After reading his own obituary, Mark Twain reportedly told a reporter, "The report of my death has been greatly exaggerated."  The same can be said for independent community pharmacy.  It is far from dead.  If you look around carefully you'll see many pharmacies are making changes to their business model and doing quite well.  

One of the keys to their success appears to be they don't whine and complain.  They realize pharmacy is a health care profession.  Thus, as healthcare providers they realize they can provide services beyond dispensing.  In the last few months I have interviewed pharmacy owners that are:

1. Working with a company that coordinates care for insurance companies.  They train and certify  pharmacists.  The pharmacy then helps hypertension patients control their blood pressure.   The pharmacy gets paid, through the medical billing system, $150 for a 30 minute appointment based session and each patients gets multiple sessions.  

2. Coordinating with the State Health Department one pharmacy is working with elementary schools in the neighborhood to provide pediatric immunizations.  The shots are done at the school.  The program provides a decent margin and truly benefits the less fortunate students who get their shots.    

3. One owner has, over several years of hard work, progressed to the point where physicians refer specific patients to the pharmacy for a complete nutritional review.  The patient pays, out of pocket, for an appointment based evaluation and then purchases high-grade nutraceuticals from the pharmacy.  SOAP notes are taken and a written treatment plans are provided to the referring physician.  

4. Then there is compounding.  Pet meds, pediatric dosing and hormone replacement seem to be the most common.  Owners tell me once a few doctors in the area begin to understand the value of customized medications that compounding can be professionally rewarding, and profitable.

5. One owner I spoke with is working with a grant program and has hired a community health worker.  This person makes home visits and helps patients organize all their health care appointments, facilitates medication compliance and helps people overcome other barriers to good health.  

I called on my first pharmacy 50 years ago as a "detail man" for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.  As a brand new salesman I was amazed at how many pharmacy owners felt the profession was doomed.  The BIG fear, chains!!! 

Fifty years later, I say, "The reports of the demise of independent community pharmacy are greatly exaggerated."  Savvy pharmacy owners are doing new things and are finding success.  

                 Here's hoping something I said here will help you do more and be better.