Southern Drug Store Association’s 41st annual meeting brings 10 regional chains together

Leaders from 10 regional drug chains across the country gathered last week for the four-day Southern Drug Store Association meeting. 

Held Aug. 25 to 28, the event brought representatives from Hi-School Pharmacy, Drug Emporium, Hartig Drug, Fruth Pharmacy, Hometown Pharmacy of Michigan, Lewis Drug, Kinney Drugs, Sav-Mor, Care Pharmacies and Osborn Drug together in Sunriver, Ore., to share best practices from their pharmacy operations. 

“The Southern Drug meeting is one of the most valuable meetings that we attend,” said Lynne Fruth, president of Fruth Pharmacy. “Being able to collaborate and share best practices with colleagues makes all of our Regional Chains stronger. The presentations by each chain helped us see opportunities that Fruth can explore. Now, more than ever, Regional chains need to work together.”

The event included presentations from vendors, as well as presentations from each of the at-tending companies on topics of their choosing. It also featured round-table discussions about pressing issues in the industry, including reimbursement pressure, COVID-19 and pharmacies as a critical point of health access, especially in rural areas. 

“The participants who attend Southern Drug are some of the most dynamic individuals within community pharmacy,” said Brandon Peiffer. “Southern Drug has a history of creating an environment of brainstorming and inspiration that allows its members to focus on what is meaningful for growth. It is no coincidence that the groups that attend this event on an annual basis are also the ones who have been able to survive this difficult environment.”

This year’s event was hosted by Hi-School Pharmacy, who chose the location. In fall 2022, Lewis Drug will host the event. 

For information on how to get involved with the Southern Drug Store Association, contact Jack Holt, president of Hi-School Pharmacy, at 360-213-2232.