Regional pharmacy retailer conference focuses on social media

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Social media was the biggest topic of discussion as regional retail pharmacy executives from around the country gathered last month for the Southern Drug Stores Association's annual meeting.

VP marketing Theron Andrews of Seattle-based Bartell Drugs gave a presentation on how to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to benefit customers' knowledge of pharmacy goods and services, while social media expert Phil Adikes was a featured speaker for the event, which took place at Keswick Hall at Monticello in Charlottesville, Va. from Aug. 8-11, drawing chains like Drug Emporium, Fruth Pharmacy, Hartig Drug, Kinney Drugs, Lifechek Drug, Sav-Mor Drugs, Sav-On Drugs, Red Cross Pharmacy and Ritzman Pharmacies. Sav-On Drugs CEO Bill Newman will be the new SDSA chairman next year, the group said.

"The time spent at Southern Drug always pays dividends for us," Fruth Pharmacy president Lynne Fruth said. "Looking at new product offerings and sharing best practices with other chains is invaluable. We always come back with products or a few new initiatives to implement, and the time we are able to spend with business partners is very beneficial."

Other events allowed extensive interactions between vendors and pharmacy executives.

"I can honestly say that this was one of the finest pharmacy business meetings I have ever attended," pharmacy technology manufacturer Kirby Lester's Christopher Thomsen said. "Granted, the location and facilities were first-rate, but the overall organization of this event and the quality of the meetings and social events were world-class."