A Rebirth of the Family Drugstore

A generation ago whether you wanted to have a prescription filled, or just enjoy a refreshing milk shake, you went to the corner drug store. Today, with the rise of large retail chain stores, the "Mom and Pop" pharmacy has all but disappeared in some parts of the country, and facing stiff competition in others. According to Joe Smith President of the National Community Pharmacists Association, "For years independent pharmacies have existed providing their customers and patients with care. But over the years a lot of people have wanted to deliver the product of pharmacy or prescriptions and so we've had competition from chains and supermarkets and other forms of delivery."

Many consumers want and appreciate the individualized care that can be received at an independent pharmacy, yet demand access to the latest in pharmaceuticals and state of the art home medical supplies. By working with specialized distributors, small stores like Beringer's Drugs in Warsaw Kentucky are finding ways to offer their customers what they believe to be the best of both worlds. Pharmacist Jennifer Grove explains: "I think a family pharmacy is not just a place where you drop off a prescription and it's silently filled, we feel that's not what a family pharmacy is. A family pharmacist is someone who knows you when you come in the door, who says hello Margaret how are you today. It's definitely more of a relationship with a patient then just that prescription piece of paper that comes through the window. I rely on my distributors to be able to service the needs of my customers. With most of my distributors, well with all of them, if I need something they would do everything they could to make sure I got it, and they provide information as much as they provide product."

The distributors give the independent and community pharmacy the buying power and access of the "big guys". "What distributors do is they do a lot of specialty buying for a pharmacy, like for products that they can't get from the large wholesalers, that the wholesalers don't want to carry because they don't want to carry one or two pieces - distributors will find those products from brokers throughout the country so that the retail pharmacy has that for their customers." Says Dan McCarthy, Director of Retail Purchasing for Cobb Rx.

Customers of the Beringer's such as Sandra Murell are seeing this advantage. She has been consulting with the Beringers regarding her medicinal needs and overall healthcare for several years. "I shop at a family pharmacy because I feel confident with them. You could come in; you can have a nice rapport with them. They explain things to you about your medicine, and I think actually there is less of a chance of having an accident or getting the wrong medicine, cause they take up more time with you and talk to you."

From a patient's Bill of Rights to drug benefits for seniors, legislatures and medical professionals are recognizing the need to improve healthcare. And while there may not be one prescription that can fix all that is ailing the system, for some communities the independent pharmacy may be just what the doctor ordered.