Bartell Drugs will discontinue filling DSHS/Medicaid prescriptions at its Bellevue Village location due to recent reductions in compensation from the state of Washington.

Also affected at Bartell pharmacies in Bridle Trails and Houghton (both in Kirkland) and Bella Bottega and Redmond Town Center (both in Redmond).

The effective date of the change is Feb. 1.

The industry pricing standard was reduced as a result of a court decision in Massachusetts, resulting in reductions in payments to pharmacies, according to George D. Bartell, chairman and CEO of the Seattle-based family-owned drugstore chain.

Bartell said lengthy discussions between pharmacy

industry leaders and the state Department of Social and Health Services, along with subsequent legal actions, have failed to resolve the issue thus far.