Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Callahan.
Hi Jerry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my career as a pharmacist in a local supermarket chain and eventually became the pharmacy director overseeing 34 pharmacies, I bought my first independent pharmacy in 2001, eventually acquiring 7 more before I started to wind down. I helped open 3 pharmacies from scratch and the other 5 were existing pharmacies. I have been involved legislatively, pursuing bills to benefit pharmacy and patients. I am past President of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.
I am slowly working my way to retirement.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was until 2019, when DIR fees increased dramatically and reimbursements by the PBMs decreased significantly. Today, many claims are below the cost of the medication, which has resulted in many pharmacies closing up or not filling prescriptions if the loss is significant, forcing the patient to go elsewhere to get their medication. This results in access problems for, the patients, especially if their pharmacy has closed. This affects both chain and independent pharmacies. In addition, due to the rebates and other fees collected by the PBMs from the drug manufacturer, the price of prescription medications has increased so much that many patients can not afford their medications.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Medicine Shoppe are franchise pharmacies, We are offer more personalized service and offer many services like deliveries, special packaging, compounding, and charge accounts that the chains do not.
We are most proud of the service we provide and the level of customer service that we are known for.
As one company used to say, TRY US, YOU’LL LI,KE US.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
i have an identical twin brother, so we were both very competitive. I was interested in sports , and when I was able to, start doing jobs to earn money, then sports took a back burner. I excelled at math, and thought I would become a math teacher. Instead I followed my older brother into pharmacy as the pay seemed to be better.
Pricing:
- Many pharmacies today are forced to fill prescriptions below the cost of the medications
- Many patients can’t afford their medications due to the high cost of prescription medications in the United States due to the PBMs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elsberrymdicineshoppe.com
- Facebook: Elsberry Pharmacy
