Writing an Rx for Success at Wooster Prescription Center

  • By Lisa Amstutz
  • December 20, 2010
  • 286
                        
As one of the few remaining independent pharmacies in Wayne County, Wooster Prescription Center is something of an endangered species. At first glance the store, which is located in the former Dunkin' Donuts building, looks like any other small drugstore with its array of medicines, gummy bears, hairbrushes and toothpastes. If you spend a few minutes observing, however, it quickly becomes evident that there is something special about this place. This is a place where people know your name. One customer after another enters and exchanges cheerful greetings with pharmacist and owner Randy Crawford, who seems to know nearly all of them. “Probably 95% of people who come in know my first name—I’m not just ‘hey you behind the counter,’” he said. Plates of Christmas cookies lining the back counter attest to his customers’ appreciation. Crawford’s relational approach to pharmacy was shaped early in his career, when he worked at an independent pharmacy in Worthington run by golfer Jack Nicklaus’ uncle, Bob Nicklaus. He took at least one of Bob’s prescriptions to heart. “Bob always said, ‘Every customer, you treat like your mother,’ and I’ve tried to follow that,” he said. When he moved to Wooster in 1987, Crawford worked at the former Revco pharmacy for a few years. He then purchased a Medicine Shoppe franchise, which he later sold back to the company. In July of 2006, he opened Wooster Prescription Center on West Liberty. Crawford feels that his independent status allows him much more interaction with his customers. “Working at a chain would probably be more financially rewarding, but I like what I do,” he said. “We’re losing that personal connection in so many areas of life.” Ironically, that loss of connection is happening at a time when it is needed more than ever. Medicines have changed greatly in the last 30 years, Crawford said. “Our arsenal is so much larger, but the side effects are greater too, because the medicines are stronger. The role of a pharmacist is even more important because of that.” Independent pharmacies face a unique set of challenges in addition to those common to any small business. “The trend is toward the big. It’s been forced on many people,” Crawford said. “The state has a law forcing employees to use mail-order. Many hospitals and companies have closed contracts requiring their employees to use certain pharmacies—they don’t allow us to compete. It really hurts when you lose customers who don’t want to leave but are forced to because of their insurance contracts.” While Wooster Prescription Center can’t always compete with the corporate giants on price, “What we have to offer is quality; fast, courteous service; and friendly faces, people you know,” Crawford said. They also offer a drive-up window and delivery in Wooster. In addition, Crawford does a lot of compounding; creating custom products that aren’t available commercially. This may include creating a liquid version of a medicine for a child, putting products into a topical cream or adjusting veterinary medicines for different species and sizes of animals. Not all pharmacies offer this service because it is time-consuming. Wooster Prescription Center is located at 235 West Liberty Street. Their hours are 9-6 daily and 9-1 on Saturday. For more information, call (330) 202-9081.


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