North Star Health Opened Three New Pharmacies
The health center launched new locations in Springfield, Londonderry, and Charlestown to improve local drug access.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Healthcare
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North Star Health has opened three new pharmacies across Vermont and New Hampshire to address regional care gaps. The expansion follows a wave of pharmacy closures in the area, including the shuttering of multiple Smilin' Steve's Pharmacy sites earlier this year.
Why it matters
The organization established these sites to meet patient requests and bolster primary care funding through pharmacy profit margins. By integrating these pharmacies with medical clinics, North Star Health aims to stabilize pharmaceutical access in communities that have seen a decline in service options.
North Star Health now operates three new pharmacies following a period where Vermont lost 28 pharmacies between 2019 and 2024. Nationally, three companies processed 80% of prescription claims in 2025.
The players
North Star Health
This is a Federally Qualified Health Center that operates a network of medical clinics throughout Vermont and New Hampshire.
Smilin' Steve's Pharmacy
This pharmacy chain recently closed several locations in Vermont, contributing to the broader reduction of pharmacy access in the region.
The details
North Star Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, utilizes the 340b drug pricing program to secure medications at discounted rates. These new pharmacy operations are integrated directly into the organization's existing network of primary care and behavioral health clinics.
Timeline
Vermont lost 28 pharmacies between 2019 and 2024.
The Vermont Board of Pharmacy reported on pharmacy access in 2024.
Three companies processed 80% of national prescription claims in 2025.
Smilin' Steve's Pharmacy closed multiple Vermont locations in May 2026.
The official ribbon cutting for the three new pharmacies occurred on September 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
North Star Health leverages the 340b drug pricing program to generate profit margins that help offset the cost of providing essential primary care services. This model positions the health center to maintain clinical operations in areas where traditional commercial pharmacies have retreated due to market consolidation.
Patients in Springfield, Londonderry, and Charlestown may now access pharmaceutical services directly integrated with their existing primary care clinics. This change potentially provides a more reliable local option for filling prescriptions following recent regional store closures.
The takeaway
The expansion demonstrates how non-profit health centers can use federal pricing programs to fill gaps left by commercial pharmacy chains. Residents in underserved regions should check if their local primary care clinic now offers on-site prescription services to streamline their health management.
Further reading
Learn more about local medical developments in Vermont Healthcare.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VTDigger.
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