Boatwright Drug Named Top Pharmacy -- Family-Run Millington
Store Emphasizes Customer Service
Posted on: Saturday, 3 September 2005, 18:00 CDT
Boatwright Drug Co. of Millington was presented with the Grand Prize Pharmacy of the Year Award by McKesson Corp., a pharmaceutical distribution and supply chain management.
Each year, McKesson recognizes independent pharmacies that exhibit operational excellence, service-oriented business practices and technology innovation.
Independent pharmacies such as Boatwright Drug face stiff competition from major chains, mail order and mass merchandisers.
"It's getting tougher every day. When I came to Memphis it was a couple hundred (independent pharmacies), now it's just 12 of us," said Leroy Boatwright .
Boatwright Drug Co. is recognized for not only succeeding in the marketplace but also for having a strong commitment to serving the healthcare needs of the community with personal and efficient service.
"At Boatwright Drug, we specialize in customer service," said pharmacist Steven Boatwright, co-owner of Boatwright Drug. "As an independent, family-owned pharmacy, we treat our customers with the care they deserve and stay current with the latest McKesson technology that enables us to better serve our customers."
GA_googleFillSlotWithSize("ca-pub-5440138744487553", "News_Main_300x250", 300, 250); The pharmacy provides health and wellness screenings to the community, including screenings for osteoporosis, diabetes and cholesterol. Additionally, Boatwright Drug educates customers on diabetes and asthma, and offers flu immunizations.
A dedication to independent pharmacy runs in the Boatwright family. Leroy Boatwright opened Boatwright Drug in 1957, and son Steven is now co-owner. Peggy Boatwright, manages the finances. Four other family members are also pharmacists by profession.
"We struggled like everyone else starting out," said Peggy. "My husband wanted to go in business and he didn't have any money and we had one 5-month-old baby."
Peggy describes the first location they moved into as "a dump" that had been neglected by the former owners.
"We had to start out somewhere," she said.
In 1978, the store moved into its current location at 7899 C St.
Boatwright Drug has been an active part of the community since its inception. The pharmacy sponsors local events and baseball teams, as well as missionary trips for local physicians.
Leroy Boatwright has been a well-respected pharmacist in the area for more than 50 years. He and Steven Boatwright are members of both the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Tennessee Pharmacists Association.
Valu-Rite pharmacies across the country are eligible to win the Pharmacy of the Year award. McKesson Pharmacies of the Year are true leaders: they support their communities through pharmacy and educational programs. They also set a positive business management example for the independent pharmacy marketplace, by finding new and unique ways to increase profitability.
Pharmacy of the Year 2005 winners processed an average of 320 prescriptions per day. Boatwright averages about 1,000 orders a day, well above the national average of 190.
With no thought of retirement in mind, Leroy Boatwright can still be seen helping customers nearly everyday. He said the long hours and customers service are essential to staying competitive in a chain-dominated drugstore industry.
Kathleen Romo is a junior account executive for Scott Public Relations.
Source: Commercial Appeal, The
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Published: 2005/09/03 18:00CDT
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