NCPA video series showcases value independents deliver to their communities

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday released its latest online video illustrating the personal care that people receive at independent community pharmacies, the contributions of community pharmacists to better coordinated health care and how small business pharmacies support their local communities.



The video was produced in conjunction with Live Oak Bank and profiles Theresa Tolle, owner of Bay Street Pharmacy, which serves the Sebastian, Fla. area with the motto, “Where caring people care for you.” The video emphasizes the superlative care provided by community pharmacies and complements a previous video, also produced by Live Oak Bank and NCPA, featuring Danny Cottrell, that highlights the civic, philanthropic and economic contributions of independent community pharmacies.



“Patients often say they choose to rely on independent community pharmacies because they are treated like family and that they want to support their local community and economy,” stated Douglas Hoey, NCPA CEO. “Theresa’s story and the care provided by her pharmacy perfectly illustrate that dynamic. NCPA is proud to represent more than 22,000 independent community pharmacies like Theresa’s," he said. "I also want to give credit to Live Oak Bank. We appreciate their partnership and expertise in taking Theresa’s story and crafting an informative and entertaining video. Live Oak is a vital partner to independent community pharmacies in both their expansion plans and ownership transition.”



Bay Street Pharmacy is the only independent pharmacy in the Sebastian River area of approximately 45,000 people on Florida’s Atlantic coast, NCPA noted. In addition to filling prescriptions and counseling on medication use, the pharmacy offers a home health line of durable medical equipment products and specialty items for people with diabetes. The pharmacy hosts a diabetes club where each month trained experts help educate patients with diabetes about nutrition and exercise.



The video also illustrates how community pharmacists coordinate with other health care providers to close gaps in care and improve outcomes.



“I’m a firm believer that pharmacists are part of a team and that we all have to work as health care professionals with the patient to take really great care of them,” Tolle said.