[1] Laws of New York 2025, Chapter 633.

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