CVS

[grtrx]

Originally Posted by Herf

We have a street with all three (CVS, Walgreens and RiteAid) right in a row on the same side of the street in the next town. Do Americans really ingest so many drugs that needs to happen?

Yes

over 4 BILLION prescriptions a year, 67000 licensed pharmcacies (which is more than drug stores)

There is probably a grocery store in that area filling prescriptions too

When I worked for my uncle 100-125 RXs a day was a big deal. Now a CVS can churn out 400-600 or way more.

[Briandg]

Originally Posted by grtrx

brian both walgreeens and CVS buy small chains and individual stores to get the prescription files.

The first of the Skaggs Drugs (formerly a katz) that I worked for closed outright. We sold our prescription files to May's City. At that time, we had been the power players in the field. There was a single walgreens, a kmart, and a walmart. A few independents.

In the 5-10 years before closure, every grocery store in town installed pharmacies. Walmart expanded to four stores. May's built two more locations. The limited money in prescriptions was spread as thin as tissue. My pharmacy was open until 9 weeknights, and they sat on their asses reading all night.

Buying our files was a waste of money, IMO, there were very few people coming there for maintenance drugs.

The real irony is that the only surviving companies from that time are walmart and walgreens. They are literally 50% or more of the city's drug business, I believe. We have only got Target, a grocery store, and a few independents left.

Like every other aspect of retail, all that is left of the pharmacy business here has been vacuumed up by the big volume dealers. It's a natural process, but god, I hate this.

[Briandg]

Something I forgot. One of the hospital systems opened up their own pharmacy. Right down the road from the hospital, in what was once the medical complex, it is literally one of the only surviving businesses left from the tornado. Three or four medical practices across the street survived.

They had a great plan, there were hundreds, literally hundreds of doctors within spitting distance, and their business was thriving because people knew they were there and chose them rather than driving farther.

[grtrx]

Hospitals and clinics usually own pharmaices for a couple of reasons, and the proximity to prescribers makes it a natural fit

[Briandg]

as far as I understand, a pharmacy is not a high percentage profit making center, but it is a way to turn a lot of money over at a realistic margin, and make volume and profit with only 2-300 square feet of floor.

Something else I just remembered is that one of the mental health clinics had an onsite dispensary. At first I thought it was a shameless money grab, then after further thought, I realized that it was a huge service to the thousands of poor and frequently dysfunctional people that went through those doors. They have to take public transport or walk to the clinic, isn't it good that they can then avoid a trip to the pharmacy to get their antipsychotics?

Sometimes cynicism stands in the way of discovering better things.

[grtrx]

there is a reason for convenience, and that is a reason many hospitals with indigent patients have clincis that dispense prescriptions - an effort to make sure they get their medications

[grtrx]

CVS runs on a 3.5% -ish net Profit margin... consumer service industry is usually closer to 5%

their net income was about 4500 million dollars, so they do make it up in volume

[Herf]

Originally Posted by grtrx

Yes

over 4 BILLION prescriptions a year, 67000 licensed pharmcacies (which is more than drug stores)

There is probably a grocery store in that area filling prescriptions too

When I worked for my uncle 100-125 RXs a day was a big deal. Now a CVS can churn out 400-600 or way more.

Two grocery stores and I think the Home Depot fills prescriptions, too.

The industry must hate me. I don't take anything other than maybe three ibuprofen a year and that is only if I have to play golf for three straight day in a member-guest.

[grtrx]

they don't hate you, they await you're day of catching up...

[Herf]

Originally Posted by grtrx

they don't hate you, they await you're day of catching up...

I'm already 60. I don't think they are going to get me in their snare. I had one doctor try to kill me in my thirties and the only rule I have now is I won't take anything I can't be off of in 15 days.