CARE expands into Vermont

ALEXANDRIA, Va. CARE Pharmacy, based just outside the nation’s capital, announced Tuesday its entry into the Vermont market by attracting one of the state’s most successful community pharmacy owner operators, Steve Hochberg, to the company’s franchise model.

Hochberg owns and operates 3 stores in his immediate market, Rutland Pharmacy, Springfield Pharmacy and newly opened Manchester Pharmacy.

CARE is currently evaluating additional new markets including Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. “CARE’s unique structure and value proposition are attracting successful and forward thinking owner operators who understand what the pharmacy market values, and how a highly compliant group like CARE can leverage its buying power at levels individual entities cannot,” the company stated.

“We are excited about the addition of these fine community pharmacies, and that a respected community pharmacy thought leader like Hochberg has determined CARE is the right environment for his stores,” stated CARE chief executive officer Gerry Crocker. “It is confirmation that our model represents access to contracts and services critical to keeping stores profitable and in a position that enables their growth to continue.”

CARE Pharmacies is a leading independent pharmacy franchisor in the United States, with 50 shareholders throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington and more than $200 million in annual sales.