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Rogers Drug Store: Where Education and Specialty Pharmacy Meet

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The role of the pharmacy in patient care is constantly changing. It’s all encompassing from offering trusted advice to filling prescriptions and providing transitional care assistance. It’s more important now than ever to expand pharmacy services to reach more members of the community.

Ben Prasad, R.Ph., owner and pharmacist-in-charge at Rogers Drug Store in Modesto, CA, and his staff have embraced this ideology. “Our mission is to help the surrounding community live in good health,” Prasad explained. Through educational opportunities offered at the pharmacy, great customer service, open communication and patient-oriented offerings, his business has adapted, evolved and thrived.

The roots of the pharmacy date back decades. It was founded in 1922 and was originally owned and operated by the Rogers family until 1991. That is when Prasad, a 1984 graduate of Washington State University, purchased the establishment. As Prasad explained, “The business was in the process of shutting down. I basically bought the store for its trusted name and reputation and started over. We built it from the ground up and started a new generation of pharmacy.”

The oldest pharmacy in Modesto is still in its original location. The pharmacy underwent a major renovation 10 years ago, but its physical appearance isn’t the only thing that was overhauled. “We completely changed the business model and moved from a retail pharmacy to a specialty/education pharmacy,” Prasad said. Rogers Drug Store works with the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy to further healthcare awareness and education. “We work specifically with two programs: pharmacy management and ambulatory care. These courses are taught right here at the pharmacy.”

Additionally, Rogers Drug Store is recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), as well as the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), for its efforts to advance education within the community and extend additional care to patients. The pharmacy even staffs a board-certified fitting specialist who works with mastectomy and lymphedema patients, as well as patients with varicose veins. “We are the only custom fitters in Modesto,” Prasad added.

Rogers Drug Store is a key member of the Modesto community. In conjunction with providing excellent care, continuing education and carrying a wide range of home medical equipment (HME), they provide a yearly Neighborhood Health Fair free of charge. “We offer a wide variety of screenings, consultations, tests and even flu vaccinations. We even have physicians onsite to help diagnose patients and answer questions. The health fair is something the community looks forward to each year,” he explained.

QS/1 has long been a part of Prasad’s success story. He began using QS/1 Pharmacy Management Systems as a pharmacist in 1985 and invested in QS/1 when he became the owner of Rogers Drug Store a few years later. “We have always enjoyed a good relationship with QS/1. The products are the best in the business and work seamlessly together. We have all the bells and whistles. I’m a big believer in QS/1; it’s the Cadillac of the pharmacy business,” he added. Prasad and his staff recently ventured into the world of pharmacy robotics. “We did lots of research before purchasing a robot and ended up adding RxMedic®. It has been a great move for us,” he stated.

“We practice what we preach in all we do, and that’s what makes us successful,” Prasad said. With his daughter graduating from St. Louis College of Pharmacy soon, it is his hope that she will take over the family business and move it to the next level. “The face of pharmacy is changing. It’s so much more than just dispensing drugs. Education is important to patient adherence and collaboration between doctors and pharmacists is essential for excellent overall patient care,” he stated.

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