Emily Whitman: The Wrong Rx for America
I loved the local, independent pharmacy where I used to work. So did our customers. Sadly, their health will suffer now that we're gone.
By Emily Whitman
A few years ago, my husband and I bought a home in a sweet town in upstate New York full of small businesses. I took a job at the local pharmacy. I love it. I got to know my neighbors and felt part of the community.
The pharmacy has been here since the 1960s. On a typical day, at least three or four folks will pick up their medication, then spend a good ten minutes discussing soccer or fishing or their family with staff. We know every person by name. We deliver to a few of our elderly patients off the clock because they can’t always find a ride. We cut breaks to folks who are temporarily uninsured so they can still afford what they need. They trust us and we earn that trust every day.
It’s neighborly love. It’s heartwarming. It’s quaint.
It’s just been put out of business by CVS.
Independent pharmacies struggle to compete for various reasons, but the short version is that chains like CVS and Wa…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The First Person with Michael Judge to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.