In the summer of 2016, Jason Dykstra, PharmD. took the leap of faith and left his long-time position with a major grocery store pharmacy chain and opened his own independent pharmacy.  In this episode Dykstra talks about how he made this decision and shares several tips on what he has done to become successful so quickly.

In this 30-minute podcast Dykstra talks about how he and his wife worked together to create a pharmacy that was both functional and appealing.  The décor, layout and front-end product selection were all done with an eye towards making the pharmacy appealing and to provide items not easily sold by his chain competition.  This even included a special children’s play area.    

Dykstra discusses the importance of carefully monitoring inventory.  He also talks about how he often works with prescribers to help patients get a comparable medication at a lower co-pay; while, also often improving his margin.  Dykstra points out that pharmacy is both a business and a profession and emphasizes that, as an owner, “If you can’t keep the doors open then the people you care for won’t benefit from the care you provide.”

Included are comments on a specific vendor he uses to search for better prices from a variety of suppliers.  He also talks about how important it is to know who your “key” customers are and coaching the staff on how to make sure these people are well taken care of as they not only purchase more, and more profitable items but they are the people who tell others about how great your pharmacy is. 

Jason’s success with his first independent pharmacy has gone so well that in Dec. 2020 he opened a second location about 20 miles away in another rural community and has already started the process of getting permits to refurbish a building in a third town with hopes of opening a pharmacy there late in 2021.