Independent Pharmacies Play Crucial Role in Serving Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, independent pharmacies played a crucial role in serving their communities, as exemplified by the experiences shared by Tom DePietro, PharmD, owner of DePietro's Pharmacy. The most challenging decision was shutting down traditional pharmacy operations and transitioning to a curbside service model. Demonstrating remarkable adaptability, the pharmacy creatively solved logistical challenges by recruiting local high school football players to assist with curbside order management.

Vaccine distribution emerged as a critical and complex endeavor. The pharmacy actively advocated for inclusion in vaccine allocation programs, even enlisting patients to write letters of support to local elected officials. Despite initial bureaucratic hurdles and constantly changing distribution guidelines, the pharmacy remained committed to its community. Staff worked tirelessly, conducting vaccine clinics at various locations including the local YMCA, high-rise senior living facilities, and local businesses, often working outside standard business hours to ensure widespread vaccination.

The pandemic highlighted the essential yet often underappreciated role of independent pharmacies. Beyond vaccine administration, the pharmacy became a comprehensive community resource, providing hard-to-find items like masks, hand sanitizers, and thermometers. This period underscored the importance of flexibility in health care, with the pharmacy demonstrating an ability to pivot quickly—a strength often lacking in larger chain pharmacies.

DePietro reinforces key lessons about health care operations: perfect planning is impossible, and adaptability is crucial. The pharmacy's approach emphasized agile planning, community partnerships, and a dedication to serving local needs. By rising to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmacy not only maintained critical health care services but also significantly increased public awareness and appreciation of the vital role independent pharmacies play in community health and emergency response.

"The general public has never really been too much exposed of what pharmacists or what independent pharmacies do for their community," DePietro said. "We are always rising to the top for our community, like many independent pharmacies across the country, so I just think COVID gave us the ability to truly show the communities what we do for our customers in our area."