5 Questions With a Pharmacist: Henry and Jade Ranger from The Prescription Shoppe

Henry, PharmD, and Jade, PharmD, Ranger have been the co-owners of The Prescription Shoppe in Williamsburg, Virginia, for 5 years. While ultimately focusing on providing their patients with valued care, Henry and Jade have also made it their duty to create a strong presence in their community. From their experience operating a Black-owned business to industry challenges they face on a daily basis, learn about what goes on behind the scenes at The Prescription Shoppe.

Henry was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and graduated from the Hampton University School of Pharmacy in 2011. He then took to Williamsburg to continue his pharmacy career, opening a Walmart Neighborhood Market pharmacy that won Pharmacy of the Year among all Walmart pharmacies in the country. Jade is from Bowie, Maryland, and is touted as an accomplished scholar, entrepreneur, and community leader. She too graduated from Hampton University School of Pharmacy and worked in big chain pharmacies for almost 10 years until she and her husband opened up their own business.

Read about their journey to success in the Virginia area and what it’s like owning a business as a husband-and-wife team.

Henry and Jade Ranger at The Prescription Shoppe in Williamsburg, Virginia | image credit: Jade Ranger

Drug Topics: What is the newest offering at your pharmacy that you think will increase customer engagement and/or overall revenue?

Henry and Jade Ranger: We opened a second location in September 2023—the closed-door, long-term care pharmacy is our newest endeavor. Whether partnering with local senior living communities, group homes, or serving our long-term care at-home patients, The Prescription Shoppe has increased our revenue while filling a serious need within our community.

Drug Topics: What is one of the biggest challenges you face in today’s pharmacy industry?

Henry and Jade Ranger: Without question, our biggest challenge is PBMs and their DIR fees. We are constantly having to reinvent the wheel and incorporate additional cash-based services to combat the detrimental effects of unfair reimbursement practices.

Drug Topics: What are some things your pharmacy does to make the community feel welcomed?

Henry and Jade Ranger: At The Prescription Shoppe, we make it a point to engage with our community outside of the 4 walls of our full-service pharmacy. We do this by playing an active role within our community on a regular basis. If there’s a health fair, career day, or community event, we are there. Because our community has an opportunity to interact with us in various settings, they have come to know and trust us on a deeper level. For them, entrusting us with their pharmaceutical care is a no-brainer.

Drug Topics: Both on the business and personal side of things, what is it like to operate a business with your spouse while living in the Greater Williamsburg community?

Henry and Jade Ranger: Owning and operating a small business together has been both challenging and rewarding at the same time. We are able to collaborate in so many ways and we consistently fill in the gaps for each other. What one may be lacking, the other overcompensates for and vice versa. Sharing this experience has definitely brought us closer together as a couple and as a family. We work hard and push each other harder, but when it’s all said and done, we have a common purpose and we are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

Drug Topics: What does it mean to you to be a successful Black-owned business?

Henry and Jade Ranger: Opening the first, Black-owned pharmacy in Williamsburg, Virginia, was no easy feat. In fact, we often wondered if we’d be accepted and supported as a young Black couple from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU), with no roots in the Greater Williamsburg area. While we had our doubts initially, this community has completely embraced us and cheered us on. Although Williamsburg is increasingly becoming more diverse, it is still predominantly white. The success of The Prescription Shoppe has shown us the value of how you treat people. When you show folks genuine love and respect, and you take good care of them, the outcome transcends race and ethnicity, social status, religious background, and sexual orientation. We have definitely played a role in bringing our community together—especially throughout the pandemic and the racial reckoning that took place after the murder of Mr. George Floyd. Everything hasn’t been smooth sailing. We’ve definitely had our fair share of critics, doubters, and haters. With that being said, the overwhelming majority of our community has consistently supported us and wished us well.

If you or a pharmacist colleague is interested in being featured in Drug Topics’ 5 Questions With a Pharmacist series, please send all inquiries to editors@drugtopics.com.

READ MORE: 5 Questions With a Pharmacist: Michael and Joan Kim from Grubb’s Pharmacy

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