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NASHVILLE — Regional chain executives met in here for the annual Southern Drug Store Association meeting held August 2– 6, 2023. Hartig Drug Co., the countries longest continuously family-owned chain of pharmacies, hosted the meeting. Fourth generation pharmacist and owner, Charlie Hartig, CEO of Hartig Drug, was joined by his brother Wes Hartig, CEO of Med-One Pharmacy Benefit Solutions, and father Dick Hartig, chairman of Hartig Drug Co. and long-time leader in community pharmacy.
Executives represented the following chains; Lewis Drug, Kinney Drug, Hi-School Pharmacy, Fruth Pharmacy, Hometown Pharmacy, Hartig Drug, Osborne Drug, Auburn Pharmacy, Sav-On Pharmacies, Drug Emporium, and ExpressRx Pharmacy. Sponsors included Cardinal, Centor, McKesson and Pharmacists Mutual.
The three-day meeting kicked off with a roundtable discussion with FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya. Members discussed aspects of pharmacy that were being impacted by vertical integration, PBM practices and the critical ways that regional pharmacies meet the needs of the communities they serve. Commissioner Bedoya was able to ask questions and get specific input on areas of interest and concern.
The meetings focused on current topics of both concern and opportunities in pharmacy. Areas of discussion included DIR fees and the legislative landscape for reform, state and federal policy, the emergence of GLP1 drugs, and ways to continue to provide the excellent patient care and customer service and personal care. The group also discussed staffing challenges and solutions, trends in pharmacy school enrollment and other topics of interest.
Members shared best practices around advertising, operational strategies and human resource related topics. In addition to the reginal chain executives and decisionmakers, Patrick Berryman, SVP and COO of NCPA was an invited guest. The group had many hours of meaningful discussion, but they also found a time to meet with sponsors at meals and enjoy an afternoon of golfing at the Gaylord Golf Resort.
Jack Holt, CEO of Hi-School Pharmacy, shared “this is one of the most meaningful meetings I attend each year.” Jon Grice of Hometown Pharmacy commented, “I always leave this meeting with at least two or three ides that I think will significantly improve my stores.” At dinner on Saturday night, Charlie Hartig signed the SDSA Napkin that has been passed down over many years of the meeting. Signers have included, Dick Hartig, Happy Harry’s, Long Drug, Kerr Drug, and many other regional chains from over 25 years ago. In handing off the napkin, Charlie announced that the Host for next year would be Fruth Pharmacy. For information about membership in Southern Drug or opportunities to sponsor in 2024, contact Lynne Fruth at Fruth Pharmacy.
